The observatory tower at Tashi View Point in Gangtok. Picture by Ashit Rai

Namchi, Oct. 23: A more pressing work in Delhi had forced Union minister of state for tourism Renuka Chowdhury to cancel her visit here. Chief minister Pawan Chamling therefore inaugurated Namchi Mahotsav.

The annual tourist festival of the South district, which was opened yesterday, is being held at two different venues this time ? Namchi town and Kazitar.

The chief minister also inaugurated Namchi Rock Garden and an annexe building of the district administration yesterday.

The Namchi fest is being held to highlight the cultures and traditions of the ethnic communities in the state, a step the government feels will help attract more tourists.

Organised by the district administration and the state tourism department, Namchi Mahotsav will end on Tuesday.

The South district headquarters has been decorated with flowers as visitors to the three-day fest saw chrysanthemums, dendrobiums and some 15 categories of flowers in full bloom all over the town. A competition was also held to determine the best bloom.

A florist from Darjeeling bagged the first prize of Rs 30,000. The prize money for the second and third places were Rs 15, 000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Consolation prizes of Rs 5,000 each were handed over to five persons.

Traditional houses of the Nepalis, Bhutias and the Lepchas have been erected in the main bazaar as part of the festival. Some 10 stalls ? representing various communities and their tradition, culture, dress, food and lifestyle ? have also been set up.

Several cultural programmes were also held yesterday, jointly by the state cultural affairs and heritage department and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Calcutta.

Troupes from Assam and Orissa performed there.

Today, Chamling inaugurated the observatory tower at Tashi View Point in Gangtok. This will be a new spot for those wishing to take a peek at the magnificent view of the peaks, the landscape and the early morning sunrise.

The observatory tower, located on North Sikkim Highway at a height of 6000 feet, has been constructed by the state tourism department at a cost of Rs 58 lakh. Of the total amount, the Union tourism ministry had contributed Rs 40 lakh. The rest had come from state funds.

The four-storeyed building has a restaurant, a tower library and a caf?.

Secretary-cum-commissioner of Sikkim tourism department Alok K. Shrivastava said large binoculars and telescopes would be installed at the tower shortly.