Top 10 Famous Festivals in the North East state of India

THE TOP  TEN FAMOUS FESTIVALS OF NORTHEAST STATES IN INDIA  ARE VERY VIBRANT FESTIVALS IN INDIA.

The Northeast region of India legs behind the rest of the country in several development indicators. The Northeast state is comprised of eight states-Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura & Sikkim.

The states of the Northeastern region are officially recognised under the North Eastern Council in the year 1972, for the development of Northeastern states. Guwahati city in Assam is called the Gateway to the North East and it is the largest metropolis in North East India. China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan& Nepal are the neighbouring countries of Northeast states.

 Indigenous festivals in the northeast include the Ojiyale festival of the Wancho people Arunachal Pradesh, Khiksaba festival of the Sherdukpen people of Arunachal Pradesh, Bihu festival of Assam, Chumpha festival of Manipur, Shad Nongkrem festival of Meghalaya, Pawl Kut festival of Mizoram, Hornbill festival of Nagaland. Garia Puja festival in Tripura & Saga Dawa festival of Sikkim.

1.Ojiyale festival of North east state:-

Ojiyale festival is a harvest festival of Arunachal Pradesh. In Arunachal Pradesh, the population consists of numerous indigenous tribes. In the month of March & April resonate with sounds of music, prayer & dancing and merry-making where every tribe celebrate the Ojiyale harvest festival.

Ozele festival of Wancho people, famous for the colourful dances and celebrated all over the Tirap district. The Ojiyale festival celebrates 6 to 21 days. This festival is the celebrated night after the sowing millet when the farmers pray their God Animist deities, Rang and Bauang for protecting their cop against ravages of nature.

The main priest leads all rituals and prayers during Ojiyale. In Ojiyale festival the special community dance that stat at night 9 pm, in the village of Chief’s house. Tattooed Wancho men wearing special typical cane basket headdresses with women decked with fine traditionally jewellery like girdles, cowries and straw anklets during the dance.

2. Khiksaba festival of North east state:-

Khiksaba festival is famous in the western part of Arunachal Pradesh. The Sherdukpen tribe derives from Sher (Shergoan) and Tukpen (old name of Rupa) village in western Arunachal Pradesh.

This Khiksaba festival was celebrated by the Shertuken Tribe from 12th December to 16th December every year in the West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh. Shertuken people celebrate Buddhist festivals similar to other Buddhist communities in the Himalayan region.

The Tibetan Chaam dance is commonly seen among the Sherdukpen festival. Khiksaba is an indigenous non-Buddhist festival of the Sherdukpen people of Arunachal Pradesh. They dedicated to this festival to appease the forest deities and other mountain spirits.

3. Bihu Festival in Festivals of Nort east:-

Assamese Bihu is one of the most important cultural festivals of Assam, which celebrate the change of season. This festival marks the beginning of Assamese New Year and Harvest season.

There are three types of Bihu festivals celebrated in Assam.1st Rongali or Bohag Bihu comes in April,2nd Kongali or Kati Bihu comes in the month of October and 3rd is Magha Bihu comes in the month of January every year. Rangoli Bihu celebrates the Assamese New year.

All three Bihu festivals are celebrated with melodious folk Bihu songs and traditional dance. People during this time get their best traditional attire and perform Bihu dance. The tune of traditional musical Toka Xutuli, Baanh, Dhul and Gogona add different kinds of flavours to this festival.

4. Chumphon festival North east state:-

Chumphon festival is the harvest festival of Manipur state of North-east. Manipur is a state with different cultures and traditions where each tradition has its unique charm. The Chumphon festival is an Annual Harvest festival that is celebrated by the Tanghul Nagas.

This festival is celebrated for seven days. Among seven days the last three days are most enjoyable as it’s social gatherings between friends, families & relatives. This is the only festival where women have a significant role in order to make this festival more charming.

 The local people wear their traditional dresses which include Kashanas worn by the women and Machung worn by the men along with the headgears. They also prepare local delicacies like Nagari, rice, pork and fermented vegetables.

The local people enjoy a great meal with the family & friends of their loved one. The last day of the festival is marked as processions that take place in the Urkhul district of Manipur.

5. Shad Nongkrem festival of North east state:-

Shad Nongkrem is the most important festival of the Khasi Tribe in Meghalaya. It is a five-day festival held at the beginning of November to offer thanks’ giving to God for a good harvest.

This festival is held in Smith, a small village 15 km. From Shillong. This festival commences with sacrifice with goat, followed by a dance by young men and women. The unique dance is performed by the member of Hima Skyrim.

A major feature of the dance is that only virgin women dressed in traditional attire can dance during the festival along with young men with swords.

During this festival, prayers are offered to guardian deities of Ka Pah Syntiew and Suid Nia Tong, for the good harvest and prosperity of the tribe of Meghalaya.

