Arunachal: International Sangken Festival begins with grandeur at Namsai’s Golden Pagoda

The first-ever International Sangken Festival commenced today with great enthusiasm and spiritual fervor at the Golden Pagoda in Namsai district, marking a historic moment for Arunachal Pradesh. 

The three-day cultural and religious celebration opened to vibrant performances, traditional rituals, and a deep sense of community.

Celebrated predominantly by the Tai Khamti, Singpho, and other Theravada Buddhist communities, Sangken marks the traditional New Year, and is seen as a time of renewal, purification, and hope. Devotees performed sacred water-pouring rituals to cleanse their minds and souls, while offering prayers for peace, prosperity, and unity.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who called the event a celebration of Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural diversity and spiritual strength. Also present were Minister Ojing Tasing, Minister Dasanglu Pul, MLAs Chow Zignu Namchoom and Tapi Darang, along with senior officials and dignitaries from across the region.

Also Read: Arunachal's Ziro blooms with surge in tourist footfall; locals champion clean travel

Chowna Mein, in his address, said, “Sangken reflects our deep-rooted spiritual traditions and the values of compassion and harmony. Hosting it at an international scale not only preserves our heritage but also promotes Arunachal as a cultural destination.”

The festival, held on the serene grounds of the Golden Pagoda—a prominent symbol of Buddhist faith in the region—will continue for two more days, featuring cultural exhibitions, traditional food stalls, folk dances, and spiritual discourses, drawing both domestic and international visitors.

The International Sangken Festival is poised to become a landmark cultural event, celebrating the rich Buddhist legacy and peaceful ethos of the Northeast.