Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Aizawl: Mizoram kicked off its inaugural Pluck and Pay Festival on September 23. The three-day event runs through September 25 in the Tualte and Chawngtlai villages of Khawzawl district. Visitors can walk into local farms, pick their own fruits and vegetables, and pay for the haul. The Mizoram Tourism Department and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Khawzawl, organized the project.
The event connects travelers directly to farming families. Tourism Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said the initiative intends to put cash into the pockets of the local population. "The future of tourism is not only about taking visitors to places; it is about creating value for the people who make those places worth visiting," Hmar said.
The program includes traditional music, dance, local food, handicrafts, and Mizo games. Guests can also visit nearby historical sites. This model encourages growth for homestays, transport, and guides. The state government hopes this circulation of money keeps wealth within the villages.
This festival starts the 2026 calendar. Other upcoming events include the Anthurium Festival, Hnahsin Kût, Mizoram Travel Fest, and the Leitlangpui Music Festival. Additional dates feature the Winter Festival, Tlaizawng Paradise Festival, and the Sakawrhmuituai Sunset Event. Tourism is surging in the region. Records show 6,79,607 total visits between April and December 2025, with 9,606 of those from foreign travelers.
Updated at 24th September 2026 at 10:01am
The state government specified locations for key upcoming events on the 2026 calendar. The Anthurium Festival takes place in Reiek, Hnahsin Kut is set for Champhai, and the Travel Fest hits Aizawl.
Official records presented to the Mizoram Legislative Assembly show tourism numbers jumped significantly last year. The state logged 8,41,322 total arrivals in 2025, a massive climb from the 4,27,302 visitors reported in 2024.
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