Ziro – It comes every year to spell-bind the country’s music lovers. Numerous stages, all thumping with the beats—of those on stage, and of those hearts in front of it. No, I’m not talking about sunburn. It’s much less and still much more. It’s the ziro music festival held at the ziro valley in Arunachal Pradesh. Oh my gawd, yes! Now you know there’s more than just Sunburn out there. Thank me later.

First commenced in 2012 by Bobby Hano and Menwhopause guitarist Anup kutty, the festival is a pageantry featuring indie music from all-over India. Thousands of people gather in this place, 4 km from hapoli. No, the journey to this remote place is not easy but all I can say is it’s worth it. The place rages on with music for 3-4 days driven by the spirit of music lovers, the Apatani tribesmen and the sheer mirth of rice beer.

Apatani, the indigenous population of this region, known for their friendly, music loving selves perform various elaborate rituals and animal sacrifices starting from many days prior to Ziro music festival as an appeasement to the weather gods. The tribe is also known for it’s traditional tattooing. You might as well get inked as a souvenir. Apart from the festival this place has much to offer you, the plethora of scenic beauty being the major one. Misty mountains that surround Ziro will take your breath away.

And still the question remains—when? This year ZFM is to be held starting from 28th September and 1st October being the finale. You could either book hotels at the town of ziro, or if that isn’t enough for your juiced up soul , there is a festival campsite for visitors. The nearest airport is at Tezpur, Assam, but the one in Guwahati is better connected to major Indian cities. The closest railway station is Naharlagun (100km/4hr). My advice? Don’t miss out!

Getting To Ziro

Getting to Ziro isnot so hard as you may think.

Before getting to know the performing artists (well, I know you’re very curious about it) , wait ! You’ll be required to get your Inner Line Permit for Arunachal Pradesh. Foreigners need a Protect Area Permit .Thanks to digital India- Gone are those days when eILP was a nightmare. You can apply ILP here.