Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung on Tuesday inaugurated a newly built Nyedar Namlo prayer centre in Palove village, located in Pakke Kessang district. The prayer centre, funded by the Department of Indigenous Affairs, is part of a broader movement to revive and promote the age-old Donyi Polo faith and cultural practices. Addressing the gathering during the inaugural ceremony, Minister Natung reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to preserving the indigenous identity of Arunachal Pradesh. He said that Nyedar Namlo centres play a critical role in enabling communities to uphold their ancestral customs, particularly the spiritual and cultural tenets of Donyi Poloism — a native faith centred on the worship of the Sun (Donyi) and Moon (Polo), symbolising feminine and masculine energy. “These prayer houses are not just places of worship,” Natung said. “They are institutions that nurture identity, foster unity, and protect the knowledge passed down by our forefathers.”
The Home Minister also revealed that the government has sanctioned funds for constructing more prayer centres under the Donyi Polo Khumko Nyedar Namlo (DPKNN) scheme. He emphasized that these cultural structures will be established across districts to serve as centres for communal harmony, spiritual learning, and cultural revitalisation. The newly inaugurated Palove Nyedar Namlo is expected to become a spiritual and cultural hub for the people of the region. Minister Natung urged community leaders and youth to take pride in their roots and actively engage in preserving their heritage in the face of rapid modernization. According to the 2001 Census, an estimated 337,000 people in Arunachal Pradesh follow the Donyi Polo faith. The state has witnessed a growing movement in recent years to formalize and institutionalize the practice, with efforts led by cultural organisations and government departments working hand in hand. The event was attended by key figures including RT Tara, President of the Nyedar Namlo Movement for Revival (NNMR); Bani Lego, Deputy Commissioner of Pakke Kessang; and Er Tayum Tok, Chairman of the Pakke Development and Infrastructure Forum (PDIF) and Superintendent Engineer of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department.
Speaking on behalf of the NNMR, RT Tara expressed gratitude to the government for recognising the spiritual needs of indigenous communities. He highlighted the revival movement’s goal of reclaiming cultural spaces and teaching younger generations about traditional wisdom and spiritual practices. The inauguration was marked by traditional rituals, community prayers, and cultural performances, reflecting the deep spiritual connection the locals have with Donyi Poloism. Attendees also discussed plans to use the centre for cultural workshops, storytelling sessions, and community events that will further enrich the local traditions. In closing, Minister Natung reiterated that such initiatives are not only about preserving the past but also about guiding the future of Arunachal’s diverse indigenous communities. “Our culture is our identity. Let us not lose it in the race for development. Instead, let us make development inclusive of our traditions,” he said.
