Discover India's Northeast

01/11/2025

WANGALA; 100 DRUMS FESTIVAL

Wangala Festival is a vibrant harvest festival celebrated by the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. Also known as the "Festival of 100 Drums," it marks the time when the community offers sacrifices to please their chief deity, Saljong, the Sun God. The celebration typically lasts two days, though in some regions it can extend up to a week. The first day features a ritual called "Ragula," conducted inside the village chief's house.
The second day, known as "Kakkat," is marked by lively festivities. Men and women of all ages dress in colourful traditional attire and feathered headgear, dancing to the rhythmic beats of long, oval-shaped drums. The hills and valleys come alive with music, as the sound of drums echoes through the landscape—making it a time of joy, relaxation, and cultural pride.

This year, the much-awaited 49th Hundred Drums Wangala Festival is scheduled to be held from November 5 to 8 at the festival’s permanent site, Wangala A’dam, Garo Heritage Village, on the outskirts of Tura.



Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ

24/10/2025

24/10/2025

GETTING HOOKED!

A courtesy call, triggered by a Facebook post of an angling event, took me to this very private dreamscape of my friend John Payne.

Located on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, where one state seamlessly merges into the other -- without the tell-tale check gates and milestones--, Abu Talam Fish Farm & Resort, Samukjuli Tarasso, Arunachal Pradesh, is a passion project of John and his family.

An amazing landscape tucked away so snugly in splendid isolation (you know it is an untouched paradise when there isn’t a red balloon on Google maps), and yet just a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Guwahati.

A couple of wrong turns and redirections from a few friendly locals, and up an unpaved hilly slope, take you to a manmade clearing, where a temporary Chang Ghar, and a concrete structure for toilet and bath, are the only intrusions into pristine natural surroundings.

From this vantage spot, you get this stunning view of towering mountain range and lush forest, and below what looks like a bowl of greenery and life – a small swath of tea plantation bordered by rubber trees, and water bodies fed by natural springs and teeming with Indian Major Carps, Chinese pomfrets, snakeheads, freshwater catfish, and many more.

No wonder, when John held a fishing tournament on 4th October 2025, over 170 avid anglers came down for a thrilling competition, a number that far exceeded John’s conservative estimate, given the fact that his dream project is still a work in progress.

I tried my luck, and within the hours, I caught enough and more for an evening snack and a sumptuous dinner. I have had my share of angling in various other places, but this haul at Abu Talam was the most fulfilling.

I can bet hook, line, and sinker that in the near future, Abu Talam Fish Farm & Resort will be a go-to destination for anglers and lovers of the quiet outdoors!



fans

Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ

08/10/2025

“India’s First Green Village”

Khonoma, a village in Nagaland, about 20 km from the state capital Kohima, is home to the Angami Nagas. This beautiful place was recognised as India’s first green village in 2005 for the conservation efforts of the Angamis, who banned hunting and logging in the area in the late 1990s.
The village is also renowned for its distinctive local crafts, especially basketry of cane and bamboo. Often referred to as a ‘warrior village,’ Khonoma is remembered for its strong resistance against British colonial forces. With its rich natural resources, history, and vibrant culture, Khonoma stands out as one of the most visited destinations in Nagaland.

(Photo Credits: Mireuyi Herie, Nepali Gandhi, Tshetsholo Naro, Neelima Mishra, Suresh Selvaraj, Ritu Varuni)


Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ

28/09/2025

INTRODUCING THE NORTHEAST
I had the privilege of giving the keynote address at the Heritage Festival in Ohio, USA. Here is my recorded presentation that was screened at the event. It's a vivid introduction to our amazing Northeast region to an international audience.

Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ
#

28/09/2025

CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE

It’s such a rewarding and wonderful feeling to share our tangible and intangible heritage, especially with a curious, receptive, and appreciative audience on foreign soil.

This month, on 19-20, Discover India’s Northeast participated in a pioneering two-day cultural event in Ohio, USA, celebrating the diverse and rich history, culture, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine, and music of Northeast India.

Conceptualised by Himalayan Folkways, it was the first-of-its-kind Northeast Heritage festival in the United States. A deliberately small and low-key affair to foster a more genuine and free-flowing exchange of viewpoints, the North East India Heritage Festival was a very open and engaging event driven by experts from different fields, and passionate volunteers eager to share the Northeast story.
Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ...

