Shillong

Festive Celebrations

One of the most popular festivals is the Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, a religious dance festival celebrated in thanksgiving for a good harvest and peace and prosperity of the city. The festival is held for 5 days in November and is characterised by the Pomblang Ceremony, during which goats are sacrificed and offerings made to the ancestors of the rulers and the patron deity Leishyllong. The Nongkrem dance is the most colourful aspect of this festival, when your boys and girls don bright garments and jewels and dance to the tunes of drums and pipes.

Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem or Dance of the Joyful Heart is another important Khasi festival that lasts for three days. Celebrated in April, it is characterised by song and dance performances by men and women dressed in traditional garbs. The Wangala Festival is an important celebration among the Garo tribe. This harvest festival is held in honour of Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility and is characterised by sacrifices made to please the sun god. A must-see event during this festival is the dance performed by locals, who dress in colourful costumes and feathered headgears. Christianity is extremely prevalent; hence Christmas and Easter are celebrated with great fervour.

We seriously recommend visiting Shillong during the famous Shillong Autumn Festival. This festival is probably the best time to watch the cultural richness of the region as traditional songs and dances and sports are organized. There are a variety of cuisines, stalls selling handicrafts and activities including kite flying, archery and boat racing - everything that is guaranteed to entertain you.