5 Top Winter Festivals Of Northeast India

The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals

  Festivals come to the rescue to break the monotony of life. In the pursuit of our goals, chasing professional commitments, we tend to get exasperated. In the untainted atmosphere of Northeast India, festivals bring a greater joy and mirth. The resplendence of the festivals drives away the sadness and fosters warmth in human relations. Festivals in the treasure trove of splendid culture, the Northeast India, have started gaining popularity in recent years. Each festival is representative of a specific culture or religion yet it symbolizes the collective spirit of the mankind.   Here is the list of top winter festivals of Northeast India:  

• Nongkrem Dance Festival

  Nongkrem dance festival   The Nongkrem dance festival is celebrated in November at Smit, the cultural center of the Khasi hills, located near Meghalaya. It is celebrated to make an offering to the goddess Ka Blei Synshar asking for an abundant harvest. The 5-day long festival witnesses the participation of the unmarried girls who dance around in their exotic attires. The men dance with a sword in their right hand and a white Yak hair whisk in their left hand.  

• Majuli Raas Mahotsav 

  Majuli Raas Mahotsav   The famous river island Majuli hosts a grand Raas Leela around mid-November. The 4-day long festival is celebrated with much pomp and show. Majuli is famed for its luxuriant flora and boasts of a glorious history of 500 years of Satriya tradition. The adept artists depict the lives of Lord Krishna through folk dances, puppets, masks, and songs. People from far away places come to witness this spectacular and colorful festival.  

• Sangai Festival

  Sangai Festival   Previously known as the 'Tourism Festival', Sangai Festival is the annual cultural extravaganza organized by the Manipur Tourism Department. It is held between 21-30 November every year. The prime motive behind celebrating it is to promote and encourage tourism in Manipur. It exhibits the mesmerizing beauty of Northeast India. It encompasses the Manipuri dance, fashion, and the Rock shows, delectable cuisines, the show of handicrafts, indigenous sports, etc. The beautiful cultural performances leave the spectators in awe of it!  

• Hornbill Festival

  Hornbill Festival   The Hornbill Festival is the most important festival for the people of Nagaland. It is a week-long festival which marks the cultural identity of the Naga tribes. It is held in the month of December. The Hornbill National Rock concert is the main attraction of this festival. The variety of food and beer stalls are there to entertain the visitors. The warrior tribes of Nagaland have a special corner for this festival in their hearts. The multicolor festive vibe fills the atmosphere!  

• Losoong Festival

  Losoong Festival   One of the most important festivals of Northeast India, the Losoong Festival is celebrated every year in the 10th month of the Tibetian calender at Sikkim. It is the biggest carnival for the Bhutias and the Lepchas. The tourists must definitely attend this festival for its customary Cham dance, the local wine Chaang and the magnificent dance performances at various monasteries. It is the annual harvest festival of the Sikkim that attracts a huge crowd from different parts of India.   For avid travelers and the ones who wish to taste different cultures, the Northeast India is a paradise. Its unparalleled beauty attracts tourists from across the country and the world. It is bountiful and its rich cultural heritage has no match! Visit this glorious region to have an enriching experience.