Arunachal Pradesh is a state of distinct culture and one of the most magnificent places in India. There is a group of tribes that inhabit the state, making it quite colorful with its diverse culture and traditions. One can call Arunachal Pradesh one of the best places for cultural holidays in India.
The festive season is the best time to visit this culturally rich state as there is an opportunity to learn more about diversity. There are many agricultural, religious and socio-cultural festivals where people dance, sing, pray, express gratitude and perform marshes as a community. These celebrations actually add to the reason why one should visit Arunachal Pradesh.
Siang River Festival
Yomgo River Festival (Siang River Festival) is organized to celebrate communal harmony in Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier this festival was celebrated as Brahmaputra Darshan Festival in Tezapu and Pasighat, but since the year 2005, this festival is celebrated as Siang River Festival in places like Tingu, Yingkiong and Pasighat.
It is one of the most popular festivals in Arunachal Pradesh and an attempt to promote eco-tourism and offer many adventure activities like elephant races, traditional boat races, Didi – Mishmis’s Mock War Game, River Rafting, Food Festivals is. , Folk dances, cultural shows, hot air balloon and paragliding and exhibition of local model houses. Apart from this, an exhibition of handlooms and handicrafts is also organized by various districts.
Pangsau Pass Winter Festival
It is a modern day winter festival which started in the year 2007 and has been gaining a lot of popularity in the state since then. The festival is celebrated in Nanpong which is located in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Pangsu Pass Winter Festival (PPWF) is a three-day festival that takes place in the month of January each year.
On this festival, the people of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate their extraordinary ethnicity and perform folk dances and sing folk songs. Also, handicraft and handloom articles from different parts of the state have been put up for exhibition.
Along with showcasing the diversity of culture and tradition of Arunachal, PPWF also provides a platform to neighboring country Myanmar to showcase its culture. The festival connects the tribes of both the North East and Myanmar and gives them an opportunity to showcase their culture and traditions to each other.
Ziro Festival of Music
The festival is Arunachal’s own version of the Sunburn Festival. The Zero Festival of Music is the largest outdoor music festival in the state and is also the most happening event in Arunachal Pradesh. Music lovers from across the state and the North East region gather at Ziro, where the festival takes place.
It is a four-day festival where music lovers enjoy performances by international and domestic music artists. Folk acts from all over the North East are also organized; Therefore, it is a good opportunity to learn about different cultures. People make meros and spend four unforgettable days at the Zero Festival of Music.
Solung Festival
An agricultural festival- Solang is celebrated in the month of monsoon. This 10-day festival is one of the most famous festivals in North East India, especially celebrated by the Adi community in West Siang District, East Siang District, Lower Dibang Valley District, Upper Dibang Valley District and Upper Siang in Arunachal Pradesh District.
Every year the date of the festival varies and is decided by the Kabang or Gram Sabha keeping in mind the convenience of the villagers and the preparation of the local beer apong starts as soon as the date is set. On the first day, Indian bison are killed along with the boar in the early hours of the morning. On the second day, 1 / 3rd of the meat is distributed among relatives; In addition, a grand dinner is organized for neighbors, women and children.
On the fourth day of the festival, also known as Oinyad, one of the family members goes to the area and sacrifices an owl specifically for N Keen Nen ‘. On the seventh day or Acoba, men gather in a village hostel called itory mosup ‘to make bows and arrows, which are then fastened to the doors of every house in the village.
On the tenth and final day of the festival, the villagers uproot the paddy weeds which are spoiled by insects and insects and this process is known as irni. This act is done in the hope that ‘Keen’ (Goddess) will eject insects and insects from the fields.
Nyokum Festival
Nyokum is a festival of the Nyishi tribe and is celebrated for the harmony and prosperity of the people. The Nyokum Festival is celebrated every year on 28 February in East Kemang District, Lower Subansiri District, Kurung Kummi District and Papumpar District. The word neokam comes from two native dialect words and can be broken up as neok meaning land and kum meaning people.
