Reasons You Should Visit Ziro Music Festival in September 2024

Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh is an incredible place to visit, especially during the Ziro Music Festival in September. This enchanting destination is known for its lush pine and bamboo groves, terraced rice fields, and the indigenous Apatani tribe. 

The weather is pleasant year-round, but the Ziro Music Festival from September 26th to 29th, 2024, offers a unique experience. Celebrated in Ziro Valley, it’s one of the coolest musical extravaganzas in India, showcasing aspiring and independent music artists. Discover the lush landscapes, Apatani culture, and an unforgettable musical journey at the Ziro Music Festival in September.

Significance of Ziro Music Festival

Every year, music enthusiasts, musicians, tourists and travellers from all over the world gather at the Ziro festival of Arunachal Pradesh and be part of the musical extravaganza. It is an annual mega event that celebrates music and musicians.

The festival started as a modest initiative by two Indian musicians, Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty in 2012 to promote the regional musicians and encourage them to pursue their passion. Today, it has become one of the most loved musical festivals and many international bands and musicians come here to perform. 

At the Ziro Valley festival, you can expect to enjoy different genres of music including grunge, pop, hip hop, fusion, pop-funk, and more. Besides, you get a chance to explore the stunning Ziro valley, experience the local culture and indulge in the delicious food. 

A Festival Of Sustainability

The Ziro Festival is a trailblazer in sustainability, using locally sourced bamboo and wood for its infrastructure, handcrafted by Apatani artisans over 40 days. 

It enforces a zero-plastic policy and composting to reduce waste, and uses biodegradable Tamul plates and leaves instead of plastic cutlery. Signages are made from reclaimed wood with eco-friendly paint. 

Free water stations encourage reusable bottles, and drinks are served in bamboo mugs. The festival, held on community land, ensures the area remains pristine, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and local culture.

Reasons you should visit Ziro music festival in September 2024 

The Ziro Festival 2024 is approaching, scheduled to be celebrated from September 26 to 29. If you've been keen to visit this festival, here are some compelling reasons to make your plans right away.

Reason #1 – Spend time in the lap of nature and rejuvenate

The Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most picturesque and pristine places you can image. The stunning natural beauty and the scenic locations around are surreal. The immaculate mountains, the clean and fresh air, and the cool breeze allows you spend time in the lap of nature and rejuvenate. 

Visiting the Ziro festival is a great way to get away from the city conundrum, and enjoy a living in a peaceful environment listening to soulful music and having good food.

Reason #2 – Groove to amazing music

Get ready to groove at the Ziro Music Festival 2024. Here’s a sneak peek at the amazing line-up spread across three stages:

Danyi (Sun) Stage: Kick back with some classical vibes from the legendary Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt on the Mohan Veena and Jal Tarang wizard Shashikala Dani. Enjoy soulful tunes from vocalists Mohit Chauhan and Chorun Mugli. Plus, international acts like Ary Juliyant from Indonesia, South Africa’s Guy Buttery, and the folk duo Puuluup from Estonia will be lighting up the stage.

Pwlo (Moon) Stage: Rock out with Farhan Akhtar’s band Farhan Echoes and local hero Taba Chake. Get hyped with MC Altaf’s beats and rock out with Lee Ranaldo. Don’t miss Lithuanian favorites Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio Dantys, Aussie rockers Mannequin Death Squad, Swedish ensemble The Boo Boo Bama Orchestra, India’s Komorebi, and Delhi’s underground star Chaar Diwaari.

Takvr Stage: Dance the night away with the electronic beats of Kiss Nuka, DJ Ina, Deep Brown, Smokey Sound, and Unnayanaa. International electronic stars Angata from Israel, Sebastian Fuchs from Germany, and Lithuania’s Leon Somov will keep the party going

Reason #3 – No crazy crowd

Unlike the usual musical festivals or concerts where you see hundreds of people gathering at one place in a closed area, the Ziro music festival is very different. Here you can be sure to not be stuck or feel overwhelmed by the crowd. 

