Festival in Meghalaya

Meghalaya literally means the land of clouds. The state of Meghalaya is believed to be the home of dances and music. The festivals of Meghalaya are associated with their different dance forms and hence they are to be enjoyed throughout the year. Each tribe has its own set of festivals in which they actively participate to enhance their festive spirit and to come of their monotonous life. In fact the indigenous festivals of this beautiful state mirror its diverse heritage during the celebration of the seasonal cycle of sowing and harvesting. Most of the festivals of Meghalaya revolve around agriculture, which is the prime occupation of the state people. Although some religious and spiritual sentiments are interwoven into secular rites and rituals, the pre-dominant themes of the festivals is to offer prayers to the Supreme Being who is known by different names in different Naga dialects. But participation of all in these festivals is compulsory.

Behdienkhlam

This is one of the most popular festivals of Meghalaya. It is celebrated during the monsoon season in the month of July at Jowai and Tuber in the hills of Jaintia. This grand festival is characterized by religious ceremonies and dancing at a pool called it nar and also includes a football game called datlawakor. This festival is essentially celebrated to seek the blessings of the Almighty for a bounteous yield of crops in the following year and also to chase away various kind of diseases and plague.

Shad Suk Mynsiem

This colorful festival of Meghalaya is in fact a thanksgiving festival celebrated during the season of spring all over Khasi hills. The beautiful maidens adorn themselves in traditional finery and men-folk in vibrant colored costumes participate with much enthusiasm in the traditional dance to the accompaniment of drum beats and other musical instruments.

Wangala

This is a major festival of the Garo tribes in the state of Meghalaya and is gaily celebrated after the harvest season. During this festival the locals hold propitiation ceremonies in honor of the deity Patigipa Rarongipa in almost every village of the state. The people of the state follow the religious rites and rituals with much veneration for a consecutive period of four days and nights accompanied by unrestrained jollity. The conclusion of the festival is marked by the warrior`s dance which is indeed a magnificent and enchanting spectacle to observe.