Ziro Music Festival: Coachella of India

If going to Coachella has been in your bucket list for long but you are facing budget constraints then you must visit Ziro Music Festival. The vibe, the people, the food and the climate every thing exists in such mutualism that it gives the perfect experience of life. If you want an escape from your busy and monotonous schedule then you must take a trip to Ziro as it will not only rejuvenate you but also give you a larger than life experience. The camping, jamming session and random people that you meet there but become really close to you gives a solid Yeh Jawani hai Deewani vibe.

Where is Ziro and What is the Ziro Music Festival?

Ziro is located in the Lower Subansiri district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is a picturesque valley surrounded by pine-covered hills and is known for its natural beauty and the annual Ziro Music Festival. The Ziro Music Festival is an annual outdoor music festival held in the scenic Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Established in 2012, it has become one of India’s most popular and unique music festivals, attracting music enthusiasts from all over the country and beyond. The festival features a diverse lineup of artists, including both well-known and emerging talent, spanning various genres such as indie, rock, folk, and electronic music.

 The Ziro Music Festival is typically held in late September. In 2024, it will be held from 26 September,2024-29th September,2024.

How can I get to Ziro?

The best part of getting to Ziro is to get to Ziro. The entire Ziro valley is like a painting, lush green forests, serene mountains, waterfalls, everything was just incredibly beautiful. But getting to Ziro can be really tough as the connectivity of certain places is really poor. You can follow these routes to come to Ziro as per your convenience:

1. By road:

Board a flight/train to Guwahati. From there you get Government buses to Itanagar which is around 7-8 hrs from Guwahati and it costs you around Rs 400/- to 650/-. From Itanagar, Ziro is around 4-5 hrs away and you can reach there by shared taxis that are easily available in Itanagar. However, you can prioritize luxury by boarding private taxis and cabs anytime.

• By air-

Take a flight to Lilabari (North Lakhimpur) which is around 3 hrs from Ziro. After reaching North Lakimpur you get taxis at around Rs 2000- Rs 2500/- .If you choose to fly to Hollongi Airport(Donyi Polo Airport), you will need to hire a private cab to travel 32 kms to get to Itanagar. From Itanangar you can board buses run by the Arunachal Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation to Ziro valley.

• By Train-

The closest railhead is located at Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh which is around 100km from Ziro and it takes around 4 hrs to reach Ziro. At Naharlagun you get taxis that take you to Ziro and costs you around Rs 1800/- to Rs 2000/-

My Experience

During my college I really wanted to go out for cool shows and concerts but the academic pressure was real and the escape never came. But during one vacation I got determined to experience something cool and not very mainstream. It was then that I discovered about Ziro Music Festival and I couldn’t resist myself from booking my trip to the Ziro Music Festival. In no time it was September and finally my time to experience the madness of Ziro. I board a train from Guwahati to Naharlagun and the route to Naharlagun was nothing more than a dream. The drizzling rain on the tea garden looked ecstasy. Upon reaching Naharlagun, I checked-in a hotel, it was a normal hotel with basic facilities which I found online and I costed me around Rs 1000/-. Took my time to relax after a long train journey and then finally I geared up with all that enthusiasm to finally kick-start my Ziro journey.

I asked my hotel manager to help me find a taxi to Ziro. There are plenty of shared and private taxis available from Naharlagun to Ziro. The way to Ziro was incredibly beautiful, the mountains, the lush greenery and not to forget the people who made the journey really wholesome. It took me 5 hours to reach Ziro. After reaching Ziro I went to the camp site where I met my trip leader assigned by our  travel agency. I established my camp, added fairy light for the décor and my camp for the next 4 days was ready. There were two bathrooms made one for the ladies and others for the gents. The water pipeline was laid by bamboos which were really functionable and a very sustainable idea with least waste generation. The artist line up in Ziro music festival is very different from those music festivals that you attend in your colleges or towns. There we saw not just indie artists but also Punjabi artists like Baba Sehgal, Qawwali artists like Rehmat-E-Nusrat, Rajasthani folk music by Jumme Khan and not to forget the indigenous and local bands of North East India who lit the stage with their amazing vocals and instruments. On the scale of 1 to 100 my experience of music in Ziro Music festival was way beyond words as I not only listened to a lot of them for the first time but toom them back with me in my hearts forever. And if you are someone who truly loves music and enjoy its different forms, then you must for once visit Ziro Music Festival. Its divine energy is surely going to fill your heart and soul.

 What makes Ziro Music festival a different one from the others is the day and night stage. While other music festival have stage performances at night, In ZMF, you can enjoy artists performing during the day amidst the backdrop of stunning sunsets, verdant mountains, and breezy air. It was indeed an enriching experience for me. When I now look back to those four days with different people around India living together at the same campsite, random jamming session and those anticipated moments, it feels nothing more than the dream. While I have spoken enough about the vibe of Ziro what actually makes Ziro Music Festival is the Apatanis, the Apatani tribe of the Ziro Valley. The people there are very caring and hospitable. They make the Ziro Valley more beautiful by there presence. The trip agency booked a one-day visit with the Apatanis, where we observed their day-to-day practices, learned about their history, and got to know their society. They also organised a Fishing day where we went to the rice fields of the Ziro valley and fished with our bare hands, that feeling was really special where we celebrated each other’s victory and I realised that to be happy you don’t have to do something extravagant, these little moments of joy add the real essence to life.

While I took a lot from Ziro, these are some highlights of my Ziro trip and what made the trip so special to me:

1. The Ziro Valley: Exploring the serene landscapes of Ziro Valley, surrounded by lush greenery and rice fields, was a truly tranquil experience.
2. Ziro Music Festival: Attending the vibrant Ziro Music Festival, where I enjoyed performances by both local and international artists in a stunning natural setting.
3.  Local Cuisine: Tasting the delicious local Apatani cuisine, including dishes like bamboo shoot soup and smoked pork.
4. Camping Experience: Staying at the campsite with strangers and bonding with them over music and food made the festival really special to me.
5. Cultural Immersion: Visiting traditional Apatani villages and learning about their unique customs, including their sustainable farming practices and intricate handloom weaving.
6. Warm Hospitality: Experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the Apatani people, who welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home.
7. Food and Local Stalls: Exploring the vibrant food stalls and local vendors at Ziro Music Festival, where I savored diverse cuisines and experienced the lively atmosphere of cultural exchange.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, my journey to Ziro was more than just a visit; it was a profound exploration of culture, music, and natural beauty. From the enchanting Ziro Music Festival to the warm hospitality of the Apatani people, every moment resonated with authenticity and wonder. The serene Ziro Valley, with its picturesque landscapes and traditional villages, provided a backdrop that enriched my understanding of local traditions and ways of life. This trip has left an indelible mark on me, reminding me of the power of immersive travel experiences and the beauty of discovering new cultures. Ziro will always hold a special place in my heart as a destination that captivated my senses and enriched my soul.