Choekhor

Introduction to Choekhor : Among the seven sister states of north-east India, Arunachal Pradesh is unique for its cultural diversity and geographical topography. Not only is surrounded by Himalayan mountain ranges but also it is gifted with fertile land where its tribal population cultivates their foods. Cultivation is a major source of their livelihood. Choekhor is an important festival of the region celebrated after the crops are shown in the field. In this festival the devotees pray to their deities for prosperous harvesting season.

Description : Choekhor is basically a festival of harvesting season celebrated by the whole village of the community in all its grandness and jovial mood. People pray to their Gods to protect their crops from any natural calamity and increase their yield further. It falls on the 7th month of the Lunar Calender.

However Choekor is not the only festival that is celebrated in the state with agricultural theme but another important festival like Monpa has also the similar theme. The tribes of Arunachal Pradesh also observe New Year festival with great pomp and grandeur. Celebrated on the 11th month of the Lunar Calender, The New Year in the state is known as Losar and is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm. These festivals are famous for their unique tribal dance and music and are meant to pray the God to protect the harvest from any evil.

Khan Festival

Introduction to Khan Festival : The north-eastern region of India is surrounded by breath- taking Himalayan range, which is famous for its tourist attractions. This region includes states like Arunachal Pradesh, with its rich cultural heritage and unique traditions. The festivals and fairs observed in the state make its life colorful. These festivals in the state present a rare opportunity for tribal reunion. People from all walks of life participate in these festivals and fairs, without any discrimination of political, economic or social background. The Khan festival in Arunachal Pradesh presents a distinctive and vibrant aspect of tribal culture in the state.

Description : The Khan festival, the most popular festival of Arunachal Pradesh, is celebrated by all the natives of the state irrespective of their backgrounds. This festival is originally celebrated by Miji tribes of the state. It is a religious practice where priest winds a holy thread along the neck of the devotees and some believe that it would bring good omen to the tribes and save them from the evil spirit. The holy thread occupies an important position in this Khan festival, as it winds divergent cultural societies into one thread and thus acting a uniting force in the multi-cultural Arunachal Pradesh.

Losar Festival

One of the most picturesque hill stations in India is Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a very important Buddhist learning center of the country. This place also attracts a huge number of tourists for its unique festivals and fairs. The Losar is among the prime festivals that are celebrated in the region.

Losar is originally the festival of Monpas, the Mongoloid decedents. They are engaged in farming and cattle rearing. To start with, before the commencement of the real event the people initiate welcoming the festival by cleaning their home and disposing unused stuffs from their house. They firmly believe that this cleaning would bring forth a good fortune and wealth to their home. The real occasion is commemorated by huge feast, drink and merry making. A big reunion is planned and all the friends and relatives get together to celebrate the New Year with great joy and majesty. The Losar is generally celebrated at the end of February or start of March, and is continued to be celebrated for 8 to 15 days.

Saga Dawa

Introduction to Festival : Arunachal Pradesh is the soil of many exclusive cultural and social heritages. Here we can witness a blend of religious and ideological discourses. Buddhists are the major religious group of the state. They have given it some of the most popular festivals confirming their cultural identity in the region. Saha Dawa is an important festival celebrated by the Buddhists.

Description : In the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Buddhist occupies a very prominent position. The festival of Saha Dawa is celebrated as the day of Enlightenment for them. It is believed that on this very day of Saha Dawa, Lord Buddha attained Nirvana and thus this the most important day in the life of every Buddhist. The festivity starts with a procession carrying the holy books of Buddhism. The procession starts from the Tusuklakhang and follow the whole city. The festival is generally celebrated at the end of May or the beginning of the June. Though, the exact date of the festival depends on the full moon day according to the lunar calendar of the local Buddhist.

Apart from that, Arunachal Pradesh has also many other key festivals like Shaken festival, Losar and Reh festival. These festivals are celebrated in Great Spirit by the members of all community other than the usual Buddhist, showing the color of unity among the diversified stare culture.