Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 110001
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 110001Hi, I'm Purvi
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong, held in November, celebrates the blooming of cherry blossoms in the region. The festival features cultural events, live music performances, beauty pageants, and local cuisine. The streets of Shillong are adorned with pink cherry blossoms, creating a picturesque setting that attracts tourists from around the world and promotes eco-tourism.
Also known as the "100 Drums Festival," the Wangala Festival is a harvest festival celebrated by the Garo tribe in November. It marks the end of the agricultural year and is dedicated to the Sun God, Misi Saljong, for a bountiful harvest. The festival is characterized by traditional music, dance, and the rhythmic beat of 100 drums (Nagra), accompanied by the blowing of buffalo horns. Men and women dressed in traditional attire perform the Wangala dance, a form of thanksgiving.
Archery is a traditional sport in Meghalaya, particularly among the Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Teer, or archery betting, has even developed into a formalized activity where participants bet on the outcome of archery competitions. It remains an iconic sport, with archery ranges visible in many parts of the state. The winners are often chosen based on how close their arrow strikes a particular target.
Though primarily a cultural ritual, the Wangala Festival of the Garo tribe includes drumming competitions that test the stamina and coordination of the participants. Drumming and accompanying dance contests are integral parts of the celebrations.
Establishing a world record at 24,583 metres (24.5 kilometres) and covering an area of 13 square kilometres – two times Gibraltar – in Mawsynramwhich, Krem Puri is almost six kilometres longer than Imawari Yeuta in Venezuela (18.7 kilometres), previous record-setting long quartzite sandstone cave.
Meghalaya is renowned for its unique living root bridges, particularly in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. These bridges are crafted from the roots of the Ficus elastica tree, and some are over 500 years old. They are a stunning example of sustainable engineering.
Garo Dakmanda Textile
Ryndia/Eri Silk
Larnai Pottery
A must-try party drink, Kyat (fermented rice beer) is made from fermented rice. It is boiled along with water and garnished with local ingredients. Shillong has umpteen places that serve Kyat. There is no bar or restaurant in Meghalaya that does not have Kyat, neither is there any household that will let you leave unless you have a glass of Kyat – a true symbol of Meghalayan hospitality!
A palate cleanser, Nakhmam Bitchi is a popular soup consumed before meals and served to guests. Nakham is a special kind of dry fish, which is sun-dried or fire-dried. The fish is then fried and boiled in water, to make a thick, rich soup. It is then flavored with lots of chilies and pepper to make it tasty and tangy, suitable for the Meghalayan weather.
Rice is a staple food of Meghalaya and it is consumed in many different forms and varieties, and also as an accompaniment to other curry dishes. Pumaloi is one such favorite rice dish of Meghalayan cuisine. Pumaloi essentially means powdered rice, which has been steamed. A unique pot called Khiew Ranei is used to cook the rice. It is cooked on medium heat with just the right amount of water. Pumaloi rice is commonly served during public celebrations and festivals and is a unique part of Meghalaya culture.
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