India is a land of festivals, which adds to the beauty of this country. November has arrived, and the countdown for Meghalaya’s Wangala festival has begun.
Wangala, also known as the Hundred Drum Festival, marks the annual harvest celebration of the War Khasi community. This festival is a grand display of Khasi culture, music, and communal spirit, culminating in colorful ceremonies, and will be celebrated on November 7 in 2025.
Here’s everything about this festival that is celebrated in Garo Hills that you must know.
Wangala Festival Of Meghalaya
The Wangala Festival is a significant harvest celebration of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. This festival honors Saljong, the Sun god of fertility, and it marks the beginning of winter as well as the end of the agricultural cycle.
While the celebration can extend up to a week in some villages, it typically lasts for two days. The festival features vibrant dancers, ritual offerings, and music performed on gongs, flutes, and long wooden drums.
Additionally, the Wangala Festival serves as a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the communal bonds and cultural identity of the Garos. It combines gratitude for the harvest with immense joy and happiness shared among the community.
How Is The Wangala Festival Celebrated?
This festival is celebrated in many Garo villages across Meghalaya, but the main celebrations are centered in the West Garo Hills around Asanang near Tura.
The opening rites (Ragula) of this harvest festival are performed in the house of the village’s chief (Nokma). This is to invoke the blessings for the harvest.
It is followed by offerings of cooked rice, Chu (fermented rice beer), and incense, establishing the spiritual tone for the celebrations. All the first fruits of the harvest, like rice, vegetables, and local dishes, are shared in community meals, reinforcing social bonds.
The centerpiece of this celebration is a drum orchestra that features long oval drums, buffalo-horn flutes, rang (gong), and more. This is known as Kakkat and is what the second day of celebration is all about.
The dancers or participants form two parallel lines with one of women and the other of men, who move in coordinated steps in absolutely unbelievable sync to the drumbeat.
They also wear feathered headgear and traditional garments that reflect the ceremonial costume of the Garo people.
How To Reach Garo Hills, Meghalaya
Tura, the main spot for the Wangala festival celebration, does not have an airport or railway station. Road transport is the most common and flexible way to reach Tura during Wangala or other festival visits.
Roadways
- From Shillong: Drive or take a bus via Guwahati towards Tura in the Garo Hills. It is a mountain drive of roughly 8–12 hours, depending on stops and road conditions.
- From other parts of Meghalaya, you can take a local taxi or bus to go to the village and witness the festival.
Airways
Guwahati‘s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and Shillong’s Pakyong/Shillong Airport are the nearest airports. This is because Tura lacks a commercial airport.
Railways
From Guwahati railway station, which is the nearest, road travel to Tura covers about 200–220 kilometers and typically takes around 6–7 hours by car or bus.
Tips To Keep In Mind While Attending The Wangala Harvest Festival
- Wear modest, comfortable clothing that is suitable for warm daytime hours and also for cooler evenings in the hills.
- Stay back, follow the rules, and observe the dance. The visitors may join in traditional dances after instructions from the locals.
- Avoid loud behavior during rituals and make sure to abide by the rules and regulations of sacred spaces.
- Make sure you try the traditional Garo dishes. This includes locally prepared rice dishes and curries.
- Do not miss exploring handicrafts at stalls selling bamboo crafts, textiles, and jewelry. You can also purchase them from the locals and support communities.
- There will be large festival crowds, and lodging in Tura might get difficult during the festival dates. So make sure you book early accommodations and also book local guides to help you around.
- Do not forget to ask before recording or photographing individuals or intimate rituals.
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Summing Up
From immersive drum sounds to colourful costumes, the Wangala festival is one of the most colourful and fun festivals in India, and you surely must not miss it!
