The north-eastern state of Meghalaya is not all about the vast green landscape and thunderstorms, but it is also about its mesmerizing culture and festivals. Meghalaya festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement. These festivals and traditions are being celebrated for generations. That is why even the younger generation knows about their culture and traditions. Even though nowadays people are a bit busy in their lives, people of Meghalaya do not forget to celebrate their festivals with all the rituals and traditions.
To know about the different festivals celebrated in Meghalaya and how they are celebrated, continue reading:
1) Shillong Autumn Festival
Shillong Autumn Festival is one of the famous festivals of Meghalaya. With music performances and flower shows, it is a cultural extravaganza festival that is mainly celebrated in Shillong. Since it is celebrated in October and November month of the year, it attracts a lot of tourists because of the amazing weather. This festival displays many fun activities such as music performances, fashion shows, food festivals, and much more.
Highlights: Music performances, fashion shows, food festivals, dance performances
Where it is celebrated: Shillong
When it is celebrated: October and November
Duration: 1 day
2) Cherry Blossom Festival
Who wants to visit Japan when you can get the experience of cherry blossoms in Meghalaya. Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most beautiful Meghalaya festivals that shows the beauty of pretty pink cherry blossoms. It turns the state capital and East Khasi hills in pink with its glorious pink flowers. Besides enjoying the cherry blossoms at the festival, you can also have fun with rock concerts, dance performances, bike rallies, and much more.
Highlights: Rock concerts, Dance performances, Bike rallies
Where it is celebrated: Shillong
When it is celebrated: Mid-November
Duration: 2-3 days
3) Shad Sukra
In the month of April or May, the Shad Sukra is celebrated by the Jaintia people every year. Since it signals the start of the sowing season, Shad Sukra is one of the main Meghalaya festivals. In this festival, they pray to have a bountiful and fruitful season. The festival is accompanied by dance performances by men and women with flutes and drums. One must go and witness this beautiful culture at Jowai Town that is just 64 km away from the capital city of Shillong.
Highlights: Dance performances with flute and drums
Where it is celebrated: Jowai Town
When it is celebrated: April and May
Duration: 3 days
4) Nongkrem Dance Festival
The Nongkrem dance festival is mainly celebrated by the Khasi community. It is celebrated every year at Smit that is 15 km away from Shillong. Since Ka Syiem Sad are the head of the Khasi state, they are considered the caretaker of the ceremonies. Besides being the harvest festival of Meghalaya, this festival is also celebrated for the peace and prosperity of the people. Shad Mystieh dance is the main attraction of this festival that represents the protection of men over women.
Highlights: Shad Mystieh dance and Khasi food
Where it is celebrated: Smit
When it is celebrated: Autumn
Duration: 5 days
5) Shad Suk Mynsiem Festival
The Shad Suk Mynsiem festival is of the most fun festivals of Meghalaya that is celebrated by individual family clans or the Khasi state. In this festival, dance performances are prepared by unmarried girls while the man circles the women brandishing his sword. This colorful festival is also known as Shad Phur. Shad Suk Mynsiem festival represents women as the bearer of seeds and men as cultivators.
Highlights: Colorful dance
Where it is celebrated: Weiking ground
When it is celebrated: April
Duration: 3 days
6) Seng Kut Snem
Seng Kut Snem festival marks the prominence of the Seng Khasi movement. It is a festival celebrating the faith and culture of the Khasi faith. Sixteen young men formed an organization on November 23, 1899, called the Khasi Young Men’s association. They formed it to preserve the indigenous way of life under assault by the British. So, this is the festival to celebrate the anniversary of this movement. During the celebration of this festival, elders impart oral teachings, faith, beliefs, behavior, and etiquette.
Highlights: Finest traditional clothing
Where it is celebrated: Shillong
When it is celebrated: November
Duration: 1 day
7) Wangala Festival
When it comes to the Garo people, the Wangala festival is one of the most important festivals of Meghalaya. It is the harvest festival of Meghalaya that is also known as Misi-A-Gilpa-Saljong-Galapa and the Hundred Drums festival. As the name suggests, this festival is quite famous for men playing a hundred drums with women dancing through the beats. At this festival, you can see Garo people practicing the old religion while having fun with each other.
Highlights: Men playing a hundred drums
Where it is celebrated: Garo Hills
When it is celebrated: September to December
Duration: 2 days
8) Behdeinkhlam Festival
Behdeinkhlam is a festival of Meghalaya that is all about tall structures decorated with colorful paper and tinsel. This beautiful festival is celebrated for four days by the Jaintia clan. If you don’t know, the meaning of Behdeinkhlam is “Chasing away the Plague”. There are various rituals and sacrifices performed during this festival to ward off evils successfully. It is one of the most entertaining festivals of Meghalaya.
Highlights: Tall structures decorated with colorful paper and tinsel
Where it is celebrated: Jowai Town and Jaintia Hills
When it is celebrated: July
Duration: 4 days
9) Strawberry Festival
To promote farmers and food production from the fruit, Meghalaya has been hosting the Strawberry festival every year. People from every corner come to Umsning and Sohliya village to enjoy lush, delicious, and sweet strawberries. Besides enjoying them, this festival is also about the growth of the local farmers. And, in a way, it supports their economy as well.
Highlights: Enjoy lush and sweet strawberries
Where it is celebrated: Umsning and Sohliya village
When it is celebrated: February
Duration: 1 day
