Hyderabad :The Andhra Pradesh state is all set to host Punnami Orvakal, the first ever full moon festival at Orvakal, 215kms away from Hyderabad in Orvakal Rock Garden at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.

 Disclosing this, addressing the press conference In city today, Mr. G. Gopal, Regional Director, A.P Tourism , Government of Andhra Pradesh said “the first ever Full Moon festivals to be celebrated at one of the Best Kept Secrets of the State of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh Tourism has explored many venues across the State. These 3 Billion-year-old rock formations are the ideal weekend getaway for Hyderabad, Bengaluru tourists”.

Organized under the aegis of Andhra Pradesh Tourism, Govt of Andhra Pradesh and the festival will be managed by Violet Worldwide.

The three-day festival will commence on June 9 on a grand-scale amidst the rock formations, considered being one of the oldest rock formations in the world, Mr. Shukla added. It will conclude on June 11.

Speaking further replying to questions from the media, G. Gopal said, the state has attracted Rs 8000crore investments in terms of MoUs to set up various tourism related projects such as Star Hotels, Resorts, Adventure Activities, MICE(Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) Centers, Heritage Hotels, Museums, Heli Tourism, Jungle Resorts,  on PPP mode.  27 Tourism projects are on the way of implementations, he added.

Nearly two million visitors both domestic and international visit Andhra Pradesh every year. Tourism is contributing 10 per cent to the GDP of AP State, which is slightly above the national average which stands at 7 per cent, Gopal informed. One the companies who signed MoUs set up the projects, the footfall is likely to go up many folds, he observed.

Our Tourism Policy will be improved further to make it more competitive and attractive. So we are contemplating of offering additional incentives. An announcement in this regard will be made by the Government very soon, Gopal informed.

Government is facilitating investments by giving government land as per the prevailing norms, helping them in land conversions on the time bound manner.  AP is going all out to attract investments.  We have divided the region into 5 hubs, Vizag, Kona Seema, Vijayawada, Tirupathi and Ananthapur to attract investments, he told.

The Rock Formations near Orvakal surfaced 3 billion years ago and are very unique in the world.  They are one of the oldest Rock Formations in the world. Orvakal surrounded by many centres of attractions like Ketavaram,  Belum Caves,  Gandikota. Ahobilam, Mantrayalam and Mahanandi. The festival will be an annual affair.  Based on the footfall and  response, we may even consider it making it a monthly also, Gopal informed.  We will expect nearly 10 to 15000 visitors to witness this festival, he added.

“The Full Moon festival is celebrated across the world. We wanted a weekend to coincide with the full moon. Fortunately, the timing of the local festival Eruvaka Poornima also adds significance to the event. We are confident that the importance of this place will grab public attention,” says Santosh, Director, Violet Worldwide, who is managing the entire event on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism.

A vast stretch of 200 acres of government land will host the event. Accommodation will be given in categories of Platinum, Gold and Silver arenas and tickets are priced accordingly. “Orvakal is one of the best-kept secrets of Andhra Pradesh. We want people in and around Hyderabad,Telangana, Andhra Pradesh,  Bengaluru and Karnataka to know and explore this place which has many things to offer,” says Himanshu Shukla

“The Andhra Pradesh Tourism welcomes people to be a part of this great and spectacular Festival to be held in a place that stood testimony for 3 Billion Years. It will be a never before experience for the select few participants”, added Mr. Shukla.

“An air-conditioned well furnished tented accommodation with all modern comforts will be provided to visitors. “We have procured 100 tents from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, the ones used in the Rann Utsav,” says Shukla informing that nearly 30 tents have already been booked.

500 registered guests are expected.  Besides them, the tourism officials are expecting the local crowd of over 5,000 people.

The tickets are priced at Rs. 15,000 (Platinum), Rs. 10,000 (Gold) and Rs.5,000 (Silver). It includes food and accommodation for two days for four persons.

The timing of the festival is significant. The date June 9th also coincides with ERUVAKA PURNIMA a Local Festival of many zones in South India, celebrated by Farmers and household to welcome the Monsoons.

The organizers have lined up live performances by Shobana, one of the most sought after actresses and dancers; Revanth, Indian Idol Winner, and several other singers.

Akshar The Band and Black Sheep will enthrall guests with their live band performances. Besides these performances, Venetian Carnival, Mind Reader Mohit Rao and Illusion Artists shows will be held

The other attractions include Tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride, Rock Climbing, River Crossing, Indoor Bungee Trampoline, Rappeling, Zipline/flying, Water Walking, Rope Courses, Rock Trek, Paramotoring,  Mash Machine and many more.

The festival promises to be an exciting extravaganza with many live shows, Video Installations, Adventure engagements/activities, Multi-event venues & Grand Carnival Parade. Airconditioned Breakout Tents, Mesmerising Arenas. For the Ease of many corporate and cosmopolitan crowd, many fast food joints such as Subway, Dominos & much more will be made available.

The venue has a restaurant, a cave museum, picnic area etc.

The nearby attractions to the festival include Ketavaram( 20minutes drive), Belum Caves(1.2hours drive), Gandikota(2.4hours drive), Ahobilam(2hours drive), Mantrayalam(2.3hours drive) and Mahanandi(1.2 hours drive)

Bookings for the festival can be made online through Book My Show, Mera Events