As Arunachal Pradesh awaits to usher in the New Year with the first rays of the sun at Dong village in Anjaw district, Chief Minister Pema Khandu noted that the ongoing Sunrise Festival in the village could emerge as a major tourism attraction for the Northeast in the coming decade.Khandu, who inaugurated the five-day Sunrise Festival on Monday, highlighted its long-term vision to create meaningful opportunities for local entrepreneurs, promote sustainable tourism, and support the growth of small businesses in the region. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the festival has been conceived with a forward-looking approach, aiming to grow steadily over the years while strictly adhering to the principle of “leave no trash, leave no trace.”
Nestled in the far eastern reaches of Anjaw district, Dong village holds immense geographical, cultural and strategic importance. The village is home to the indigenous Meyor tribe, known for their close bond with nature and distinct cultural traditions.The festival began with sacred Meyor rituals, invoking the spirits of the mountains and forests and offering prayers to the deities, grounding the celebrations in the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of the indigenous community. Khandu lauded the growing tourist footfall at the Sunrise Festival, calling it a milestone in promoting border tourism and highlighting the state’s cultural and geographical uniqueness. Organised by the Arunachal Pradesh government in collaboration with local communities, the festival aims to showcase Dong village, one of the easternmost inhabited villages of India, known for witnessing the country’s first sunrise. It will continue till January 2, 2026.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who also attended the inaugural ceremony, expressed his delight at witnessing the festival at the location where the first sunrays in the country are seen. He noted that the Sunrise Festival draws inspiration from the historic fact that the first rays of the new millennium’s sunrise touched the hills of Anjaw district.
