SANTIRBAZAR, Jan 20 (TIWN): Like every year, 3-day Pilak Archaeological and Tourism Festival will be started on January 20 and it would be continued till January 22. It is one of the most attractive festivals for the peace loving people of Tripura. Pilak Auditorium Hall was also going to be inaugurated this year on the eve of Pilak Festival.Last minute preparation is going with full swing.

To mark the festival, Santirbazar sub divisional administration  conducted a meeting at Jolaibari community hall. The meeting was presided over by the Sabhadipati of South Tripura Zilla Parishad- Himangshu Roy.

To make the festival grand success, one main committee and different sub-committees were formed in the meeting while MLA Yashbir Tripura and Sub- Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Santirbazar- were chosen as chairman and convenor of the main committee respectively.

The Managing Director of Tripura Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC)-, Senior Deputy Magistrate-, Block Development Officer (BDO) of Julaibari block- K.M. Sarkar and many others officers from various departments attended the meeting.

Pilak is a den of beautiful Hindu and Buddhist images that dates back to the 8th and 9th centuries. Various excavations in the area yielded these sculptures that were scattered about for 10 sq. kilometers.

The various archaeological findings inclusive of the images and terracotta plaques suggested the survival of both heterodox sects and creeds representing both Hinduism and Buddhism. Colossal stone images of Avolokiteshwar and Narasimha have been found here. Depend on that, at every year people of Jolaibari, South Tripura district observe Pilak archaeological and tourism festival for 3 days every year.