Sri Vijaya Puram, June 16: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration is set to launch a three-day Monsoon Carnival from June 26 to 28, bringing together tourism, culture, sports, cuisine and community participation in a bid to promote the islands as a year-round destination.
Organised by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Education Department, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Institutions Department, Tribal Welfare Department, Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council and other allied departments, the event seeks to highlight the unique experiences that emerge across the islands during the monsoon season.
Officials said the carnival has been designed to showcase the natural beauty, cultural diversity and local traditions that remain largely unexplored by visitors during the rainy months. Through a mix of sports competitions, food festivals and digital engagement activities, the administration hopes to encourage both residents and tourists to participate in and celebrate the season.
One of the major attractions of the carnival will be the Beach Sports Fest under the banner #VictoryVibes, featuring a knockout beach volleyball tournament at Corbyn’s Cove Beach. The tournament will be held on June 26 and 27 between 3 pm and 8 pm and will include competitions in both categories. The event is expected to draw sports enthusiasts, youth groups and spectators to one of the islands’ most popular beachfront destinations.
The administration has also announced a Reel Making Competition titled #MonsoonMomentsANI, inviting participants to capture the beauty of the islands during the monsoon season through short-form video content. Open to all age groups, the competition requires participants to submit original reels created within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Entries must be between 30 and 90 seconds in duration and align with the theme of showcasing the islands during the rainy season.
According to the guidelines, submissions will be judged on creativity, originality, storytelling, visual quality, editing, relevance to the theme and audience engagement. Participants can submit their entries through the official tourism Instagram handle.
Another key component of the carnival will be the Monsoon Food Fest – #MonsoonFlavours, scheduled to be held at the ITF Ground from June 26 to 28. The event will feature participation from registered hotels, restaurants, street food vendors, self-help groups, state associations, government departments and other stakeholders.
The food festival is expected to provide a platform for local culinary traditions and seasonal delicacies while offering entrepreneurs and community groups an opportunity to showcase their products to a wider audience. Organisers believe the event will also support local businesses and strengthen community engagement in tourism-related activities.
Application forms for participation in the food festival can be downloaded from the Tourism Department’s website and submitted to the department by June 23. Registrations for the beach volleyball tournament will remain open until June 24, while entries for the reel-making competition must be submitted by June 25.
Tourism officials said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to diversify tourism experiences beyond the peak travel season and encourage visitors to explore the islands throughout the year. The monsoon season, often associated with lush greenery, dramatic seascapes and cooler weather, offers a distinct experience that differs from the traditional tourism narrative centred on beaches and water sports.
By combining sports, culture, food and digital storytelling, the administration aims to create a festival atmosphere that celebrates the changing season while promoting local talent, traditions and businesses.
The Monsoon Carnival is expected to attract participants from across the islands and serve as a platform to showcase the region’s cultural vibrancy and tourism potential during one of its most scenic periods.
