Hundreds of Buddhist monks would take part in "Sebang and Choeskhar", a religious procession followed by chanting of hymns.

Other features of the festival include heritage show on tribes, costumes, jewellery and hairdo, flower and fireworks' shows and exhibitions.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is expected to join the inaugural function as chief guest.

Vehicles have been arranged for tourists to visit places of interest such as the China border and high altitude lakes, besides religious and pilgrimage places.

Cultural troupes from different parts of the northeast as well as from Bhutan would participate.

The army's 190 Mountain Brigade, stationed at Tawang, along with all their logistics support, is also taking part.

Terming the enthusiasm and participation in earlier editions as exemplary, Chief Minister Gegong Apang this year's four-day festival in the picturesque Tawang district would be of international standard.

"Tawang is ready to welcome the world," an official statement quoted Apang as saying.

During her visit, Gandhi besides visiting the 350-year-old Tawang Gompa (monastery) would also lay the foundation stones of 1500 MW Tawang Hydro Electric Project of NHPC and its College of Science and Technology, Arts and Commerce at Tawang.