Guwahati: The Indian Army participated in the Losar festival’s weeklong celebrations in an effort to maintain a close relationship with the neighbourhood Monpa Tribe of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Monpa Tribe, which lives in Arunachal’s Tawang and West Kameng regions, has its own unique rites and traditions. They have a fervent and enthusiastic Losar festival celebration.
The residents of Monpa village gather for the unique holiday known as Losar, which is marked by wild celebrations. The festival, marking the onset of Spring in the Northeast state, begins on the first day of the Lunar calendar.
The festival starts a week before the dates, when people start cleaning their homes and preparing various dishes, especially Khow Suey.
The Metho ceremony, which takes place throughout the festivities, is particularly notable in Tawang, according to the press release. Sacred chanting and the lighting of sacred fire torches are used during this ritual to rid the region of any evil spirits and make room for the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Monpas are devoted adherents of Himalayan Buddhism who have lived in Tawang since 500 BC.
The people invited Army jawans stationed at Zimithang, Kereteng, and other locations to join in the festivities.
The kind act gave the troops a sense of “home away from home,” according to the press release.
The army has incorporated a number of Monpa Tribe rites into its secular culture and even helps different Sho (villages) organise these celebrations.
“The Tawang area has witnessed large-scale infrastructure development and implementations of various schemes of Government specific to the development of the border areas. This has provided the Monpas with opportunities and avenues towards greater economic prosperity. The Losar Festival interweaves people and drenches them in the colour of festivities. Riots of colour in terms of religious flags and decorations create such an aura of irresistible charm,” the release read.