6. Pawl Kut festival of North east state:-

The festival of Pawl Kut is a harvest festival of Mizoram state. This festival is celebrated with great joy, merriment and activities. The locality of Mizoram, enjoy music, dance ballet, and many other forms of entertainment during the time of the festival.

This festival is last for two days. Both men and women enjoy dancing for a good harvest. Food and hunting is also a major part of this festival. Once the localities of Mizoram were faced a great challenge as there was no rain for three consucativeive years and the harvest was falling extremely short.

The localities then pray to God for some relief and in that year they were gifted with plenty of rain with harvest production being successful. Since then Mizo’s celebrate every year celebrate this festival to please God, & blessings for a good harvest.

The best and most attractive part of this festival is the extensive and elaborate meal prepared especially for this occasion. The meal comprises of meat and eggs. Not only making good dishes is a tradition, but there is also a custom of sharing food with friends, family and donating to the poor.

7. Hornbill festival of North east state:-

The Hornbill festival takes place on 1st, December every year in the state of Nagaland. It is known as Nagaland’s formation day. This festival is celebrated from 1st December to 10th December each year.

The aim of the Hornbill festival is to revive and protect the vibrant culture of Nagaland and display the extravaganza and traditions. This festival is organised by the State Tourism of Art & culture departments of Nagaland, which take place from 1st December to 10th December.

The Hornbill festival display under one roof of a model village built at Kisama, a western Angami location situated 12 km away from Kohima the capital of Nagaland. Hornbill is a colourful festival is a certain paradise for foodies, particularly non-vegetarian Naga’s love to feast and feed, Naga’s traditional food is more attractive during the Hornbill festival.

Hornbill festival, which is called in Nagaland as the “festivals of festivals” 10-day annual cultural festival. This festival is organised by the “State Tourism of Art and Culture Departments every year, It is also supported by the Union Government.

8. Garia puja  Festivals of North east state :-

Garia Puja festival is celebrated in Tripura state of North-east of India. This is a popular religious biggest festival of Tripura state. It is a weeklong festival. The last day of this festival of Tripura is a public holiday.

 The locals worship the Baba Garia and Davi Durga during this religious festival. So Goria puja festival also called as Baba Goria puja or Goria Durga puja, by the local people of Tripura. This festival raised hope and harmony and peace between the local people.

Many small fairs were organised during this week-long festival to bring vibrancy and enjoyment to local people. During the Baba Garia puja, a bamboo pole is used for worship. The bamboo pole is symbolized the Lord Goria or Baba Goria.

Lord Goria worshipped with flowers and garlands, cotton thread, richha, rice, wine, rice beer, earthen pots and eggs. The traditional Garia dance is also performed by the devotees to show their enthusiasm and harmony. The devotees cook a feast at their home and invite  God for the prosperity of the house.

9. Saga Dawa festival of North east state.

Saga Dawa festival in Sikkim is one of the most famous and biggest festivals of Sikkim. Saga Dawa is celebrated with great enthusiasm fervour every year. This festival is most significant and sacred for the followers of Mahayana Buddhism.

Saga Dawa provides a perfect platform offering a visual treat of various religious ceremonies street processions. Saga Dawa is the tripe Blessed festival is believed to have a history dating back in many centuries, its date was officially formalized at the first conference of the world fellowship of Buddhists held in Sri Lanka in the year 1950.

Today this festival is celebrated all over the world. All across India except the Northeastern region, this festival is commonly known as “Buddha Purnima”. One of the biggest highlights of Saga Dawa is the lightening of butter lamps in monasteries by the Mahayana Buddhists, including their obeisance to Lord Buddha.

The magnificent carnival of Saga Dawa is held every year on the full moon of the 4th month of the Buddhist lunar calendar, which according to the English calendar falls during the month of May and early June of time frame.

10. Ras Lila in Majuli festival in North east state:-

This festival is a celebration of the Life of Lord Krishna. The people of Majuli in Assam state are ardent devotees of Lord Krishna. The Vaishnav Monks of the sastras perform dramas dressed in bright and colourful attire.

Children and young men and women from all backgrounds also take part in this festival. Each state showcases Lord Krishna’s life in their own way through various songs, plays and dances puppets, attires. This festival was observed for five days. Raas Utsav or Raas Leela is an annual festival being performed on full moon day(Purnima) in the month of October –November.

Majuli is the famous river island and the core of Assamese Neo-Vaish nativism located in the Mideast of the Brahmaputra with erring cultural treasures to elaborate & celebrate Raas Mahotsava. Muji is one place in the state where Raas Leela of Lord Krishna is celebrated through the plays enacted by the devotees.

For the past several centuries, it is the tradition of Majuli people to pay their obeisance to Lord Krishna by enacting his Raas Leela themselves. People from hundred’s kilometers away, come to celebrate this festival, including a number of expatriate members of the community.