Choekhor is one of the chief festivals of Arunachal Pradesh. It is celebrated to protect the crops before harvest. As per the local belief, Choekhor in Arunachal Pradesh is celebrated to prevent the crops from destruction by any supernatural power.
During Arunachal Pradesh Choekhor, the village people call up priests or monks from monastery so that they can read the holy books namely “Nyi-thri”, “Gye-tong”, “ka-gyur”, “Bum”, etc. on the last day of the festival, a large rally is taken out carrying idols of Lord Buddha and other Buddhist pantheon and some holy books on their soldiers and circle the whole farm land.
After this the whole procession of Choekhor stops for some time in the fields where the monks recite some holy hymns so as to bless the crops with good productivity. In between all these rituals, tea, popcorn, chang, etc. are offered to the members who have participated in the rally by the villagers.
Choekhor at Arunachal Pradesh is celebrated by the entire village all together so as to save their crops from spoilage before harvesting. The people pray to their gods and goddesses to save the crops. They also pray for the increase of crops and prosperity in future.
You must check out the Choekhor in Arunachal Pradesh, for it gives you an insight into the life, culture and traditions of the Monpa tribe. You can taste the delicious tribal food, check the tribal collection of arts and crafts, their tribal dress, etc.
Last Updated on 03 January 2011
