RATNANAGAR (Chitwan), Dec 26: An elephant festival has kicked off in Sauraha of Chitwan on Monday with a view to boosting up local tourism.

The festival, aimed at prolonging stay of tourists in the town, is organized coinciding with Christmas and the English New Year, according to Regional Hotel Association, Chitwan, the event organizer.

The festival began with the eye-catching procession of bedecked elephants that originated from the eastern sector of the Chitwan National Park and passed through Sauraha. A Tharu cultural rally was also the part of the inaugural session of the festival.

The nine various programs including elephant 'fast walk' tournament, elephant Polo, a football match among elephant calves, cart race, elephant painting, picnic for elephants, a cultural program and a boat riding competition are the parts of the festival, Association Secretary Rammani Khanal said.

The festival is the continuity of the Elephant Race Tournament that used to be held in Sauraha 12 years ago. RSS 

 
• elephant festival
 
• sauraha