A Traveller’s Guide to Festivals in North-East India

The culture of the North eastern part of India is still a mystery to a lot of people. They have a unique culture which sees the celebration of many festivals. Through North East India holiday packages one can observe how vibrant these festivals are. Here are some festivals that are celebrated in the North-East.

Most Famous Festivals in North East India

Losar, Arunachal Pradesh

This heralds the commencement of the Tibetan New Year every year on February 11. Many of the festivals revolve around agriculture and Losar is no different. Tradition has it that sprouted barley seeds and tons of tsampa (roasted barley flour and butter) and other grains act as offerings to bring about proper harvest. The second day known as Gyalpo Losar, the leaders of various communities in Arunachal Pradesh are paid tributes. On the last day, named Choe-Kyong Losar people pay obeisance to the high priest, Dharmapala. More often than not the festival goes on for more than 10 to 15 days.

Saga Dawa, Sikkim

This is one of the popular Buddhist festivals in Sikkim and according to astrological calculations it sees celebration in the Tibetan lunar month, sometime between May and June. It is celebrated on a full moon day. Month of Merits is a sobriquet of this festival. The Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death are honoured here. According to tradition lots of people come together in monasteries and give water, incense and dhog.
 

Hornbill Festival, Nagaland

This is the biggest festival in Nagaland and is named after a bird. Agriculture plays a major role in this festival. Any viewer will be quite taken by the colour and vibrancy seen. Wooden drums shaped like logs played by a group known as warrior log drums is a regular feature here. The colour-filled headgear and war cries are more attractions. The festive atmosphere is further aided by pork eating contests and the Kohima Night Bazaar.

Nongkrem Dance Festival, Meghalaya

This is another harvest festival. November is the month which this festival is celebrated in. It is the people of the Khasi tribe that bring this joyous affair to life. According to their traditions they sacrifice goats in homage to the Goddess Ka Blei Synshar. Going on for more than five days young man and women attired in their traditional costume, celebrate by performing a tribal dance. The venue for the festival is Smit, about 15 kilometres away from Shillong.

Bihu Festival

The most popular festival in Assam, ushers in the Assamese New Year. The celebration begins on April 14 every year. In keeping with the spirit of joy the festival goes on for than a month. The actual celebration lasts for 7 days. The first day sees cows and bulls given a bath and then fed. The second day is the most important as people meet each other and give their relatives Gamosa( handmade cotton towels). After that is time for the main celebration-the Bihu dance.

Clearly the North-East is one of the most vibrant places in India, so make this your next holiday destination.North-East India has a plethora of festivals in all its seven states. Go through this article to see how they are celebrated.