Wangala: the Garo harvest festival

Wangala is the harvest festival of the Garo (Mandi) people. After the rice is in, communities thank Misi Saljong, the sun and grain deity, with offerings of the new harvest, prayers and long afternoons of dama drums and dancing. In India’s Meghalaya it is famous as the Hundred Drums Festival; in Bangladesh the celebrations are smaller and village-based, which makes them all the more welcoming.

Updated 21 October 2026. Dates for 2026 will be set by each community over the coming weeks.

When and where

There is no single national date: each Garo community holds its own one- or two-day Wangala between late October and early December.

Birishiri, near the Bijoypur china clay hills, is a good base for the Garo villages of Netrokona.

What happens

• A prayer and water blessing by the khamal, the priest, and the offering of new rice and crops. Many Garo are Christian, so a church service often opens the day.
• Dances to dama drums and Wangala songs, often with visiting troupes, and a fair.
• Visits between homes, where guests may be offered food and rice beer.

Getting there

From Dhaka, Madhupur is about three to four hours by road, Haluaghat four to five via Mymensingh, and Birishiri five to six via Netrokona. No permit is needed, but carry your passport near the Indian border.

Tips for visiting

• Confirm the date with the local Garo organisation or church a few weeks ahead.
• Ask before photographing rituals and elders.
• Accept food or rice beer politely; declining is fine too.
• Stay for the afternoon, when the dancing is at its best.

Visiting with us

We can build a few days around Wangala with stays near the Garo villages and a guide who knows the community. Plan your trip.

Wangala FAQs