Faris and Festivals
Location:Arunachal Pradesh, in the north east of India.
Best Time to Travel: Through out the year.
The Festivals
Festivals form an essential aspect of Socio-Cultural life of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. As a matter of fact festivals of Arunachal Pradesh reflects the real culture and tradition of the people of Arunachal Pradesh . Every social community of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate number of festivals. The festivals of Arunachal Pradesh are generally - agricutural, religious and socio-cultural, which give them ample opportunity to enjoy and entertain freely. The festivals are the occasions for people to relax, to enjoy, to dance and eat and drink.
Agriculture being the basic means of livelihood in Arunachal, the festivals having connection with agriculture are celebrated in bigger scale either to thank God for the providence or pray for good harvest. The ritual part of each festival is performed by the priest and other arrangements of the festivals are done by the people in a community basis. Animal sacrifice is a common ritual in most of the festivals in Arunachal Pradesh. Throughout the year festivals are celebrated by one or the other tribes. Because of this fact, Arunachal Pradesh may also be called the land of festivals.
Experience the Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
Famous Festivals in Arunachal Pradesh:
1. Choekhor
After the crops are sown and at the time of little agricultural activity, in the seventh month of lunar calendar, a rite known as "Choekor" is organised in the villages by the entire village community with the aim of offering supernatural protection to the crops sown, for good harvest and to drive away evil spirits.
2. Losar
The New Year festival, called "Losar", is perhaps the most important festival of Tawang District in Arunachal Pradesh. The Losar festival of the Monpas is their new year of festival. On this occasion people clean out their homes to usher in the new year and to discard the old. It mostly falls in the last part of February or early part of March and is celebrated with lots of fun and festivity, which lasts for about 8 to 15 days.
3. Torgya
Torgya is a monastic festival held every year for three days starting from 28th day of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, which generally falls in the last part of January. In order to drive off evil forces and to ward off any natural calamity. Monastic dances are performed for 3 days during Torgya festivals.
4. Monpa Festival
Monpas have a colourful festive heritage.The festivals are related with agricultural practices and religious events.Experience the Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
5. Saga Dawa
The 4th month as per lunar calendar is regarded as the holiest period for the Buddhists. This month marks the birth of Lord Buddha, his attainment of supreme enlightenment and his passing into the state of nirvana. It normally falls in the month of May. This occasion is celebrated with much fun and gaiety.
6. Tamladu Festival
Another important festival is Tamladu, essentially celebrated by the Digaru Mishmis tribe. During the festival, prayers are offered to the God of Earth and the God of Water for protection against natural calamities. The supreme- Lord Jebmalu, is worshipped and welfare of human beings, the standing crops and domestic animals.
7. Sangken festival
Sangken festival, is an occasion to bathe the images of Lord Buddha ceremoniously.This also heralds the new year and people sprinkle water on each other as a sign of merriment.
8. Khan Festival
Another festival is the Khan festival, an occasion for the reunion of the people. Besides the usual festivities, the significance of the festival lies in the ceremony whereby the priest ties a piece of wool around everybody's neck. The belief is that the enchanted thread will bring good luck to each of them.
