Dates: December 11–13, 2025
Venue: Shyntor Bulia Village, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya
Presented by: Rongjeng Welfare Foundation (RWF)
Supported by: District Administration, Ri-Bhoi & partners from across Northeast India
🌿 A Festival Born of the Hills and Rivers
In the heart of Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, where two serene rivers meet amidst rolling green hills, the small Khasi tribal village of Shyntor Bulia is set to host a unique three-day eco-tourism and cultural festival — the Shyntor Festival 2025.
Themed around “Where Two Rivers Meet — A Celebration of Music, Culture & Community,” the event will weave together indigenous traditions, live music, and sustainable tourism in a breathtaking rural landscape.
🎶 What Awaits Visitors
Visitors can expect a blend of music, art, food, and nature experiences over three vibrant days:
Music & Performance: Folk, fusion, and acoustic acts from Meghalaya and the Northeast; open-mic evenings and bonfire jams; guest performances by nationally known artists (subject to sponsorship).
Cultural Showcase: Traditional Khasi dance and song, bamboo and handloom craft exhibitions, village feasts, and storytelling sessions under the stars.
Eco-Adventure: Guided nature walks, bird sanctuary trails, angling, herbal foraging, and waterfall tours in nearby Pamrynai village.
Village Market: Local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will run stalls featuring indigenous crafts, handwoven fabrics, and local cuisine.
💡 Key Insights: A Model of Rural Sustainability
Unlike conventional festivals, Shyntor Festival is community-led and development-driven. The event has been designed not only as an attraction but as an economic and social transformation platform for the local Khasi population.
1. Economic Empowerment
Over 65 households from Shyntor Bulia and neighboring villages will directly earn from stalls, guiding, food services, and logistics.
An estimated ₹14.8 lakh budget will circulate within the community through paid volunteer work, SHG stalls, and local supply chains.
200+ temporary jobs will be created — from hospitality to event coordination and artisan sales.
2. Women’s Leadership & SHG Participation
Women-led SHGs will manage food stalls and souvenir shops, promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship.
Training sessions in hygiene, food safety, and tourism services are being conducted ahead of the event.
3. Youth Engagement & Skill Building
Local youth will serve as guides, volunteers, and performers — gaining experience in hospitality, event management, and tourism operations.
Partnerships with nearby colleges will allow student volunteers to participate in festival management.
4. Infrastructure Legacy
The festival will help fast-track critical village infrastructure such as:
Bridge repair/construction for safer access.
Road levelling on the 25 km approach route.
Solar-powered street lighting and improved public sanitation facilities.
The district administration has been requested to support these permanent upgrades, ensuring long-term tourism viability.
5. Environmental & Educational Impact
All waste will be managed through eco-friendly disposal systems and community clean-up drives.
Surplus funds from ticket sales will be reinvested in Green Leaves LP School, village beautification, and conservation projects.
🌍 A Vision Beyond the Festival
The Rongjeng Welfare Foundation, a registered non-profit under Section 8, aims to use Shyntor Festival as a blueprint for sustainable tourism in Meghalaya. With plans to make it an annual event, the initiative seeks to position Ri-Bhoi as a model district where eco-tourism and indigenous culture drive inclusive development.
As one organizer put it, “Every song performed at Shyntor will echo not just in the hills, but in the livelihoods it uplifts.”
🎫 Visitor Experience & Access
Package: 3-day, 2-night eco-camping experience (available via BookMyShow and travel agents).
Amenities: Tented lodging, local cuisine, portable washrooms, medical & safety teams.
Access: A 2-hour drive from Guwahati, with a final 1 km guided walk into the serene riverside village — ensuring minimal ecological disturbance.
🕊️ A Step Toward Self-Reliant Villages
The Shyntor Festival 2025 goes beyond being a cultural gathering; it is a rural renewal project — empowering local people through tourism, celebrating Khasi heritage, and building bridges (literally and figuratively) between communities and cultures.
For Further Information:
Email: rosanna@shillong.com
Phone: +91 9402548814
Website: www.shyntorfestival.shillong.com