DREE (AGRICULTURAL FESTIVAL OF APATANIS)

MYTHOLOGICAL ASPECTS:
'Dree-Diime' means famine. No one wants famine. Neither did the ancestors of the Apatanis, Pyoddu Biini (Goddes of famine) was created before the existence of the universe. Ui Padda (a victimized God) was haunted by Pyoddu Biini (Goddess of famine) Ui Liiri (a Priest) performed the Dree Puja. Consequently, Ui Padda recovered from illness and stopped roaming for begging. Anne Donii and Abo-Liibo (Goddess and God) obtained paddy seeds from Murtu Yaring ( a Goddess) and these were sown in their cultivation field. The growth of the crop was good but no grain appeared in the crop as these were affected by harmful and destructive insects (Tachang-Teeyo and Tassu-Tammi),Nyibu  Kharii (a priest) performed the Dree puja and sacrificial offerings were made to Harniang Pubyang (Deity) who controlled Mother Earth and all vegetation life. Also Chandii-Metii and Tammu (all dieties) were appeased with offerings. After performing these pujas, they got bumper crops and lived happily. Abotani, the ancestral father of the Apatanis, performed the Dree puja at a placed called, Eipyo-Rego (a place) before reaching to Annii-Suppung (Present Apatani Plateau) so that he might not suffer from distress and famine. Thus the performance of the Dree puja descended from the time of the great ancestors of the Apatanis. Taku (Cucumber) was the first crop of the season to be used during the Dree Puja.

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Dree is the main agricultural festival of the Apatanis celebrated on 5th July since 1967 for three days after completion of plantation of paddy to propitiate spirits and deities seeking for bumper cropping, welfare and prosperity of the people and the animals. The rituals are performed with the help of priest. Folk-songs and dances are performed by both the sexes. Food and drinks are lavishly served. On the occasion community feast is offered to the guest and visitors.

This year on 5th July'2017, Apatanis people are celebrating 50 years of glorious Golden Jubilee Dree festival. The logo of the Golden Jubilee of Dree brings out the essence of the festival and its celebration for the 50th year in 2017. The Green wave underneath represents the Earth and the Blue arc above represents the Sky. They symbolize that Dree propitiates the Earth and the Sky for a life of abundance. Between the Earth and the Sky, life prospers. This is symbolized by the Dree logo within the red arc of energy and golden arms.

Ziro Putu Bird's Eye View

WHAT TO SEE IN AND AROUND ZIRO

Fortunately, Ziro is blessed with all the amenities such as pleasing weather, scenic beauty, historical and cultural factors, accessibility and accommodation to make it an evergreen tourist place.

TARIN FISH FARM:

High altitude fish breeding farm of Tarin, or Tarin Fish Farm is a beautiful place about 3.5 km away from Hapoli Town. One can see beautiful high altitude fish farm where breeding of high altitude fishes is done here and the fingerlings are sold during paddy cultivation season. It has been attracting tourists and research scholars’ very often.

TARIN FISH FARM

KILE PAKHO:

A ridge located at 7 km from Old Ziro. In a fine morning, one can have a clear bird’s eye views of  Ziro plateau on one side and snow range of Himalayas on the other.

KILE PAKHO (BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF ZIRO PLATEAU)

ZIRO PUTU:

Sometimes called ARMY PUTU is a hillock at Old Ziro where first administrative centre was set up after India’s Independence and ARMY cantonment was located in the sixties. From this hillock one can have a bird’s eye view of Apatani Plateau. The Airport is also located beneath this hillock in the midst of the scenic paddy field.

ZIRO PUTU BIRD'S EYE VIEW

ZIRO PUTU (VIEW FROM HARI VILLAGE)

DOLO MANDO:

A hillock of legendary Love affairs between DOLO & MANDO. It is located at 2 km from Hapoli towards Old Ziro on the Western side of ZIRO-DAPORIJO Road. One can trek to the top to see the Hapoli Town in one side and Old Ziro on other side.

DOLO MANDO VIEW FROM HAPOLI TOWNSHIP

DOLO MANDO VIEW FROM OLD ZIRO SIDE

PAAPII:

PAAPII FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER BEFORE INDEPENDENCE

First administrative center established before Independence in 1944-45 by a Foreigner Mr. F. Heimendrof famous anthropologist, author of “Himalaya Barbary”, “Apatani and their Neighbours” and “ A Himalayan Tribe: From cattle to cash”, as a Special Officer appointed by British Administration.

MANIIPOLYANG & DILOPOLYANG

Tourists would be fascinated to visits ‘Maniipolyang  & Dilopolyang’. It is a twin hillock on the way to Talley Valley after crossing Siiro Village. This scenic grassland beneath the natural forests catches the sight of the visitors. Further, the area is part of extension of Hapoli Township.

BAMBOO GROOVE:

Bamboo groove is cool and soothing place where one stems monopodium bamboo is grown with blue clad pine. It is one of the unique and expert practices of farm forestry followed in this part of the world. One will appreciate their expertise when one venture inside in this groove in conjunction with hiking and picnicking.

PINE GROVE:

Pine clad area about 3 km from Old Ziro has an eye catching scenic beauty. GREF(Border Road Organization) established in December 1961 is located around this scenic grandeur.  The huge and beautiful planted pine trees could be of an immense tourist attraction.

ZIRO (FAMOUS FOR PADDY-CUM-FISH CULTURE)

ZIRO:  One of the most beautiful hill stations of Arunachal Pradesh, located at about 1500 metres above the mean sea level in the midst of the pine clad mountains. Ziro is the Headquarter of Lower Subansiri District inhabited by friendly Apatani people. The Apatani plateau, Ziro is famous for practices of paddy-cum-fish culture where fishes are rear along with paddy cultivation. After transplanting of paddy from the nursery in wet rice cultivation field (W.R.C.), the fish fingerlings are put in MUGO (channels in paddy field for drainage of water) at knee-deep height that are kept for 2-3 months before harvesting of fish.

GYAKAR SINYI (Ganga Lake)

GYAKAR SINYI (Ganga Lake) : Confined water lake locally known as Gyakar Sinyi (also known as Ganga Lake ) is a natural lake enclosed by lush and gorgeous woods situated  in the lower hills of the Himalayas, Itanagar is a spectacular, scenic city that remains to be explored completely.