SI-DONYI & TORGYA FESTIVAL
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DAY-01: 02 JAN. 2012 : Arrival at DIBRUGARH
Arrival at Dibrugarh airport, transfer to hotel. Evening free for Independent activity . Overnight at Dibrugarh.
DIBRUGARH is the gateway to the “Hidden Land” of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Northern Myanmar. The Ahoms from Thailand came through Northern Myanmar to this area in the 13th century to establish their Empire which thrived in the ancient land of Assam. It is the “Camellia” town of Upper Assam, an undisturbed haven, with its rich tea gardens resembling a lush green carpet.
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DAY-02: 03 JAN. 2012 : DIBRUGARH – PASIGHAT
After breakfast transfer to ferry port, board on ferry to Pasighat (05 hrs on river). Arrival at Pasighat and check into hotel. After lunch visit Rani Village of Adi Minyiong Tribes. Evening witness the local market and in and around. Overnight at Pasighat.
PASIGHAT: The district headquarters of East Siang district, the oldest administrative centre of erstwhile NEFA. Situated on the bank of the mighty Siang River, the main tributary of Brahmaputra bound on both sides by snow-clad peaks, rocky Mountains and virgin forests.
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DAY-03: 04 JAN. 2012 : PASIGHAT – AALOO
After breakfast drive to Aaloo (Along) (120 kms / 06 hrs), enroute visit galo Tribal villages. Reach Aalo check into hotel and after refreshment we visit Kabu and Pobdi village of Galo tribes. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Aaloo.
AALOO: It is located at an altitude of 300 m from the sea level. Sitting amidst abundant natural surroundings, Along in Arunachal Pradesh is a small town with beautiful villages. Along Arunachal Pradesh is a most ideal place to spend the hot summer seasons. The picturesque surroundings laced with brilliant plantations makes Along in Arunachal one of the most perfect health resorts of India. |
DAY-04: 05 JAN. 2012 : AALOO – DAPORIJO
After breakfast proceed to Daporijo (175 kms / 07 hrs). Enroute we will drive through the Nishi tribal villages, enroute lunch (packed). Reach Daporijo and check into guest house or hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Daporijo.
DAPORIJO: It is the headquarter of ‘Upper Subansiri district’. It stands at an elevation ofaround600metersfromsealevel.Daporijo inhabitants go on to have belonged to Hill Miri, Adi Gallong, and Tagin tribe. |
DAY-05: 06 JAN. 2012 : DAPORIJO
After breakfast attend the Si- Donyi festival of Tagin tribe of Arunachal. Overnight at Daporijo.
SI –DONYI FESTIVAL: The celebration of Si-Donyi festival isheld generally after the harvest. Adance is performed by women during Si-Donyi as a prayer to God for
Plentiful crops. In this celebration, everyone takes active part irrespective of age, sex and sects. People had a wish and desire to contribution to the better performance of the Si-Donyi festival. The contribution depends upon one’s ability- some contribution in the form of physical labour where some people contribution materials, money, mithun, apong and so on. The males in the village remains busy with outdoor preparations whereas the women remain busy in preparing indoor items. During this festival everyone plays with etting (a maximum of apong and rice powder) which symbolizes thesign of purification and festivity.Most important element of the Si-Donyi festival is the performance of some mythological dances. Some of the most important mythological dances performed during Si-Donyi festival are:a) Sune-Rabo b) Takar Gene c) Koni-Bokar d) Hoye penam Boys and girls in colourful dresses perform these dances. People believethat by celebrating the Si-Donyi festival the creators Si and Donyi willbe satisfied and will bless the people with good crops prevent Diseases. Si-Donyi festival is described as the festival for prosperity and success. The Si-Donyi festival has got a tremendous influence and impact uponthe day-today life of the Tagins. |
DAY-06: 07 JAN. 2012 : DAPORIJO – ZIRO
After breakfast we will proceed to Ziro. Enroute visit Raga Village of Nishi Tribes (earlier known as Hill Miri) and lunch enroute (packed), reach Ziro check into hotel. Eveing at leisure. Overnight at Ziro.
ZIRO: The headquarter of Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, located at an altitude of 1560metres, is a plateau surrounded by Apatani tribal villages. |
DAY-07: 08 JAN. 2012 : ZIRO
After breakfast visit to Apatani Tribal villages. Afternoon visit to local market. Overnight at Ziro. |
DAY-08: 09 JAN. 2012 : ZIRO – ITANAGAR
After breakfast drive to Itanagar (170 kms / 05 hrs). At Itanagar visit Ita Fort and Nishi villages in and around. Overnight a Itanagar.
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DAY-09: 10 JAN. 2012 : ITANAGAR – NAMERI / BHALUKPONG
After breakfast drive to Nameri National Park / Bhalukpong (280 kms / 07 hrs). Overnight at Nameri/ Bhalukpong. |
DAY-11: 12 JAN. 2012 : NAMERI - DIRANG
After breakfast we will proceed to Dirang. En route at Tipi 06 kms from the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam visit Tipi Orchid Centre for varieties of Wild Orchids. On reaching Dirang check into hotel and evening at leisure.