It is a 2-day festival in which the Nayashi tribe enjoys singing, dancing and gathering. Men and women hold hands and form a circle to perform traditional dances. The main ritual is performed by the High Priests and prayers are offered to the spirits to bring peace and prosperity to each house.
Losar Festival
It is a festival of the Monpa tribe in Arunachal Pradesh and is celebrated to welcome a new year. The Monpas are the predominant tribes of the Tawang and West Kemang districts; Therefore, Losar can be considered as one of the major festivals here. Tawang is one of the most popular tourist attractions of North East India and it is indeed an ideal time to visit during the festival.
The festival usually takes place in the month of February or early March and lasts for about 8 to 15 days, during which houses are cleaned, prayed, religious flags are hoisted in each house, sacred texts. Are read and lamps are lit with butter. All houses. The local deities are also worshiped by the monpa for the welfare of society and people. Losar is a time to replenish the taste of locally made drinks and taste traditional dishes.
Dree Festival
Celebrated with great enthusiasm and enthusiasm, the Dree Mahotsav is an important part of the Apatani tribe of Lower Subansiri district. Zero is an ideal place to witness the festival of Dior. During the festival, people offer fountains, eggs and animal sacrifices to the deities and pray to the gods of Tamu, Meti, Dani and Harnyang. Prayers are offered to Lord Tami to protect the plants from harmful pests and insects.
Meti is worshiped for control of famine and pestilence. On the other hand, Dani is prayed for the safety and prosperity of mankind. Lord Hrayang is worshiped to ensure soil fertility and to prevent paddy plants from drying out. A local beer called Apong is brewed by each household during the Fest. The place for worship is decided by the high priest (Nyabu), often placed near paddy fields.
Boori Boot Festival
Sack Boot Fest is a way of expressing gratitude for a successful harvest of crops. It is a 3-day festival celebrated in the month of February by Hill-Miris in Upper Subansiri and Lower Subansiri districts. Bahuri Boot means coming together to celebrate the arrival of spring irrespective of caste, creed, age and gender.
Another aspect of this festival is that people pray with the spirit of the Bury Boot so that it blesses them with prosperity and frees them from diseases. All the people of Arunachal Pradesh come to the upper and lower Subansiri districts to be a part of this festival and enthusiastically participate in all the activities organized during the festival. The High Priest known as Nibu performs rituals and performs Yajna on behalf of the people.
Loku Festival
Loku is the main festival of the Nocte tribe of Tirap district and is celebrated to bid farewell to winter. The word Loku comes from two words of the local dialect – Lofe, which means to take out and Rangku, which means season. Loku or Chalo Loku is celebrated in the month of February and is considered an agricultural festival. The date of the festival is decided by the elders and is according to the days of the waxing moon.
It is a 3-day festival that begins on a day known as Phalamja; On this day animals like pigs and buffalo are slaughtered for meat and the people of the village start preparing for the next day. In addition, people check their traditional costumes, which are worn during ceremonies. The second day of the festival is known as Chamatja and nights on this day enable male members of the family to become full members of the Pang (decision-making committee).
It is indeed inevitable that each householder performs a ritual called champaka for each of his male members who have attained adolescence on the day of Chamkatja. The third and final day is called Thanlangja, and on this day villagers, whatever they may be, participate in folk dances regardless of sex, age or social status. The dance is performed at the chief’s house and in Pang’s premises. Families who have seen Champat invite dancers to perform at their homes and in return provide food and drink to the participants. Thanlangja is also a day for people to visit their relatives and friends.
Sanken Festival
It is one of the most important religious festivals in Arunachal Pradesh and is celebrated on 14 February every year. It is mainly celebrated by the Khapti tribe of Lohit district; However, it is celebrated all over Arunachal Pradesh. Sanken or Sangken is a three-day festival in which people bathe the statue of Buddha. The festival also marks the beginning of the new year.
On the first day of the festival, the beating of drums and gongs prays for the good of all. Throughout the festival, people refrain from killing animals, consuming alcoholic beverages, and engaging in illegal sexual activities. People avoid all kinds of manual work, gambling and even cutting trees.
