| Fair and Festivals
of Arunachal
Pradesh |
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Location
: Arunachal Pradesh,
in the north east of India.
Best time to
Travel : Through out the year. |
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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
Some of the important festivals of Arunachal Pradesh are : |
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| Choekhor |
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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. |
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| Losar |
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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.
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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. |
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Monpa Festival
Monpas have a colourful festive heritage. The festivals are related with agricultural
practices and religious events.Experience the Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh |
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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. |
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| Tamladu Festival |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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INTER
NIC.