At this festival, the musicians perform out in the open land, and you can enjoy listening to your favourite genre of music or watch your favourite musician perform while enjoying the view of the mountains and the paddy fields around. 

Also, there is no constant feeling of being pushed around or someone trying to intrude your space. Nowhere you can you get music, and nature at once. 

Reason #4 – Experience the warm hospitality of the local communities

The people of the north eastern states have a reputation for being one of the most friendly and warm people in the country. And, you will experience this first hand on your visit to Arunachal Pradesh during the Ziro Festival 2024. 

The Ziro Festival is organised by the locals and it is a community event. Although many people from different walks of life come to the valley during the festival, the local communities welcome the people with same warmth, and encourage them to know more about their culture and traditions. 

The festival is a testimony to the fact that music can connect and unite people of different demographics with different social and economic backgrounds. 

Reason #5 – Get a chance to interact with the tribals

Another reason why Ziro festival in September is the best time to Arunachal Pradesh is that during the festival, you can have a chance to interact with the local tribal communities like the Apatani tribe and know about their lifestyle, and cultural heritage. 

Like other tribal communities in India, the Apatani tribe has its own unique way of life. They can be easily identified by their peculiar looks, accentuated by the facial tattoos and nose piercings. Both men and women have a special tattoo on their face, symbolising their culture and way of life. 

These tribal people are very friendly and they are an integral part of the festival. As you enjoy the music, you can interact with them, get to know about their culture, food, festivals and more. Don’t be surprised if you get an invitation from them to visit their home for a meal. It is the best way to get to know about the local culture and feel their pulse. 

Reason #6 – Relish the authentic Arunachal’s cuisine

During the Ziro music festival, you can feel the celebration vibe not just in the region surrounding the valley but throughout the state. Apart from the music, the festival is also known to be a mecca for all the food lovers.

Many food connoisseurs consider the festival to be a gateway to enjoy the most authentic, local dishes. You can find many locals setting up stalls near the festival and you can enjoy having a variety of dishes to suit your palate. There are plenty of options for both meat lovers and vegetarians. 

Some of the best dishes you must try are the pork and chicken preparations with rice. Of course, while in the north east, you cannot miss having some yummy dim sums. For vegetarians, you must try the local vegetable soups, which are made from the locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Another must-try food in the region is the locally made butter and home-brewed beers. 

These beers are made from fruits like kiwi, plum and pineapple. Apart from the unique flavours of the beer, the way they are served also reflects the local customs as they are served in bamboo jugs. 

Reason #7 – Go on an unforgettable road trip

Whether you like music or not, the time to visit Ziro is September to October. During this time of the year, the weather is amazing across Arunachal Pradesh. The entire state is filled with greenery and many other astounding natural wonders that you can discover through a road trip from Itanagar to Ziro valley. The drive is sure to be the best one you have ever in your life, we bet.  

As the rains washes away the entire state, it leaves the mountains decorated with some of the most stunning waterfalls you may have seen anywhere in the country. Besides, the road leading to the valley runs through the hills with sharp turns and twists, which make the ride more fun and fuller of adventure. 

As you ride towards your destination, you can take a few stops along the way and click some stunning pictures with beautiful sceneries in the backdrop. 

Reason #8 – Explore the nearby places

Going to the Ziro valley festival in September 2023 could be the perfect way to explore the stunning Arunachal Pradesh and visit the plethora of tourist attractions. While you may revel in soothing music all day, you can take your time venture around the valley. Here are some of the awesome places that you would enjoy visiting. 

• Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Spread over 337 square kilometres, this stunning sanctuary is home of some of the most exotic flora and fauna and the rare indigenous species that you won’t find anywhere else. Established in 1995, the sanctuary is a biodiversity zone. You can explore the sanctuary by going on a safari and get a chance to spot Asian palm civet, clouded leopards, giant squirrels and many more. 

• Pine Grove

Located just about 3 kms from Old Ziro, Pine Grove is a wonderful spot to escape to for a peaceful evening with your friends and family. It is one of the most popular picnic spots in the region and a perfect place to get your dose of peace and solace amidst nature. 

