Meghalaya, the abode of a number of colourful tribes always is known for festive seasons. Tribes both Christians and non Christians have different faiths. They worship different gods and goddess. The Laho dance, the name of an entertainment festival of the Jaintia people makes Meghalaya no less proud which help the north eastern state beckon umpteen number of tourists from the country and abroad in April each year.

Dressed in their traditional attire, the energetic men and women throng the festival venue in the Jaintia Hills district where they participate in the dance---two young man and woman each other holding their arms. There is hardly any use of drum and pipe in this festival. These dance is generally conducted by a cheer leader who recites the ribald couplets to ensure fun and frolics.

<p>November brings festivity to Meghalaya where the various tribes in the colourful north eastern state find an occasion to showcase their culture and tradition. The season is ideal for the Khasi people in the abode of cloud to celebrate the Ka Pomblang Nongkrem or Shad Nongkrem. The focus falls on Smit, the capital of the Khyrem Syiemship near Shillong where the khasis observe the thanks giving day to the goddess ka Blei Synshar for bounteous harvest.<br><br>The striking feature of festival is Pomblang where goats are decapitated by the subjects to the 'Syiem' of Khyrem. Here the offerings are made to the forefathers of the ruling clan and the deity of Shillong peak (U-Lei Shillong). The eldest sister of the king whom they call 'Ka Syiem Sad', normally presides over the formalities followed by a sanctification ceremony . On the fourth day of the festival, dressed in traditional attire the Khasi men and women participate in the Nongkrem dance.&nbsp;<br><br>The people at the festival venue eagerly keep waiting to see the opening dance where the virgins from the Syiems participate under an umbrella of the Syiem Sad. They further call it the royal dance a drawn –break of the day. Clad in silk dress with a sword the young lads dance to the tune of drum beats and pipes which they call Tangmuri. That’s popularly known as Nongkrem dance. More attractive is the men's performance in energetic dancing in the festival which ends on the fifth day.</p>

The Garos in Meghalaya are known for fun and frolic. They celebrate a number of festivals each year which beckon no less tourists from the country and abroad. Tura steals the march on December 17 and 18 where the Garos celebrate the Ahia winter festival like the Wangala festival. The word “Ahaia” is a poetic song by the Ambengs who belong to the Garos. Both Wangala and Ahaia are celebrated to appease the giver and taker Garo gods with songs and dances. These speak volumes of the tribe, their characteristics and unique cultural heritage which are charming indeed. Every single word of the sings boasts of their diversity and rich cultural heritage of the Garo people.

Cultural shows, fashion shows, food stalls pull huge crowd irrespective of castes and creeds in the majestic Garo hills. 

 

Meghalaya is a storehouse of talents. Events after events in the beautiful north eastern state gives the tribal people no less scope to showcase their culture and talents. Finally, these events boost tourism corner that fetches huge revenue to the abode of cloud. Another festival that witnesses commendable tourists footfall is Pinjera festival.
 
The tourists take delight of the occasion at William Nagar with music, culture along with other entertainment programmes. Indigenous games and sports are lined up to celebrate the event with all pomp and gaiety.


Venue: William Nagar

Tyisam, the name of a solemn festival brings no less joy and freshness to Sikkim and its people apart from promoting tourism in the north eastern state. Festivity grips Baghmara area in the bounteous hilly state where thousands of people throng the sandy beaches of the river Simsang to soak in the joy of Tyisam festival. Cultural troupes from the north eastern region and outside transform the spot into a mini India where tradition and culture of the various ethnic groups dazzle pomp and gaiety. The festival comprises a huge exhibition by the local artisans and entrepreneurs, tug of war, boat race, inter block folk dance, folk songs, beach Sports.

Despite pinching coldwave, the north eastern city of Shillong strikes no less attention of the tourists who throng the Scotland of the East to share the joy of the Golf Course Tournament. The annual event of great excitement begins on November 30 to conclude on December1. Players and tourists from the far flung parts on this planet make the occasion more cheerful. The spot, one of the scenic and oldest course in the world, wears a festive look at the fag-end of November. Braving the chill, people in large number arrive in the golf course premises treading on road covered with thickening pine groves itself suggests the beauty and bounty of the city which hosts the crowd pulling event.

The annual event welcomes the prominent foreign players to make it a true course of golf tourism in the premier north eastern state. The prize amount of this professional event is also huge now a days.

A group of British servicemen brought Golf in the city in 1898 with a 9 hole course at Laban. Then its popularity gathered momentum during the first world war the western golfers residing in West Bengal upgraded it into an 18 hole designed by Capt. Jackson & C.K.Rhodes.

Spring is a season of beauty and bounty which gives Meghalaya a fresh lease of life. With the advent of the queen of the seasons, flowers start blooming brightly in the nook and corner of the abode of cloud. The season brings festivity to the joyous tribal people who cannot but celebrate the occasion.

The spotlight falls on the All Saint Hall in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya where varieties of flowers, agricultural products are kept for exhibition and sale. The tourists take delight in intoxicating sights, sounds and smell as soon as they celebrate the joy of the non religious flower festival in April. During the last couple of years, the photographers from the far flung areas of the country to capture the beauty and bounty of the state in the cameras.