Uttarakhand is set to host its largest youth-led adventure and cultural celebration, “Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival” (HO₂–TTLF), from March 6 to 9, 2026, positioning Tehri Lake as a key hub for winter and experiential tourism in the Himalayan region.
Organised by the district administration of Tehri Garhwal in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), the four-day festival forms part of the state’s broader Gham Tapo Tourism initiative — a winter tourism campaign launched to promote year-round visitation across Uttarakhand.
Billed as a celebration where “freedom meets the mountains,” the festival aims to transform Tehri Lake and surrounding destinations into a vibrant centre for adventure sports, music, arts, culture and local heritage. Set against the Himalayan foothills, the event is designed to attract youth travellers, families and adventure enthusiasts, while also strengthening the region’s tourism economy.
This year’s edition will feature performances by artists such as Pandavaas and Amit Trivedi, adding a major live-music draw to the programme.
Nitika Khandelwal (IAS), District Magistrate of Tehri Garhwal, said the 2026 edition would expand beyond the lakefront to include activities across major tourist sites in the district. “The festival will not be limited to Tehri Lake. Activities will also be organised at key tourist destinations across the district so that prominent spots become centres of tourism activity during the festival,” she said.
More than 100 hotels across the district have partnered with the administration to provide accommodation support, with dedicated room allocations for festival dates.
Under the tagline “Breathe the Himalayas,” the festival will introduce eight trekking routes in the region, with local youth trained as guides to accompany visitors. The initiative aims to create employment opportunities while enhancing visitor safety and experience.
Khandelwal added that the festival aligns with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s vision of transforming Uttarakhand into a year-round tourism destination. Initiatives such as Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival, Winter Char Dham, adventure activities and eco-tourism are part of this broader strategy to reduce seasonal dependence and expand tourism beyond peak pilgrimage months.
The festival programme spans competitive and participatory events including photography and painting contests, Master Chef Tehri, river rafting competitions, rap and music battles, and a range of adventure sports such as trekking, paragliding, mountain biking and kite festival events.
Cultural and awareness initiatives will also feature prominently, including “Save Ganga” themed programmes, heritage showcases, Ganga Aarti ceremonies, local food stalls and community exhibitions aimed at promoting the region’s traditions and sustainable tourism messaging.
Positioned as the district’s flagship celebration of adventure and creativity, Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival is expected to draw athletes, artists, performers and youth participants from across India.
For Uttarakhand, the event serves not only as a cultural gathering but as a strategic tourism intervention designed to boost winter footfall, generate local employment and reinforce the state’s positioning as a multi-season Himalayan destination.
