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Solung: the Adi harvest festival of the Siang valleys
Harvest songs beside the Siang, the Brahmaputra just down from Tibet
Solung is the most important festival of the Adi people of Arunachal Pradesh, celebrated in the Siang valleys where the Brahmaputra, here called the Siang, comes down from Tibet. Dates: 1–3 September 2027; the date is fixed at 1 to 3 September and appears on the state holiday list. It comes once sowing and rice transplanting are done, to ask for a good harvest and protection from calamity, and Pasighat in East Siang is the easiest place to see it.
The date is fixed; the Arunachal Pradesh holiday list, issued in August or September of the previous year, carries it, and the East Siang district issues its local-holiday order.
The legend
Solung is the main festival of the Adi people. It comes once sowing and rice transplanting are done, to ask the gods for a good harvest.
It also asks for protection from calamity, fire, accidents and disease. Traditionally up to seven days long, it now often runs three, from 1 September.
Customs
Ponung
Young women dance the ponung while the miri, the shaman, chants the story of how the Adi and all creatures came to be.
Yakjong
Children in bright traditional dress go from house to house, dancing and blessing each home.
What happens at Solung
Solung is a village and community festival, not a staged show. The East Siang district explains the name through the mithun, a semi-domesticated bovine: so refers to the mithun, the main animal offered, and lung to a herd. Mithuns are sacrificed during the festival.
The miri, the shaman, chants the story of how the Adi and all creatures came to be, while unmarried young women dance the ponung, the folk dance of Solung. The festival also asks for protection from fire, accidents and disease. It was traditionally up to seven days long and now usually runs three, from 1 September; Upper Siang district holds a longer programme around these days.
For the clothes you will see: Adi women wear the gale (a wrap skirt) and galuk (blouse) with silver ornaments, men the lubling coat and the dudap neck ornament, and each Adi sub-group has its own style. The traditional drinks are apong, made from fermented millet, and rice beer.
Permits to enter Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is an Inner Line state, so every visitor from outside needs a permit before crossing in from Assam.
- Indian citizens — Indian citizens from outside the state need an Inner Line Permit, issued online as an eILP on the state portal, eilp.arunachal.gov.in. Tourist eILPs are issued for a fixed number of days, so choose one that covers your whole stay.
- Foreign nationals — Foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit, which can be applied for as an ePAP on the same portal. The UK Foreign Office advises applying three months before arrival.
- On the road — The UK Foreign Office notes that protests, blockades and large gatherings are common in India's north-eastern states. Keep a little slack in the plan and follow local advice.
Getting to Pasighat
Pasighat is the headquarters of East Siang district, on National Highway 52.
- By train
The nearest railhead is Murkong Selek (Jonai) in Assam, about 38 km from Pasighat.
- By air
Dibrugarh (Mohanbari) airport in Assam is connected with Delhi and Kolkata via Guwahati. Pawan Hans helicopters link Mohanbari and Pasighat on scheduled days.
- By road and river
State Transport runs daily buses from Itanagar to Pasighat, bookable on the APSTS e-ticketing site. Boats also cross daily from Dibrugarh to Oiramghat, where a local bus covers the last 25 km.
Being a guest at Solung
Solung is open to visitors, but it is first a community's own festival.
- Ask before photographing — Ask before photographing people, the miri's rites or the inside of homes, and accept a refusal.
- Sacrifice is part of the rite — Mithun sacrifice is part of Solung. If you would rather not see it, ask your hosts when it takes place.
- Go with a local contact — Village celebrations are easier to join through a homestay host or local guide than on your own.
What to combine it with
Solung falls at the start of September, which puts it within reach of a trip built around the Ziro Festival of Music later in the month; the state tourism circuit Itanagar, Ziro, Daporijo, Aalo and Pasighat links the two valleys. For a winter trip, Nyokum Yullo is celebrated at Itanagar in February.
FAQ
When is Solung?
Next: 1–3 September 2027. Solung is always celebrated from 1 to 3 September, and 1 September is on the Arunachal Pradesh holiday list.
What is Solung?
The main festival of the Adi people of the Siang valleys: a harvest festival after sowing and rice transplanting, with prayers for a good crop and protection from calamity, the miri's chants, the ponung dance and mithun sacrifice.
Where is Solung celebrated?
In Adi areas of the Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, including Pasighat in East Siang and Aalo (Along); Upper Siang holds a longer programme.
Do I need a permit to attend Solung?
Yes. Indian citizens from outside the state need an Inner Line Permit and foreign nationals a Protected Area Permit; both are applied for on eilp.arunachal.gov.in.
Sources (8)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.