The small and sleepy little town of Tura, Meghalaya, comes alive every year during Christmas and New Year. This valley is nestled in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, below the foothills of Tura Peak. It is 220 km from Guwahati. Shillong is 323 km away and can be accessed via buses or the shuttle helicopter service.
Brightly lit reindeers added more holiday cheer!
Image courtesy: Bonkam S. Manda
In December 2003 the tallest Christmas tree of the world (at 119.3 feet) was erected at Dobasipara, Tura, by the Baptist boys of Dobasipara. This was covered by BBC and widely broadcast on television. The tree was decorated with 16,319 coloured light bulbs and took almost 14 days to complete the decoration.
Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?
Image courtesy: Dingdim Sangma
Beautifully decorated trees with lights can be seen in and around the town from late November onwards. This grand occasion is filled with social gatherings of family and friends, dinner parties, door-to-door Christmas carols, church cantatas, midnight services and a lot of dancing till the wee hours of the morning.
Lanterns illuminate the street
Image courtesy: Bonkam S. Manda
A Christmas selfie with the Christmas tree is a must!
Image courtesy: Bonkam S. Manda
Garo people enjoy their festive meals. Traditional Garo food includes boiled rice, different preparations of pork, beef, chicken and dry fish. The common delicacies are Wak Pura (pork cooked with crushed rice), Kapa (meat fried with soda and boiled with fresh garden spices), Gominda Wak (pork cooked with pumpkin) Nakam Bitchi (dry fish made with chillies and soda), Chambil Wak (pork made with a type of citrus fruit) and many more.
Sakkin Gata, made with sesame seeds, rice powder and sugar
Image courtesy: Bonkam S. Manda
Special Christmas delicacies include rice cakes called Sakkin (made with locally grown sticky rice and sesame seed) and pitta (made with crushed sticky rice and jaggery).
Winter town magic!
Image courtesy: Bonkam S. Manda
Another important festival celebrated by the Garos is Wangala – a harvest festival during the month of November. People dress up in colourful traditional attires (Dakmanda, Daksari or Gando) and dance to the beats of a hundred drums (dama). Winter festivals are also organised during mid-December throughout Garo Hills, showcasing some of the best talents on stage.
Santa Claus really did come to town
Image courtesy: Bonkam S. Manda
Used plastic bottles look way better with lights in it rather than being littered everywhere.
Image courtesy: Bonkam S. Manda
Rudy Marak
25 years of age, Rudy is from West Garo Hills, Meghalaya. She loves waterfalls, rainbows and food. Currently working as a store manager at Sollfege Guwahati, travel is the perfect catalyst for her happiness. Friends and family keep her sane, but also drive her crazy sometimes. She wants to keep Living, Loving and Learning.
