The state of Meghalaya is supposed to be the home of dances and music. The festivals of Meghalaya are connected with their special dance forms, thus they are to be enjoyed throughout the year. The festivals and dances of the peoples in Meghalaya differ according to the region and tribe. Each tribe has their own place of festivals in which they dynamically participate to improve their festive spirit and to come of their repetitive life. A variety of dances are an important part of the festivals. The majority of the festivals of Meghalaya spin around agriculture, which is the prime occupation of the state people. Consequently, most of the people around the world make Meghalaya tours to watch this diverse festivals.
Ka Pomblang Nongkrem or the Nongkrem dance, Behdiengkhlam festival and Wangala festival are some of the festivals which are celebrated in the different regions in Meghalaya. You can explore these festival when you make out the Meghalaya tours.
Nongkrem dance festival:
It is celebrated during Autumn at Smit, which is the cultural centre of the Khasi Hills. It is a 5 day long religious festival of the Khasi. Ka Pomblang Nongrem dance is popularly known as Nongkrem dance. Similar to all other festivals of the Meghalaya, Nongkrem Dance Festival is executed to pacify all the powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich bumper harvest and prosperity of the people.
Behdienkhlam Festival:
This fiesta is the most celebrated religious festival among the Pnars. Behdienkhlam (chasing away the Demon of Cholera) is celebrated annually in July after the sowing period. It is the most significant dance festival of the Jaintia tribes. This festival is also an prayer to God, seeking his blessings for a abundant harvest. The women however do not participate in the dance as they have an important function of offering sacrificial food to the spirits of the forefathers. The festival held at Jowai is one of the most well known and leisure festival in Meghalaya.
Wangala Festival:
This festival of Meghalaya is a very vital festival among the Garos of Meghalaya, India. Wangala Festival is a harvest festival held in honour of Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility. The celebration of the Wangala Festival marks the end of a period of toil, which brings good output of the fields. It also indicates the start of winter. Basically, the Wangala Festival is a way to conserve and promote the cultural identity of Garos in Meghalaya. This is one way to exhibit the culture and tradition of the region.
Meghalaya Tours 