Dirang: Located at an altitude of 1439 mtrs, it has Hot water springs where people take bath for curing skin ailments, Apple and Kiwi orchards, National Yak Research and Breeding Centre at Nigmadung, Sheep Breeding Farm and Sangti Valley where Siberian black necked storks visit during winter are the places worth visiting.
Overnight at Dirang. |
DAY-10: 11 JAN. 2012 : NAMERI
Morning boats down the Jia Bhorali River, afternoon trek inside the Nameri National Park. Overnight Eco Camp. |
DAY-12: 13 JAN. 2012 : DIRANG:
After breakfast fullday sightseeing of Dirang, visit Monpa villages. Overnight at Dirang. |
DAY-13: 14 JAN. 2012 : DIRANG - TAWANG
After breakfast drive to Tawang 145 kms/ 7 hrs, the birth place of the 6th Dalai Lama. Overnight at Tawang. |
DAY-14: 15 JAN. 2012 : TAWANG – LUMLA – ZEMITHANG - TAWANG
After breakfast Excursion to Lumla at the Bhutan frontier border, continue drive to Zimithang, where the Gorsam Chorten, one of the three kind in the world. Drive back to Tawang for overnight stay. |
DAY-15: 16 JAN. 2012 : TAWANG
Morning drive to Tawang Monastery 2nd largest Monastery in Asia, Attend the 1st day of the Torgya festival. Overnight at Tawang.
NOTE: THE DATE OF TORGYA FESTIVAL DEPENDS ON THE TIBETIAN CALENDER.
TORGYA FESTIVAL: On the first day of the festival the worship which is performed is known as 'Torgya'. For this particular worship, a make belief image is made of ghee, barley, milk, and molasses in the name of "Lama Tsongkapa" and this particular image is known as 'Torma'. As far as the image of 'Torma' is concerned , it should be approximately 3 feet in height and 2 feet in breadth and for the preparation of 'Torma' the amount of barley should be proportionately more than other ingredient. The 'Torma' is prepared by a group of priest (Lamas) of the Tawang monastery fourteen days before the actual festival begins. From the first day of the making of the 'Torma', holy scriptures are read by a group of priests from the Tawang monastery. The reading of the scriptures is accompanied by the beating of drums by another group of Lamas. In the meantime, a huge amount of dry bamboo leaves are collected in a heap which is known as 'Mechang' . infact, from a far of distance, it looks like a temple. On the 10th of January, the 'Mechang' is burit by the Head Lama (Khambu) of the monastery. He is also accompanied by other Lamas while burning the 'Mechang'. Meanwhile, the 'Torma' is carried near to the fix- place by some other Lamas. These are known as 'Arpo'. Moreover, the 'Lamas' who carries the 'Torma' used to wear bells at their waists. This group of lamas is accompanied by other two Lamas. One of them wears a male Yak horn mask, and the other a female Yak horn. Both the Lamas are known as 'Choige-yap-yum'. ‘Choige’ means a servent, ‘Yap’ means male and ‘Yum’means female.It is because of this, Lamas Tsongkapa had two servants, one male and the other female. They are also followed by other Lamas who carries drums, cymbals and and swords. The drums and the cymbals are played on the way. After reaching the 'Mechang' , the 'Torma' is thrown in the blazing fire after touching it by the head Lama (Khambu). The touching of the 'Torma' by the head Lama is known as 'Sanggona- Torgya and because of this connection the festival is known as 'Torgya'. After this ritual, the head Lama returns to the monastery and the other Lamas follow him.
On the last day of the "Tawang-Torgya' festival, a worship is performed which is known as 'Wang' at the monastery. For this barley, sugar or molasses are mixed and congealed first and then agglomerated to several ball shaped sweets called 'Tseril' which are distributed by the Lamas to those who have attended the festival. Along with these sweet balls (Tseril) local beer (Tse-Chang) is also offered as oblation in a bowl of human skull. As soon as the prayer is over, the oblation is distributed and every person should received at least a drop or two of this drink. When the distribution of 'Tse-chang' is over, the head Lama or 'Khambu' offers blessings to evry person by touching their head with a ritual object known as 'Tse-Boom for a happy and prosperous life. Meanwhile, when the offering or blessings by the head -Lama continues the other lamas tie a priece of cloth on every persons neck either of the colour of white, red, blue etc. which is about half to one inch in breadth. Similar piece of yellow cloth is being tied on the neck of the 'lamas' and the 'Anes' by a senior lama of the monastery which indicated the signs of long and happy life |
DAY-16: 17th JAN. 2012 : TAWANG
Full day attain festival at Monastery. Overnight at Tawang. |
DAY-17: 18th JAN. 2012 : TAWANG
After breakfast explore in and around and later attend the festival. Overnight at Tawang. |
DAY-18: 19th JAN. 2012 : TAWANG – BOMDILA
After breakfast drive back to Bomdila (185 kms / 08 hrs), for overnight stay. |
DAY-19: 20 JAN. 2012 : BOMDILA - TEZPUR
After breakfast at Bomdila drive to Tezpur (180 kms / 05 hrs). Overnight at Tezpur. |
DAY-20: 21 JAN. 2012 : TEZPUR – GUWAHATI.
Early morning drive to Guwahati airport connects flight for onward journey. |