As the name suggests, this scenic location is replete with towering pine trees, which act as a perfect natural filter for some stunning pictures. You can enjoy walking around the grove and feel close to mother nature. 

• Dolo Mando

When you are visiting Ziro music festival, make sure that you visit Dolo Mando. Located on the western side of Ziro valley, it is a hillock that allows you to spend time by yourself in the serene setting. Here you can also go on a trek and enjoy the picturesque view of the Hapoli Town from above. The lush green valley and the pleasing landscape is sure to leave a forever impression on your mind. 

 Important things to remember while going to Ziro valley festival

• If you are an aspiring musician or you always wanted to perform live for a crowd, you can send your profile to the authorities, and they will arrange a slot for you to perform during the festival.  

• While you enjoy the music, be sure to try out some of the local cuisine at the food stalls set up near the venue. 

• Make sure that you don’t litter around the venue and keep the surrounding clean.  

• There is no ATM facility available near the festival venue so make sure to keep enough cash with you. It will come handy if you want to buy anything. 

• Always carry an umbrella and appropriate rain gear. You might experience occasional rain during September.  

• Book your tickets in advance to the festival and also get your travel and stay booking done early to avoid last minute hassles. 

So, there you have a complete guide on Ziro and the music festival. Grab your tickets and get set going to a place where you can get the best of nature and music!

How to Reach Ziro for the Ziro Music Festival 2024

Getting to Ziro for the festival is an adventure in itself. Here’s a quick guide to help you plan your trip:

By Air: 

The nearest airports to Ziro are:

• Guwahati Airport (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport) is the most reliable option. From Guwahati, you can travel to Ziro by train, bus, or taxi.
• Lilabari Airport in North Lakhimpur, Assam, is the closest but has limited flights. From here, you can take a taxi or bus to Ziro.
• Tezpur Airport is another nearby option, though flights can be infrequent. 

By Train:

• Naharlagun Railway Station is the nearest major railway station, approximately 100 km from Ziro. You can catch an overnight train from Guwahati to Naharlagun. From Naharlagun, hire a taxi or take a bus to Ziro.

 By Road:

• From Guwahati: The drive to Ziro takes around 7-8 hours. You can rent a car or take a shared taxi. The route via NH27 and NH15 is scenic and offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
• From Itanagar: Ziro is around 110 km from Itanagar, and the drive takes about 3-4 hours. Shared taxis and buses are available.

Itinerary for First Timers at Ziro Music Festival 2024

Day 1: September 25, 2024 – Arrival

- Morning: Arrive at Ziro

- Afternoon: Check-in at your accommodation.

- Evening: Explore Ziro Valley, visit local markets, and relax.

Day 2: September 26, 2024 – Festival Day 1

- Morning: Breakfast and head to the festival venue.

- Afternoon: Enjoy performances on the Danyi (Sun) Stage and explore workshops.

- Evening: Savor local food and watch performances on the Pwlo (Moon) Stage.

Day 3: September 27, 2024 – Festival Day 2

- Morning: Breakfast and a short hike to Pine Grove or Dolo Mando.

- Afternoon: Return to the festival for Takvr Stage electronic sessions.

- Evening: Interact with the Apatani tribe and enjoy their cultural performances.

Day 4: September 28, 2024 – Festival Day 3

- Morning: Traditional breakfast and visit Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

- Afternoon: Attend workshops and more musical performances.

- Evening: Watch headlining acts on the Pwlo (Moon) Stage.

Day 5: September 29, 2024 – Festival Day 4

- Morning: Breakfast.

- Afternoon: Enjoy the final day of the festival.

- Evening: Enjoy the final day of the Ziro Music Festival 2024

Day 6: (optional) September 30, 2024 – Travel Home or Explore around Ziro

So, there you have a complete guide on Ziro and the music festival. Grab your tickets and get set going to a place where you can get the best of nature and music!

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