Fairs and Festivals of Meghalaya

Fairs and Festivals of Meghalaya portray the culture of the Himalayan State. Nestling amidst the snowcapped ranges it is captivating to follow the tribal culture, their means of lively hood and entertainment. Nature is a separate entity among these forlorn villages. It is sometimes heart rendering to find the weather beaten faces of the elderly Meghalayan making their way through the treacherous terrains. The fairs and festivals of Meghalaya are celebrated which have their origins in their pagan religion. The people of Meghalaya thank nature God for its bountiful benevolence by offering prayers and holding fairs.

Nongkrem Dance

To commemorate the evolution of Khasi indigenous democratic states Nongkrem is celebrated during autumn at Smit, the cultural centre of the Khasi Hills.

Shad Suk Mynsiem

It is a thanksgiving festival celebrated in spring in the Khasi Hills. It is the traditional way of showing allegiance to the nature God for its bountiful resources and appeasing them bestow their benevolence forever. Dressed in their finery and colorful dresses men and virgin girls dance to the rhythmic beats of the tangmuri. Tangmuri is the traditional musical instrument of the hills consisting of drums and pipes.

Behdienkhlam

A festival celebrated to invoke the blessings of the Lord for good harvest and to keep away diseases and plague, Behdienkhlam is celebrated during the monsoon months of July at Jowai and Tuber in Jaintia Hills. Religious ceremonies accompanied with dancing in the pool called ‘eit nar’ are the major part of the celebrations. A football game called 'datlawakor' is also played but the ball is a wooden ball.

Wangala

One of the important festivals of the Garos, it is a four day celebration held during the autumn after the harvest. All prayers and rituals are offered to Patigipa Rarongipa, the village deity. Elaborated rituals are held accompanied with merriment. On the final day the festival ends with the warrior dance which is a delightful spectacle.

Doregata Dance

Doregata Dance festival is another interesting dance festival where both the women and men dance in tango. The audience breaks into peals of laughter when women knock off the turbans of their male partners using their heads.

Lahoo Dance

Performed by both male and female Lahoo dance provides great entertainment. With two men on either side the women with their male partners dance to the impromptu recitation of the cheerleader, dressed in their best finery.

This beautiful land of abundant natural beauty has immense tourist attraction. The fairs and festivals of Meghalaya are celebrated which have their origins in their pagan religion. The people of Meghalaya thank nature God for its bountiful benevolence by offering prayers and holding fairs. Log on to northeastindia.com to know about the Fairs and Festivals of Meghalaya.