UDAIPUR, Jan 7 (TIWN): Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Wednesday inaugurated the Wangala Festival at Natin Tilla of Udaipur East Garji.

The programme was organized with the initiatives of the Tripura Garo Union and Information and Cultural Department.

Reportedly, the festival has been organized spending a total budget of Rs. 5.28 lakhs.

It is to be mentioned here that Wangala festival is the most significant post-harvest festival of the Garos.

In the two-day long Tourism Minister Ratan Bhowmik, Gomati DM Sonal Goyel, District Sabadhipati Suniti Saha, MLA Madhab Saha, TTAADC member Joy Bahadur Jamatia and other remained present.

According to myth, it is a thanks giving ceremony to the God “Misi Saljong”, also known as “Pattigipa Ra’rongipa” (the Great Giver) for having blessed the human beings with rich harvest of the season.

Offerings of rice beer are made to her and incense is burnt in her honour during the Rugala and the Sa’sat So’a ceremonies prior to the weeklong Wangala festival.

However, the first Hundred Drums Wangala Festival was organised on December 6 and 7 of 1976 at Asanang, the Headquarters of Rongram Development Block, 18 km from Tura in India.

It is to be mentioned here that the first Wangala in Bangladesh was celebrated in October 1978 at Biroi Dakuni Catholic Mission, Haluaghat, Mymensigh.

Wangala mainly celebrated at Dhaka Metropolitan city, Mymenshing District, Sylhet District and Pathorghata Catholic Church, Chittagong in Bangladesh.