North Eastern India is one of the most beautiful and rich heritage states of India. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, diverse flora and fauna. This part of India is the first to see the sunrise. This region of India protects the most endangered species, one of which is the Great Indian One Horned Rhino at Kaziranga National Park.
Here are a few fascinating facts:
Majuli in Assam is the largest river island in the world. Mawlynnong in Shillong is the cleanest village in the world. Over 220 languages are spoken in the whole of North East. The Umananda Island in Assam is the world's smallest inhabited river island.
This region is distinguished as Seven Sister states. Which are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura. These states are known to be home to more than a hundred tribes.
India is a land of cultural diversity. Among all this cultural diversity, love for music is something we see in abundance. Every year, there are music festivals organised in various parts of the country.
Enchanted Valley Carnival, NH7 Weekender, Sunburn Festival are some of the music festivals organised in major cities.
North East India region also has a huge contribution to these music festivals and organises these events with great pomp and show, unveiling people's love for music. We can witness Hornbill festival, where, all tribes gather in the aim of demonstrating their beautiful traditions, art-forms and cultural richness. We can enjoy listening to a few unique and melodious regional instruments like Sarinda, Dama and Khuang. People here find great pleasure in hosting music festivals, one of which is the well known Ziro Music Festival.
Ziro is a beautiful town in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is known for exquisite Pine Hills, Rice fields and pleasant climate. It is home to unique tribal group Apatani Tribe. It is also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Ziro Music Festival was founded in 2012 by Bobby Hano and Menwhopause guitarist Anup Kutty. Ziro Music Festival is well known for being environmentally benign and for using locally sourced material.
It features a wide range of music genres such as folk, indie rock, EDM, jazz etc performed by artists all over the world. It has featured artists like Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Damo Suzuki, Shye Ben Tzur, MONO, Divine, Louw Majaw, Sha'air n Func, Indus Creed, Peter Cat Recording Co, Menwhopause, Guru Rewben Mashangva, Sivmani, by Prabh Deep, Sukanya Ramgopal. It is spread over 4 days long.
Ziro Music Festival has two stages Danyi (Sun) and Piilo (Moon). These stages are constructed by resident craftsmen and are almost completely made of Bamboo. The Danyi is a stage for artists to perform during the day where the audience can enjoy music seated on natural grass as in a coliseum. Piilo is a stage for artists to perform during the dark when the audience stands in front of the stage and relish the music. Ziro Music Festival also has a kids zone. It has giant slides, a few big swings and a rope bridge.
One can also experience the joy of local food and beverages. Ziro Music Festival accommodates stalls that sell local food, rice beer (Apong), finger food, cupcakes. Ziro has zero plastic policy, hence, it is recommended for people not to carry plastic bottles. At the festival, the water is served in a bamboo container. Ziro Music Festival has installed trash bins all around, one must not loiter and take care to protect the heritage site.
The overture of Ziro music festival 2018 had witnessed full sold out ziro music festival 2018 tickets and there was an overflowing crowd attending the event from worldwide. Ziro music festival passes are a treat to all the music as well as nature lovers. Attending Ziro festival 2019 too would never cease to amaze you, with rich experience of local food, culture, music and unique landscape all in one package.
For people who are aiming to make it to the festival this year, Ziro Music Festival 2019 dates are just around the corner and Ziro music festival 2019 tickets are already on sale. It also has a unique BYOT (Bring your own Tents) ticket where one can carry their own tents.
The Ziro Music festival 2018 lineup observed a lot of artists from around the world. Expected Artist for Ziro Music Festival 2019 lineup are: Khasi Bloodz, Kroashia, Carolina Norbu, Burudu, Vivek Arora, Lateral, Kum Chirui, Atingkok, Sky Level, Reggae Rajahs, Damo Suzuki, The Kathmandu Killers, Alaska Snack Time, Alobo Naga & The Band (ANTB), Bint El Funk, Rizal Abdulhadi, Jambili, Thaalavattam, Dhruv Visvanath and Sofia Ashraf.
The Journey to Ziro is venturesome.
There are no direct flights to Arunachal Pradesh. One must take a flight to Guwahati, Likabali or Tezpur and then take a cab to Ziro. If you are intending to travel by train, the nearest railway station is Naharlagun (about 3 hours away from Ziro). There is an overnight train (Donyi Polo Express 15617) to Naharlagun from Guwahat. Ziro is 450 kms from Guwahati (Assam), about 12 hours by road depending on the weather. There are two main entry points to Arunachal Pradesh - Bandardewa Gate and Kimin Gate.
To enjoy your journey with all routes planned, we recommend you to use ezroadtrips to plan your trip, as one can get to their destination in the most optimised way, plan their your own itinerary, book hotels and travel care free.
You can also book Hotel rooms on your route through EzRoadTrips road trip planner.
Permits that are required to attend Ziro Music Festival:
All Non-Arunachali Indians need to take an Inner Line Permit can be obtained from the State Tourism Department. The Permit can also be obtained online and requires a passport size photograph and Identity Proof. All foreign Nationals need to take Protected Area Permit. It can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Permit is valid for 10 days.
For people who find it tedious and tiresome journey to cover, worry not, as there is an easy way to cover the trip with ezroadtrips. This covers all the required land permissions and would make your journey as a unique experience to the commuter. All you have to do is book a ride through ezride and leave the rest.
We also recommend everyone to carry a raincoat, hat, water bottle, foldable chair, headlamp, dry-bag, wellies, wallet and enough money as nearest ATM available is half an hour drive.
We believe one should experience, relish this mesmerising and culturally rich part of India and witness the joy of Ziro Music Festival.
Hope to see you all There!!
If you want to read more information about North East India Festivals then check our blog for more such information. You can share your experience with your friends/family.