Aizawl: Mizoram’s biggest festival, Chapchar Kut, began on Thursday at the Assam Rifles ground in Lammual here with fanfare and cultural fervour.

Thousands of people in traditional attire thronged the venue on the opening day. The main celebration will take place on Friday across the state as the government has declared a public holiday.

Mizoram art and culture minister R. Romawia, who was Kut pa (father of the festival) on Thursday, hoped the festival will strengthen the unity and brotherhood among all communities. He urged the people to promote and revive their culture and traditions.

He appealed to all to be kind-hearted and open-handed. “As the saying goes, ‘one who hoards dies but who shares remains alive’, we should learn to love our fellow human beings and share with each other,” he said.

Different cultural troupes performed traditional music and songs while ancient practices and indigenous games were demonstrated by individuals and groups. Art and photography exhibitions, flower show, food fest and handloom show are being organised at the venue. A Chapchar Kut run was also organised in the morning. Zo descendants from Tripura, Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya also participated. Home minister R. Lalzirliana will be Kut pa while tourism minister John Rotluangliana will be Kut thlengtu (host) on Friday.