13/09/2025

NORTHEAST FEST IN THE UNITED STATES

Discover India’s Northeast is proud to be associated with the first Northeast India Heritage Festival (NEIHF) to be held in Columbus, Ohio (USA) on September 19 and 20, 2025.
Conceptualised by Himalayan Folkways, this first-of-its-kind Northeast festival in the US will showcase the history, culture, handloom and handicrafts, food, and musical instruments of Northeast India.
Discover India's Northeast—the only national magazine dedicated exclusively to India’s eight Northeastern states—will present a powerful photographic exhibition capturing the region’s rich diversity and vibrant spirit. Each image tells a unique story, offering a window into the people, culture, and landscapes that define the Northeast.
Along with the photo exhibition, there will be cultural performances, panel discussions, and presentations on tourism, commerce, and sustainable development in this lively region, which will help foster new connections and opportunities in Northeast India and the United States as well.
Local and national government representatives from India and the United States will be present.
So, invite your friends and business partners in the US to the event -- to experience the rich and diverse heritage of Northeast India.



Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ

10/09/2025

GOLDEN PAGODA OF NAMSAI

Our visit to Namsai, the homeland of the Tai Khamti tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, was nothing short of a whirlwind. Though the trip was brief and packed, the early morning walk through the tranquil Golden Pagoda complex in Tengapani was incredibly refreshing — a moment of peace amid the rush.
An iconic landmark of Namsai, the Golden Pagoda — known locally as Kongmu Kham — is a magnificent Buddhist temple that serves as a centre for meditation and prayer. Built in the traditional Thai-Burmese architectural style, the pagoda is not only beautiful but also radiates a profound sense of spirituality and calm.
Just across from the Golden Pagoda stands the world’s tallest bamboo Buddha statue, Lubhamuni, soaring at 42.7 feet. Housed within the Vipassana Meditation premises, the statue was crafted by master artisans from Shan State, Myanmar, and is reverently known as Fra Sutongpey Lubhamuni.
Getting there was fairly straightforward. My friend and I took a one-hour flight from Guwahati to Dibrugarh, followed by a scenic two-and-a-half-hour drive through lush green fields and tea gardens straight into the heart of Namsai.



Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ
https://www.facebook.com/DCMChownaMein
https://www.facebook.com/ArunachalTsm

02/09/2025

HEIKRU HIDONGBA: A FESTIVAL FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY

September is the time of year when the paddies turn a lush green, bursting into full blossom and hinting at a bountiful harvest. Wild fruits on the hillocks mellow, shedding their bitterness, ready to be savoured. Farmers, recognizing the signs of abundance, pause to celebrate the fruits of their labour.
Among the Meiteis of Manipur, this celebration takes the form of Heikru Hidongba—literally translated as gooseberry rowing (Heikru meaning gooseberry, Hidongba meaning riding on a boat). The tradition began during the reign of King Irengba in 984 AD and is observed every year on the 11th day of the Manipuri month of Langban. This year, it falls on 3rd September.
The festival is held to invoke the blessings of the deity Ebudhou Pakhangba, with offerings that include garlands made of fresh gooseberries and rice. These are presented in a ritual before the day's main event—the exhilarating Hiyang Tanaba, or traditional boat race—held at various venues across the valley.
Following the introduction of Hinduism in Manipur, a reimagined version of Heikru Hidongba also began to be celebrated in temples. According to records from the Sri Bijoy Govindaji Temple, the festival was first performed in the temple's moat in 1779, in honour of Shri Bijoy Govindaji. Today, this version blends elements of the ancient Meitei tradition with features of Vaishnavism, such as sankirtan and aarti.

(Photos by Ronel Seram and Caesar Singh Ch.)


Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ

26/08/2025

PANG LHABSOL: A HOMAGE TO KHANGCHENDZONGA

Pang Lhabsol is a unique Sikkimese festival that pays homage to Mount Khangchendzonga, the world’s third-highest peak and the highest mountain in India. Revered as the guardian deity of Sikkim, Khangchendzonga is honoured alongside other local deities during this vibrant celebration.
The festival also commemorates the historic Blood Brotherhood Treaty of the 15th century, a symbolic pact of peace and unity between the Lepcha and Bhutia communities—two of Sikkim’s major ethnic groups.
Counted among Sikkim’s most significant cultural festivals, Pang Lhabsol features the striking Pangtoed Chaam, a sacred masked warrior dance. Key characters include a dancer representing Khangchendzonga and another as Mahakala, the guardian of dharma.
The festival, which typically lasts for three days, takes place in various monasteries across the state, with Tsuklakhang Monastery in Gangtok serving as a primary venue. The celebrations also include traditional Sikkimese cuisine, cultural performances, and colourful carnivals, drawing locals and visitors alike.
This year, Pang Lhabsol begins on 7th September.

(Photographs by Agniswar Kansabanik)


Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ

19/06/2025

AMBUBACHI MELA, 22nd - 26th JUNE, 2025

Photos by Shruti Sarma



Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/

For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawH0cypleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxXfeDpzbSfBemGnS2mXQqtKkE55UWyLm0fy4dMUAFT--4V5OUduO_ejQ_aem_63NPai0PQ3qlaJfsUXeFNQ