A khukuri dance at the fest. Picture by Vivek Singh

Mirik, Nov. 10: The Mirik lakeside festival began here today with the aim of promoting the beautiful town as an ideal tourist destination.

The fest is being held under the banner of the on-going Darjeeling Carnival, organised by Darjeeling Initiative ' a people's forum ' in association with The Telegraph.

On the first day, a huge cultural rally walked the streets of the town from Hospital Compound to Mirik Park, the lakeside venue for the fest. Lakhay dancers from the Newar community made up most of the rally, which included members from other communities as well as different social organisations.

Teacher-in-charge of Mirik High School Gajen Prasad Gurung inaugurated the festival after which various cultural shows, including khukuri, singay and classical dances, took centrestage.

Goupua, a cultural troupe from Orissa, and Chakra, a musical band from Darjeeling, entertained the crowd in the evening.