Celebrating Harvest with the Khasis in Meghalaya

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Distance from Guwahati:  110 kilometres

Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states of North-East India, is a delightful holiday destination without a doubt. There’s beauty, quietude, cleanliness and serenity in every nook and corner, everything that one wants in a rejuvenating holiday. But what makes this state different from the more popular hilly areas in India are its people and their customs. Meghalaya is chiefly populated by the Khasis, who have their unique set of customs and traditions. Marked with dance performances and rituals, one such festival is Ka Pomblang Nongkrem that displays the cultural diversity of this state.

Stretching over five days in the month of November, Ka Pomblang Nongrem also known as Shad Nongrem, is a festival of thanksgiving. Smit, the culture capital of Meghalaya is the venue of the festival and if you are planning a trip to Meghalaya soon, do try to accommodate this festival in your itinerary. Smit is just 17 kilometres to the south of Shillong and this small town becomes the centre stage of great celebrations during the festival.

The most important ceremony of the festival is Pomblang or the beheading of a goat. Goat sacrifices are made during the festival to offer to the local deity, Ka Blei Synshar, and thank her for a good harvest and prosperity.

Another important event of the festival is the Nongkrem dance performed by young girls and men dressed in magnificent silk robes. Held on the fourth day of the festival, the girls form an inner circle and dance gracefully to the music of local instruments. At the same time, men dance in a concentric out circle displaying swords in one hand and whisks made of yak hair in the other. The dance of the men is more energetic as compared to the girls.

The festival is like a carnival and the mood of the people is festive and jovial. People are celebrating a good harvest and everyone can be seen revelling and enjoying feasts and performances at the festival. Young boys and girls play an important role during Ka Pomblang Nongrem as most of the performances are organised by them.

Meghalaya, the wettest state of the country, rejoices with celebrations and festivals almost all year round. The best time to visit this state in during a festival, when the customs and rituals of the state can be best explored. Another festival that takes you to the world of Khasi culture and celebrations is the Shillong Autumn Festival.

How to Reach

Meghalaya is situated in the Khasi Hills and the closest airport to the venue is the Shillong airport. In order to reach Smit, where the festivities of Nongkrem festival take place, you can hire a taxi from the airport or try and travel with the locals in the buses. There are a number of comfortable hotels in Shillong since tourism is a major industry here. Also, check-out MakeMyTrip’s exclusive holiday packages to Meghalaya, designed to give you a complete and comfortable Meghalaya experience.