Meghalaya set to celebrate winter fest

Shillong, Dec 11: After celebrating Autumn festival, Meghalaya is gearing up to host maiden winter festival at picturesque Williamnagar for promotion of tourism in East Garo Hills district.

The four-day festival begins from December 13 on the theme ''Peace for all Seasons.'' The festival aimed at highlighting the important tourist destinations showcasing rich traditional culture and hospitality of the Garos community, according to Chairman of Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Debora C Marak.

Ms Marak said the festival would have a package of Garo culture, history, traditions and events ranging from traditional sports to fashion shows to beauty contests, peace march, food festival and a concert for peace.

State Governor M M Jacob will inaugurate the festival.

East Garo Hills has tourist spots like Rong'bang falls, locally known as Rong'bang dare, situated 50 km from Williamnagar on Williamnagar-Tura road Rongrengiri reserve forest covers an area of over 36 square kilometers with rich flora and fauna.

East Garo hills was carved out in 1979 and its headquarters was named after Meghalaya's first Chief Minister Captain Williamson Sangma.

It was at Williamnagar the Garo crusaders made their last major futile attempt to resist British empire during 1837.

UNI