TULIP FESTIVAL

Tulip Festival

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KASHMIR

Tulip festival is held annually in the month of April when tulips are in full bloom. The garden looks like a silken carpet of bright colored sprawling tulips. Best time to visit is March-April. Spring is when Kashmir is at its most picturesque, and is also the season for flowering tulips. This special time of year is beautifully captured by the Tulip Festival in Srinagar, home to Asia's largest tulip garden. As well as the arresting sight of more than a million blooms, the festival features daily cultural programs, Kashmiri folk songs, sale of local handicrafts, and traditional Kashmiri cuisine.

Nearly 60 varieties of beautiful and vibrant tulips grow in this garden, spread over 5 hectors of land. Tulips remain in bloom just for 15-20 days depending upon the temperature. “Red, yellow, variegated, pink, white, orange, light blue, and magenta are the main colors of tulips. The scene is simply charismatic with floral charm. The view remains in the memory of a visitor forever. Cultural programs, Kashmiri folk songs, sale of local handicrafts, and preparation of traditional Kashmiri cuisine forms an eminent part of the entertainment of visitors during the festival.

Entry to the Tulip Garden is 50 rupees for adults and 20 rupees for children

·          First two weeks of April.

·         Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar, Kashmir. It's located in the foothills of Zabarwan range, overlooking Dal Lake.

MOPIN FESTIVAL

Mopin Festival

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Arunachala Pradesh

Mopin is the harvest festival of the hospitable Galo tribe, focused on the worship of goddess Mopin. It's celebrated to drive away evil spirits, and for acquiring prosperity and wealth. An indigenous folk dance called Popir, performed by young women, is a highlight of the festival. Traditional rice wine (apong), prepared by Galo women, is also served

The Mopin festival plays an important role in the cultural scenario of Galo Adi Tribes. Tribal people dazzle in their traditional costumes and organize the amazing 'popir dance', greatly performed by the female folk. With positioning themselves in a circular queue, they create the roaring sound of their rhythmic steps. One group assemble themselves and chant the sweet words of Ja-Jin-Ja and Baryi folk song, while the following participants complements their song with dancing. Tribal folks don themselves in white clothes and elaborate head gears. Their dangling multi-colored beaded ornaments glitz according to their foot-steps and the sparking sun-rays

The Adi Gallongs in the Along-Basar-Bame area celebrate Mopin festival in the first five days of April. Mopin is thought to bring wealth and prosperity to the households as well as to the village. It is also believed to drive away the evil shadow and to receive the blessing of God for universal happiness. The Adi Gallong villages come alive with the dancing and chanting of their rhythmic songs made livelier by smearing rice powder on each other’s face.

·         April 5, 2016.

·         East Siang and West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Festivities take place on a grand scale at Mopin Ground, Naharlagun, near capital city Itanagar

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