North East India is an exquisite region with beautiful valleys, lakes, and rivers that bring so much freshness into this world full of Multinational Companies and chemical-inducing factories. It provides an escape from the crazy lives we are all living and takes us on a journey of self-discovery. The locations of the North East are a traveler’s dream, but that is not the only thing the North East is famous for. When booking your North East India tour packages, make sure to keep an out for the amazing festivals held in the region. The different tribes celebrate so many amazing festivals each year that include a lot of dancing, a lot of fun, and a lot of tasty food. The wonderful people of the North East, represent their culture through their festivals, in such a delightful manner that you have to witness them in person to find out why this region attracts so many tourists every year. With so many fun festivals to keep track of, we have made a list of five festivals of North East India that you need to be a part of at least once.
1. Ziro Music Festival
Ziro is a resplendent valley in the North-Eastern state, of Arunachal Pradesh. And every year, the ground of this beautiful valley shakes with the excitement of its iconic outdoor music festival. Featuring over 30 indie bands from all over the world and the greatest folk acts from across the North East, the festival is larger than life. And what makes it even better is the fact that it is one of the most eco-friendly festivals in India. For four days, the valley rocks with the greatest musicians, who shine bright under the starlit sky.
2. Wangala Festival
Every year, in the second week of November, the largest harvest festival and the most popular festival among the Garo tribe is celebrated in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. The festival is held in the honor of the Sun God of fertility and marks the end of the agricultural year. Also known as the 100 Drums festival of Meghalaya, the people dance to the beat of 100 long oval-shaped drums in celebration. It is a beautiful way to showcase how the North East respects and proudly presents its culture to the world.
3. Torgya Festival
Held in the Tawang Monastery of Arunachal Pradesh, the Torgya festival is the Monpa tribe’s way of warding off any evil spirits and protecting the people from natural disasters. Held for three days, the festival features popular dances, the Pha Chan and the Losjker Chungiye. Artists performing the dance, dress up in colorful costumes and masks representing animal forms. The Losjker Chungiye is performed by the monks of the Tawang monastery. Held in accordance with the Buddhist calendar, the festival brings blessings and protection to all the devotees present and brings prosperity to the Monpa tribe.
4. Chapchar Kut Festival
If you want to have a closer look at the intricate yet beautiful culture of Mizoram, attend the annual harvest festival known as Chapchar Kut. Believed to have started in 1450-1700 AD, Chapchar Kut is an ancient festival that the community still celebrates to this day. The festival starts with a wonderfully fun tradition of people stuffing a boiled egg in each other’s mouths. In addition to an attractive number of graceful dances performed, there is also an arts and crafts exhibition that showcases the local talent. Try some ethnic food and cherish the beautiful culture you get to be a part of.
5. Moatsu Festival
Celebrated by the Ao people of Nagaland, Moatsu is a three-day annual festival that is as casual and fun as a festival can get. Men and women dress up in their finest attire and take part in a lot of energetic singing and dancing. One of the symbolic celebrations of the three-day festival is Sanpangtu, where everyone sits around a giant bonfire, dressed in their best clothes. Everyone just hangs out and eats delicious meat and wash it down with even more delicious wine. And the witch doctors of the village predict if the upcoming period will bring prosperity or bad luck for the villagers.
