Archery in Arunachal Pradesh

Archery in Arunachal Pradesh is among the most important sports of the territory. Archery is an ancient art, which is practiced in Arunachal Pradesh during the Losar festivals.

Archery is a game which is played with the help of a bow and arrow. The archer sets a target and then shoots the arrow towards it. In this context, it is noteworthy that archery is one of the ancient sports of India. In fact, archery is practiced from the Rig Vedic period in India: archery also finds reference in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Archery is a part of the Losar festival of Arunachal Pradesh, which is celebrated between February to March. During the Losar festival, people from every corner of Arunachal Pradesh join together to enjoy the thrill of archery.

In Arunachal Pradesh, archery is done with the help of bows and arrows which are generally made from bamboos. The length of bows and arrows vary according to the need of the archer. Moreover, arrows are made with a pointed metal cap, so that it pierces the target, which is generally circular in shape. The target is made 8 to 10 inches high, measuring about 15 inches by 30 inches.

Moreover, it is interesting to note that there are three ways of conducting archery in Arunachal Pradesh. Among the three ways of conducting this sport of Arunachal Pradesh are:

• Team competition
• Individual competition, and
• Fast and slow shooting.

Thus, it is evident that archery calls for a lot of excitement in Arunachal Pradesh.

Furthermore, tourists coming to Arunachal Pradesh can also enjoy the sport by trying their hand at it. The Losar festivals, indeed, seems to provide the local inhabitants, as well as the tourists with the thrill of participating in archery at Arunachal Pradesh.

Last Updated on 03 January 2011