CITCO Turns International Tea Day Into a Citywide Celebration of Flavor and Tradition

There are few rituals in India as universal — or as comforting — as a cup of tea. Whether it is the first steaming sip on a slow morning, an evening conversation over pakoras, or a quick roadside chai break between errands, tea remains deeply woven into the country’s social fabric. This year, to mark International Tea Day, Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation Limited (CITCO) transformed its hospitality properties across Chandigarh into vibrant tea destinations, offering guests a thoughtfully curated celebration of India’s enduring tea culture.

Across Hotel Mountview, Hotel Shivalikview, and Chef Lakeview, the hospitality corporation hosted special tea festivals on May 21, 2026, inviting residents, tourists, and tea lovers to explore a diverse menu of traditional brews, herbal infusions, and refreshing iced teas paired with indulgent bakery selections and savory accompaniments.

A Celebration Brewed Around India’s Love for Tea

At Hotel Mountview, the experience leaned into both nostalgia and variety. Guests were treated to an expansive tea menu, ranging from classic masala and ginger teas to premium Assam and Darjeeling blends. Traditional favorites like Kashmiri kehwa and gur wali chai added a distinctly regional touch, while iced tea options catered to guests seeking lighter, summer-friendly refreshments.

The property elevated the experience with elaborate tea combos beginning at Rs. 175, complemented by an impressive spread of baked delicacies and savory bites. Danish pastries, croissants, muffins, brownies, doughnuts, sandwiches, patties, pakoras, and butter toast created the atmosphere of an elegant afternoon tea gathering with unmistakably Indian sensibilities.

Meanwhile, Hotel Shivalikview embraced a more contemporary and wellness-oriented approach to tea culture. Alongside cardamom tea and herbal brews, guests explored oolong, chamomile, and lemongrass teas — reflecting the growing popularity of wellness beverages among modern consumers. Refreshing iced tea variants, including peach, pineapple, and honeydew mint, added a seasonal twist to the festivities.

The hotel’s tea combos, priced from Rs. 170 onwards, paired these beverages with an eclectic selection of comfort snacks, including samosas, mathries, pakoras, cheese straws, spinach puffs, maska buns, pastries, and sandwiches. The result was an experience that balanced traditional Indian teatime favorites with café-style sophistication.

Affordable Comfort by the Lake

While the luxury properties focused on expansive tea experiences, Chef Lakeview delivered something equally compelling: simplicity and accessibility. The popular lakeside destination introduced affordable tea combos featuring ginger tea, masala tea, and gur wali chai served with a samosa for just Rs. 50 inclusive of GST.

In many ways, the offering captured the emotional essence of Indian tea culture — affordable, familiar, and meant to be shared. Against the scenic backdrop of the lake, the experience resonated strongly with casual visitors and evening strollers seeking comfort food with a local flavor.

Hospitality Beyond Accommodation

The celebrations also reflected a broader hospitality philosophy, increasingly evident in public-sector tourism enterprises: creating experiences that connect emotionally with visitors rather than merely serving as accommodation providers.

Speaking during the occasion, CITCO Managing Director, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, noted that tea has a unique ability to bring people together, adding that CITCO was pleased to offer guests distinctive tea experiences across its properties. Naveen Rattu, CITCO Chief General Manager, further highlighted that International Tea Day represents India’s rich and deeply rooted tea heritage and welcomed visitors to participate in the celebrations.

The strong public response throughout the day underscored just how enduring tea culture remains in India — not merely as a beverage preference, but as a social tradition that cuts across generations and lifestyles.

More Than a Beverage

What made CITCO’s International Tea Day celebrations stand out was not just the variety of teas on offer, but the way the events transformed familiar hospitality spaces into cultural experiences. From premium teas and artisanal bakery spreads to humble chai-and-samosa pairings, the celebrations reflected the many ways tea continues to shape everyday life in India.

In a city known for its structured elegance and leisurely charm, CITCO’s tea festivals served as a reminder that sometimes the simplest experiences — a warm cup of chai, good company, and familiar flavors — remain the most memorable.