Arunachal’s Dong, where dawn breaks first, to host inaugural Sunrise Festival from Dec 29

Guwahati: The Arunachal Pradesh govt, in collaboration with local communities, is set to host the inaugural Sunrise Festival 2025-26 from Dec 29 at Dong village, the first location in the country to witness the sunrise every day.The core vision of the festival is to create an experience and community-led destination festival guided by India’s first sunrise.Spanning five days from Dec 29 to Jan 2, the festival is an extraordinary adventure-led cultural and tourism festival aimed at establishing Arunachal Pradesh as a global hub for nature, culture, adventure, heritage, and New Year celebrations centred around the sun.Dong village, located in the remote Anjaw district at the tri-junction of India, China, and Myanmar, holds immense geographical, cultural, and strategic importance. It is home to the indigenous Meyor tribe, known for their simplicity and deep connection to nature.Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on Wednesday said, “This celebration highlights Dong’s unique distinction as the easternmost point of India, where the first rays of the sun fall on Indian soil. The festival will offer visitors a rare blend of nature, culture, and adventure, while showcasing the rich heritage of our indigenous communities.” He emphasised that the festival aims to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, create new livelihood opportunities for local communities, and establish Dong as a landmark of India’s geographical and cultural identity on the global tourism map.An organiser said, “The festival is crafted as a vibrant celebration that will promote livelihood opportunities while showcasing to the world the rich cultural legacy, heritage, traditions, and belief system of the Meyor or Zakhring people (also known as the Sunrise People of Dong Valley), whose lives are deeply rooted in the worship of the sun and nurtured by their pristine land.”The festival will also feature diverse tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, including the Mishmi, Singhpho, Galo, Wancho, Nocte, Adi, Apatani, Nyishi, and Monpa, who will present their unique cultures, traditions, and living heritage on a global platform. The festival is envisioned as a vibrant convergence of communities, artists, explorers, scholars, and travellers from across India and around the world.The celebration is designed to be one of the most offbeat New Year celebrations in India. With its ‘NoTrash, NoTrace, No Excuses’ commitment, the festival aims to create a sustainable experience of adventures, from the journey to Dong to living the moment watching the sunrise, to activities and live performances.The festival will offer a wide array of immersive programmes, including indigenous sunrise ceremonies and adventure experiences such as guided treks, sunrise trails, nature walks, river activities, and eco-camping. There will also be traditional art, craft, food, and cultural showcases, engagement initiatives like workshops, folk art, craft, plein-air art and storytelling sessions, photography expeditions, village tours, artisan stalls, and a special New Year celebration with a Sunrise Pledge Ceremony on Jan 1, 2026..,