The short answer
Wangala Hundred Drums Festival: what visitors should know first
If your dates fall in the autumn, this is the best cultural reason to be in Tura. Dates and venues are set each year and vary by village, so confirm them with Meghalaya Tourism before booking, and expect crowds and simple facilities.
History and context
The story behind Wangala Hundred Drums Festival
The Wangala festival is celebrated by the Garo to honour Misi Saljong, the sun god, after the harvest. Village celebrations are held roughly between September and December, with dates set locally.
The Hundred Drums Wangala was first organised at Asanang in West Garo Hills in 1976, and the large public event has since grown into a major annual gathering.
Useful facts
Wangala Hundred Drums Festival facts at a glance
- Location
- Asanang, West Garo Hills (Hundred Drums); villages elsewhere
- Experience type
- Harvest festival with drums and dance
- Dedicated to
- Misi Saljong, the sun god
- First Hundred Drums
- 1976, at Asanang
- Time or schedule
- Around November; dates vary each year
Why it matters
Why Wangala Hundred Drums Festival is worth your time
Wangala is the central festival of Garo cultural life, a thanksgiving to the sun god marking the end of the agricultural year. The first Hundred Drums event was organised at Asanang in 1976, and the large-scale gathering has since become a statewide emblem of Garo identity.
For a visitor it is the clearest way to see Garo music and dance, and to understand that the Garo Hills are a living culture, not only scenery. Because many villages hold their own celebrations on their own dates, smaller local versions also exist for travellers who are lucky with timing.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The dama drums
Long oval drums are beaten in large groups, accompanied by flutes and brass instruments.
- 02
Rugala ritual
On the first day a priest, the Kamal, performs a ritual pouring of rice beer.
- 03
Dama Gogata dance
The last day features a dance with drums, flutes and brass, in traditional Garo dress.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Wangala is a harvest festival of the Garo people, held to thank the sun god Misi Saljong for a good harvest. Wikipedia describes village celebrations running from roughly September to December, with each village setting its own date. The best-known version is the Hundred Drums Wangala at Asanang in West Garo Hills, held around November, near Tura.
The festival has ritual and performance parts. Early on, a priest known as the Kamal performs the Rugala, a ritual pouring of rice beer. Later come long oval dama drums beaten in large groups, with flutes and brass, and the Dama Gogata dance performed on the last day. Participants wear traditional Garo dress, and visitors are welcomed as spectators.
As a guest, confirm the dates and venue early, book a Tura stay in advance as rooms fill, dress modestly and ask before photographing people. Arrive well before the main performance to get a view.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm dates and venue with Meghalaya Tourism
- Book Tura accommodation well in advance
- Arrive early to get a viewing spot
- Ask before photographing participants
- Carry sun and rain protection
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Asanang, near Tura, for the Hundred Drums event; village celebrations elsewhere
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Best time
- Typically around November; check official announcements for the exact dates and venue
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The grounds are open-air with crowds, standing and limited seating, and facilities are basic. Arrive early for a seat, bring sun and rain cover, and consider attending only the main performances.
- Tickets and access
- Dates, venue and any entry arrangements change each year, and recent sources disagree on the exact venue. Confirm with Meghalaya Tourism or the district administration before travelling.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Wangala Hundred Drums Festival
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The grounds are open-air with crowds, standing and limited seating, and facilities are basic. Arrive early for a seat, bring sun and rain cover, and consider attending only the main performances.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
When is Wangala held?
Village celebrations are held roughly September to December; the Hundred Drums event is typically around November, with dates announced each year.
Where is the main event?
The Hundred Drums Wangala has been held at Asanang in West Garo Hills, though a recent edition was reported elsewhere, so check.
Who celebrates Wangala?
The Garo people, to thank the sun god Misi Saljong after the harvest.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.