the Land of the Rising Sun Arunachal Pradesh

the state of Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most picturesque destinations in India that showcases a distinct culture and diverse traditions. Unequivocally one of the best cultural destinations to visit in India, it is during the festivals of Arunachal Pradesh that the true fervour and zeal of the people can be witnessed.

The people of Arunachal Pradesh celebrate numerous religious, agricultural, and socio-cultural festivals where they sing, pray, dance, pay gratitude, and simply make merry as a single community.

Experiencing any festival celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh not only offers one the opportunity to enjoy the celebrations but also gives a unique peek inside the culture and traditions of the state.

Having lived in close proximity with nature since centuries, people were depended on Mother Nature for everything. From traditional handicrafts, fishing and hunting tools etc – the people developed many unique skills over the years and even today many of these skills are passed down. Apong (rice/millet wine) is the prominent drink induced by the people, especially in festivals. People used to drink it to honor the spirit guardians. Dance is an important element of the people’s heritage and traditional dancing along with priest/priestess chants, war dance and ritual dance with Buddhist connection etc are mostly performed by men. Ponung/Ponu is performed in groups by both men and women for the celebration of joyous and fortunate events in the future. A rich oral collection of folklores and chants, usually in a ballad tone, have been passed down from centuries about the historical events, myths, power of spirits and calling of deities.