In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang River celebration is also called the Yomgo River Festival and is one of the top festivals in Arunachal Pradesh. The people of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate this festival to promote harmony and eco-tourism.
The Siang River Festival was part of the Brahmaputra darshan festival till 2005. The festival expresses the potential that the state holds for tourism. It is a fun and lively celebration that everyone should experience once in his lifetime.
When: December
Where: Tuting, Yingkiong and Pasighat
What to expect: Folk dance, cultural shows, handicraft exhibitions, food festival, cultural functions like elephant race, boat race, river rafting, and paragliding
Pangsau Pass Winter is a modern winter festival started in 2007 that locals of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate. It lasts for three days, and the tribes of Northeast and Myanmar also take part in the celebration. Tribes show their culture and tradition during the festival.
It is a festival that started in the year 2007 and became one of the most popular festivals in Arunachal Pradesh.
When: January
Where: Nampong
What to expect: Folk dances and songs, Lots of arts, handloom and handicraft articles from various parts of the state
Ziro Festival of Music in Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most popular festivals all over India. The outdoor music event continues for four days straight. It includes international and domestic music artists’ performances.
It is the biggest and most happening festival that people celebrate in Arunachal Pradesh. Music lovers from all over India gather at this festival to view this spectacle and get unforgettable moments for their lifetime.
When: 28 September to 1 October
Where: Ziro valley
What to expect: International, local music performances, and folk acts
Solung is an agricultural Festival that lasts almost ten days and is a very well-known festival. The Adi community of different districts of Arunachal Pradesh celebrates this festival with more passion. People slaughter Indian bison and pigs on the first day of the festival. On the second and third, people distribute the meat among their families and closed ones.
During the fourth day of the Solung festival, one of the family members goes into the ground and sacrifices a fowl for ‘Kine Nane’. On the seventh day of the festival, men will start assembling to make bows and arrows. Finally, on the tenth day, people begin uprooting the weak paddy plants from their farms.
The actual celebrations of the festival begin on the last day. The first nine days are for the preparations. By celebrating this festival, people believe that the goddess ‘Kine Nane’ will eliminate worms and insects from the fields.
When: Monsoon
Where: West Siang district
What to expect: Ponung songs and dances performed by womenfolk
People of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate Nyokum Festival for harmony and prosperity among themselves, especially among the Nyishi tribe. Nyokum festival includes two words: Nyok, land, and Kum, people. Therefore, the Nyokum festival means the celebration of land people.
The festival lasts two days, and the high priest performs significant rituals to bring prosperity to each household. Men and women will hold hands and start traditional dance in a circle. Tourists can see the real Arunachal Pradesh during these two days of the festival.
When: 28 February of every year
Where: east kemang district, kurung kumey, Papumpar district
What to expect: Singing, dancing and gathering up of the people
The Monpa tribe in Arunachal Pradesh especially celebrates the Losar festival. The people love this festival, one of the main attractions of North-East India. The people of Arunachal Pradesh welcome a new year (according to the Tibetan calendar) with full enthusiasm for eight to fifteen days.
People place religious flags atop their houses. They deeply clean their homes and offer prayers. People also worship the local deity for the welfare of society.
When: Ending February
Where: West Kemang district
What to expect: Holy scriptures are read, decorated houses with lamps with butter lit, traditional food and drinks.
The Dree Festival is one of the most important festivals for Arunachal Pradesh’s Apatani tribe. They are very enthusiastic about celebrating the festival. In this festival of Arunachal Pradesh, people sacrifice numerous eggs, owls, and animals to the Gods. They also pray to Tamu, Metii, Danyi, and Harniang with complete dedication.
People believe praying to ‘Tami’ will protect their plants from harmful pests and insects. By praying to Metii, they get protection against famines and epidemics. The deity Danyi will save humankind, and Harniang will ensure the soil is fertile enough.
When: 5 July
Where: Ziro
What to expect: Traditional dances and songs performed by the tribe people, delicious and tangy rice and millet beer
Boori boot is one of the most important festivals for the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The Hill-Miris celebrate this festival with a passion for offering their gratitude for a successful harvest. The Boori Boot festival continues for three whole days.
During this famous Arunachal Pradesh festival, everyone gathers together to celebrate the arrival of spring, irrespective of their religion, caste, creed, age and sex. People also pray during the festival to the spirit of Boori Boot and believe it will help them bring prosperity and protection from diseases. Nibu, who is the high priest in the area, performs the rituals and conducts the sacrifice.
When: February
Where: Nirjuli town
What to expect: Special puja and various competitions such as tug of war, folk dance, and archery
People of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate the Mopin festival, especially the Galo Adi tribe, to bring good luck, prosperity, and a good harvest. The Galo Adi tribe perform the famous Popir Dance in their traditional ornamented attire, which is the festival’s main highlight. The Galo tribe also allows visitors to indulge in their indigenous culture and traditions.
People celebrate this festival to drive away evil shadows. Also, people believe that the festival will bring God’s blessing and universal happiness.
When: April
Where: Town of Along, which is also known as Aalo
What to expect: Dance, folk songs and local brews
Arunachal Pradesh’s Nocte tribe celebrate the Loku festival with a lot of pomp and passion for saying goodbye to winter. After the date decided by the elders by observing the days of the waxing moon, the festival continues for three days.
For the preparation of the festival, young boys and girls collect ‘Kow’ leaves from the forest to make dishes and cups.
When: July or August in some villages and October or November in some villages
Where: Tirap district
What to expect: Traditional dance Chamwangbong
