State : Meghalaya, in the north east of India.
Time : November, every year.
Venue : Garo Hill in Megalaya, India.

Meghalaya is also known as the Abode of Clouds as the name suggests. It is a principal attraction for the tourists because of exquisite landscape and the wildlife which is the main attraction over here. The Garo Hills are also renowned for the splendid flora and fauna. It is the paradise of the photographers and the Arabella Ranges and Tura Range forms a valley in the middle of the Garo Hills.

The highest peak of the Garo Hills is Nokrek and welcomes the visitors with amazing sunset scenery. Moreover the Siju Caves are located here. It is also known as Dobakhol and is also known as the Cave of the Bats. The labyrinthine chambers are still now shrouded in mystery and undiscovered. But there is a perennial stream flowing out of it and the copious wild life in that water indicates that there are numerous things yet to be revealed.

The interesting thing about this cave is the stalagmite depositions that resemble that of Grotto, in the island of Capri. We remember Somerset Maugham, who created the Lotus Eater; he is said to have died of the beauty of the sight; similarly if you visit the Wangala Festival in the Garo Hills, you would love to live life, and drink life to the lees.

Description of the Wangala Festival:
Since the main occupation of the people of Meghalaya is Farming and Agriculture, they generally worship the Lord of Farming and Agriculture who would bless them with loads of blessings. The Wangala Festival is therefore a grand Carnival to celebrate the harvest season. This is because after year long toil the inhabitants find relief in seeing the olden harvest. So, they pay homage to the lord who has blessed them with such a splendid crop and sing and dance to offer worship to the great deity. Wangala Festival is also known as the 100 Drum Festivals because 100 drums are played in reverence to the Lord.

The deity is none but the Sun God who comes out from the east and throws light upon the path of mankind; he enlightens the darkness and a healthy crop is thus accredited to him. The tribal of the Garo Hills also offer worship with dedication and care to the Sun-God by offering sacrifices.

Sun god at Garo Hill is called Salijong and is worshipped for two to seven days at a stretch. He is also regarded as the God of Fertility. Since, “Belief in design in nature is based upon the belief in God” (Chapman Cohen), the people of Garo Hills worship the Sun God.

Time for the celebration of the Wangala Festival:
Since the Wangala Festival suggests the onset of winter it is usually celebrated in the Winter Season, at Garo Hills.