Reasons You Should Visit Ziro Music Festival in September 2023

Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh is an incredible place to visit. And the best time to visit Ziro is during the Ziro Music Festival. This enchanting destination is particularly famous for its lush pine and bamboo groves, terraced rice fields, and the indigenous Apatani tribe, whose way of life is quite fascinating.

The weather in Ziro is pleasant throughout the year but visiting during the Ziro Festival of Music (usually in September) could be an amazing experience. The Ziro Festival, which is hailed as one of the coolest musical extravaganzas in the country, is celebrated in Ziro Valley. The festival provides the best platform for all the aspiring and independent music artists in the country to showcase their talent and perform in front on an audience.

This blog will give you more insights into the festival and the beautiful town in Arunachal Pradesh. 

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. 

Reasons you should visit Ziro music festival in September 2023 

The Ziro festival 2023 is around the corner and it will be celebrated between September 28 and October 1. So, if have been keen to visit this festival this year, here are some of the reasons you must get going 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 – 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 #3 – 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 2023. 

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 #4 – 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 #5 – 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 #6 – 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 #7 – 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!