The 'Siang River Festival', which includes river rafting and cultural events, is celebrated in which state?

The Siang River Festival is an annual festival held in Arunachal Pradesh along the banks of the river Siang, the name by which the Brahmaputra is known when it enters India from Tibet. It is organised by the state government to promote tourism, adventure sports and the culture of the region. The festival is held at different places along the river, such as Pasighat, Yingkiong and Tuting, usually in winter.

The festival was earlier known as the Brahmaputra Darshan Festival, and it was renamed the Siang River Festival in 2005. It celebrates the river, which is the lifeline of the region, and the communal harmony and culture of the people living along its banks, especially the Adi tribe. The festival includes:

Adventure sports, such as river rafting, kayaking, paragliding and trekking.

Cultural programmes, with performances of the traditional dances and music of the Adi and other tribes, such as the Ponung dance.

Traditional games and sports, such as elephant races and boat races.

Food festivals with local dishes and rice beer (apong).

Exhibitions of handicrafts and handloom.

The river Siang rises as the Yarlung Tsangpo near Lake Mansarovar in Tibet. It flows east across Tibet and makes a great U-turn around the Namcha Barwa peak, forming the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, before entering India in Arunachal Pradesh near Gelling. In India, it is called the Siang (or Dihang). After it enters Assam near Pasighat and meets the Dibang and Lohit rivers, it is called the Brahmaputra. In Bangladesh, it is called the Jamuna.

Pasighat, founded in 1911, is the oldest town of Arunachal Pradesh and is known as the "gateway of Arunachal".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Sikkim is known for the Teesta river and festivals such as Losoong.
• ✗Meghalaya is known for festivals such as Wangala.
• ✗Mizoram is known for Chapchar Kut.