At a Glance:
- Region: India’s northern eastern region
- Tourists Attractive Spots: Caves, Wildlife, Tawang and Orchids
- Capital City: Itanagar
- Perfect Time To Visit: In whole year
Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh is a like a mirror of this state, which shows the actual life of this state and also the cultural side. Arunachal state is situated in the eastern part on the Indian subcontinent, it is known as an entire calendar with a long list of festivals. Arunachal Pradesh state’s festival not just depicts its color, feasts, fervor & jollity, rituals and prayers but it also showcases, their rich Culture which they have preserved from centuries. The major source of income in this state is agriculture, that’s why festivals are enjoyed by the residential people of Arunachal, people of this state has a very attached relation with their money sourcing occupation. Few essential festivals are celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and energy, festivals of this state are Nechi, Ojiale, Yullo, Reh, Solung, Sanken, Tamladu, Dree, Kshyatsowai, Boot, Nyokum, Mopin, Si-Donyi, Loku, Nechi, Nyokum, Longte Yullo, Khan, Losar, Sanken Solung etc. but Losar, Saga Dawa, Choekhor, Torgya, Monpa festival and Mioko festival etc. are the major festivals of Arunachal Pradesh. The very common ritual, which you will get to see in this state and especially in the Non-Bodic tribe, sacrifices animals. The festival has a fine mixture of the different lifestyles, which are practiced by this state’s people. The prime motto behind the celebration of the festival is carrying all the people together and enjoying, because people has been spread in different villages.
The celebration of the different festivals is a specific thing, which has preserved the traditional culture of Arunachal Pradesh. During the months of January & April, people of this state celebrate the spring festivals, these festivals are practiced by the different communities of this state. During the festivals, the spiritual sacrifices & rites are practiced by the religious clerics; they assist it to the few selected men members. Celebrating the festival is an important part of Arunachal Pradesh state’s people; it is a prime factor of their social & cultural life. Each and every different communities of this state has their own traditional festivals. Their festival provides much opportunity for them to feel the joy and entertainment. These are occasions, when people feel relax; they meet their relatives and friends. As per the particular festival, they also practice the specific dance forms and song on the occasions. Through the festival, they thank god for providing the good harvest and pray. In the whole year, they celebrate the festival, that’s why Arunachal Pradesh state is also known as a state of festivals.
Losar
At a Glance:
- Region: Arunachal Pradesh, district Tawang
- Practiced By: Monpa Tribe
- Festivity Time: Start of March & February end
- Relevance of Festival: Buddhist Religion’s new year
Buddhist religion community’s New Year is called as Losar. This festival is very essential festival of them and also the people living in the district called Tawang. This festival is held in the start of March or end of February. This festival is celebrated with huge jolly & festivity. The duration of this festival is about eight to fifteen days. On the 1st day of the festival one family’s 1 or 2 persons go to bring the first water of water tap or stream. Anger is provided through the water source, they tie the piece of fabric around the tap. In this occasion, the Chemar & Chang are served and they also do perform prayers through this they mollify the spirits & Nagas. Some amount of water which has been drawn up is considered to be sanctifying & purifying because it has been clear through the light of the star, before the night. While going back home, they went to the chapel, here people perform prayers and lit up the lamps. They pray for a wealthy life and free year from the disease. On this festival, the Munar tribe people prepare the khab & hot chang with the combination of Looves and they offer it to each family member request them Tashi Delek.
On the occasion of Losar, they wore beautiful and attractive cloths to make themselves beautiful. All the members of the family go to the chapel for prayers. After that they went to their neighbor’s houses for the request of Tashi Delek. At the 1st day of the Losar, the Munar tribe’s people try to stay in the house; they don’t socialize on that day. From the 2nd day of the festival, all people begin to visit each other and dance, sing, gamble they do and also have an archery competition.
On Losar festival’s 3rd day, people put their prayer flag over the roofs, as both the type horizontally & vertically. When they host the flags, they present the appeasement served by the people, in the respect of the spirits & deities. They hold the flour in hands and they start shouting Ki Ki so so Lha Gyal Lo and they through the entire flour of their hand into the sky. To show the happiness, the Yak dance group presents the Yak dance.
Mopin
At a Glance:
- Celebrated In: Arunachal Pradesh
- Celebrated By: Galo Adi Tribe
- In the Month of: April
The tribal population that lives in the interior parts of Arunachal Pradesh celebrates festivals that can make you dazzle. In such fiesta is Mopin, this festival belongs to the tribe called Galo Adi. These tribal members live in the community of Gallong that has an existence in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The main agenda of celebrating this festival is to throw away the evil spirit that brings bad luck with them and pose lots of worries. Prayer is also done by the local folks at the time of Mopin, the prayer is done so that natural calamity also can’t hurt them in any way round and they can live in peace and prosperity.
At the time of Mopin the masses revere the deity of welfare and wisdom. The duration of this festival is of 8 to 10 days in the month of April.
Murung
At a Glance:
- Celebrated In: Arunachal Pradesh
- Celebrated By: Apatani tribe
- In the Month of: January
Murung is the festival that is celebrated by the tribes called Apatani, they celebrate this festival in January every year, mainly this festival is celebrated among family, but even Apatanis can also be a part of this festival. This festival is celebrated by Apatanis where they pray for the richness and wealth of the family members. During this festival you can see a bash all over the place. On the occasion of this, Murung people invite their family and friends to this ceremony. At the time of Murung all family members pray for each other’s richness and wealth for the coming year. Music, dance is all involved in Murung. The best thing about this festival is that there is no restriction of drinking and eating habits, people can eat and drink according to their own wish. Attending Murung is the biggest fun in itself with the mind blowing atmosphere during the whole festival.
Murung celebration brings to illumination the living style, cultural values and ethnicity of the Apatanis. You can get knowledge about way of dressing up, their drinking tastes and their eating habits. Apatains also treats guests as Gods, so if you visit this festival you can enjoy the grant treatment.