Meghalaya celebrates 50th Wangala Festival with 1,000 drummers
Organisers aim for a Guinness World Record during the golden jubilee celebrations at Wangala A’dam in West Garo Hills.
The 50th edition of the Hundred Drums Wangala Festival commenced on November 11 at Wangala A’dam, Garo Heritage Village, in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma inaugurated the four-day golden jubilee celebrations, which feature 1,000 drummers and 3,000 dancers.
The festival is a post-harvest thanksgiving event for the Garo community dedicated to the Sun God, Misi Saljong. This year's celebrations include an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records on the concluding day, November 14.
Speaking at the inauguration, Conrad Sangma said the scale of the event fulfills the vision of the late P.A. Sangma. He noted that the government provided Rs 20 crore through the Public Works Department for developing the venue and Rs 6 crore for organising this year's festival.
The Chief Minister also stated that funds have been sanctioned for the Guinness World Record attempt. He expressed the importance of protecting the state's identity and traditions while progressing.
The programme continues with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attending on November 12. Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar will be the chief guest on November 13, while Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will attend the concluding ceremony on November 14.