Indian Army participated with Monpa Tribe led Losar festival

Tawang: Continuing its close relationship with the indigenous Monpa tribe of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Army participated in the week-long Losar festival celebrations.

The Monpa tribe, which has its own rituals and traditions in the Tawang and West Kameng regions, celebrate the Losar festival with great fervor.
Losar is a festival of its kind in which the entire area of ​​Monpa villages come together to celebrate.

Celebrated with great fanfare and enthusiasm, Losar marks the beginning of spring and begins on the first day of the lunar calendar.
The festival begins a week before the dates in which residents clean their houses and prepare various community dishes with the most important Khow Suey.

During the festivals, the Metho ceremony is very prominent for the Tawang. During this ritual sacred fire torches are lit as well as holy chants are chanted to cleanse the evil spirit and pave the way for the Holy Spirit in the area.
The Monpa have called Tawang their home since 500 BC and are followers of Himalayan Buddhism.

In Tawang the Indian army which has been part and parcel of the local tribe was not left behind.
Army men were hosted by various village communities to participate in religious rituals, and witnessed various competitions, notably the indigenous game of archery and locally brewed barley beer traditional unusual feasts.

The local people also reached out to the Indian Army troops at their duty stations at Zimithing, Kereteng and various other places to celebrate with them.
This heart-warming gesture touched the soldiers with a sense of ‘home away from home’.

The Indian Army has adopted Monpa tribal rituals into its secular fabric and has assisted various SHOs (villages) in organizing these events.

The Tawang region has witnessed massive infrastructural development and the implementation of various government schemes specific to the development of border areas.
It has provided Monpas with opportunities and avenues for greater economic prosperity. Losar Festival connects people and colors them in the color of festivals.

The riot of colors in terms of religious flags and decorations creates such an aura of irresistible charm.
The army’s enthusiastic participation in the local traditional Losar has been well received by the local people and has highlighted the friendship and mutual trust between the army and the local population.