Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority (APTA) is all set to host Punnami Orvakal, the first ever Full Moon Festival at Orvakal, around 350kms away from Bengaluru in the picturesque Orvakal Rock Garden, Kurnool, commencing on June 9.
(Punnami Festival Credit: Mera Events)
Punnami Orvakal that coincides with Eruvaka Purnima, a local festival celebrated by farmers welcoming the Monsoons promises to be an exciting extravaganza with many live shows, video installations, adventure engagements, multi-event venues and grand carnival parade. Keeping in view the tastes of the upmarket crowd, high-end fast food joints such as Subway and Dominos will also be available for the three-day extravaganza.
“The first ever Full Moon Festival 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,” said APTA CEO, Himanshu Shukla.
The three-day festival will kick off on June 9 amidst one of the oldest rock formations in the world, Shukla added. It will be a perfect occasion to bid summer in style on a vast stretch of 200 acres festival land as the moon will be at its fullest, brightest and dazzling.
“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,” said director, Violet Worldwide, A Balram Babu, who is managing the entire event on behalf of APTA.
No holes in pockets
Accommodation will be given in categories of Platinum, Gold and Silver arenas and tickets are priced Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively for food and lodging of four persons for two days. “Orvakal is one of the best-kept secrets of Andhra Pradesh. We want people in and around Bengaluru and Karnataka to know and explore this place which has many things to offer,” said Shukla.
“The Andhra Pradesh Tourism welcomes tourists 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,” Shukla added. Online booking facility is available on Book My Show and Mera Events.
Accomodation @ Punnami Orvakal festival
“Air-conditioned well-furnished tented accommodation with all modern comforts will accommodate the visitors. As many as 100 tents have been procured from the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, the ones used in the Rann Utsav,” said Shukla informing that nearly 30 tents have already been booked.
More than 500 guests have already booked their seats. That apart, local crowd is also expected to throng the occasion.
Key attractions
Live performances by one of the most sought after actresses Shobana will be a special attraction besides Indian Idol Winner, Revanth. Akshar, The Band and Black Sheep will enthral guests with their live band performances. Besides, Venetian Carnival, Mind Reader Mohit Rao and Illusion shows are also scheduled to be held.
For those needing adrenaline rush tethered hot air balloon ride, rock climbing, river crossing, indoor bungee trampoline, rappelling, zipline/flying, water walking, rope courses, rock trek, paramotoring, mash machine and many more.