After the rituals of images of Buddha and sacred temples, people sprinkle clean water on each other and offer wishes. On the last day, the statue of Lord Buddha is installed back in the main temple and a community banquet is held.
Other Festivals in Arunachal Pradesh
Along with these aforementioned festivals, there are many other festivals that the people of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate throughout the year. These festivals also revolve around successful harvest seasons, religious beliefs and socio-cultural norms.
Khan, Gomkum Gompa, Si Doni, Mopin, Aran, Tamaldu, Shapwong Yawang Manau Poi, Reh, Udaha and Mol are other festivals celebrated with equal fervor and enthusiasm in Arunachal.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arunachal Pradesh
Q. Which is the most popular festival in Arunachal Pradesh?
A – The Zero Music Festival, which is celebrated in the month of September, is the most popular festival in Arunachal Pradesh.
Q. Where is Losar celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Yes, Losar is the new year of the Monpa tribe of Arunachal and it is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the state.
Q. Can we see a Buddhist festival in Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Yes, Sangken is a traditional Buddhist New Year celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh.
Q. Which are the major tourism festivals in Arunachal Pradesh?
A -Below are the major festivals in Arunachal Pradesh:
Ziro Music Festival
Sangken Festival
Losar
Siang River Festival
Q. Arunachal Pradesh is famous for?
A – Arunachal Pradesh means the Lawn of the Don-lit Mountains, which is the royal palace for the state in Sanskrit. The state is also known as the Orchid State of India or the paradise of botanists.
Q. Which language is widely spoken in Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Although Hindi is the official language of the state, it is the connecting and communication language of the state. Apart from Sanskrit, Hindi and English are the main languages in Arunachal Pradesh which were kept optional.
Q. How and when did Arunachal become part of India?
A – Arunachal Pradesh was established as a state in India on 20 February 1987. Arunachal Pradesh was initially a union territory which was driven out of Assam. Arunachal Pradesh was known as the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) until 1972 during British India and the Republic of India.
Q. Is Arunachal Pradesh a part of China?
A – China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, while India’s consistent stance has been that the northeastern state is an integral and inseparable part of the country. China has established a new village in Arunachal Pradesh consisting of about 101 houses.
Q . Which is famous food of Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Apong or rice beer made from fermented rice or millet is a popular drink in Arunachal Pradesh as an alcohol drink. There are different varieties of rice beers with different flavors. The staple food is fish, meat (lookter) and rice with many green vegetables.
Q. Is Arunachal Pradesh beautiful?
A – “Our state is popular among tourists for its spectacular beauty and serene landscape. Our Himalayan mountain range offers one-of-a-kind experiential road trip options spread across the state, ”said Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu during the launch.
Q. Is Arunachal Pradesh safe?
A – Arunachal Pradesh is the safest state in North East India.
Q. Who was known as the father of Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Daying Ering (1929–1970) was an Indian politician from Arunachal Pradesh. He was the chairman of the Ering Commission which heavily influenced the panchayati raj system of the country.
Q. What was the old name of Arunachal Pradesh?
A – On 20 February 1987, Arunachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state. Until 1972, it was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA). It attained Union Territory status on 20 January 1972 and was renamed Arunachal Pradesh.
Q. Which is the famous dress of Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Sleeveless Chemise – Variations. Women wear sleeveless chemise with embroidered, full-sleeve jackets with petticoats or skirts. The dress is usually not complete without ‘mushayars’ or waistcoats. A skull full of yak hair called ‘gurdam’ adds elegance to the overall dress.
Q. Which one is the coldest place in Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Zero is a city in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the district headquarters of Lower Subansiri district.
Q. Which is famous town is located in Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Pasighat is also known as the “Gateway of Arunachal” which lies along the Siang River valleys and the Himalayas. It is the oldest city in Arunachal Pradesh established in 1911 and is an ideal destination to explore the tradition and culture of the people living here.
Q. Do we need Passport to travel Arunachal Pradesh?
A – Any person who is not a resident of the state of Arunachal Pradesh needs a permit to visit Arunachal Pradesh. Indian citizens require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) and foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for the same.
