Which festival is popularly known as the "Water Festival" in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam?

The correct answer is Poi Sangken . Key Points Poi Sangken is the traditional New Year festival of the Tai Khamti community, primarily celebrated in the Namsai and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam . Hence, the correct answer is Poi Sangken. The festival is popularly known as the Water Festival because the central ritual involves the ceremonial bathing of Lord Buddha idols with scented water, followed by people playfully splashing water on each other. This act symbolizes purity , cleansing of past sins, and the welcoming of a prosperous New Year . It is celebrated in the month of April , specifically during the Sangken period, which usually coincides with the Bohag Bihu of Assam and the Songkran festival of Thailand . Losar is the Tibetan New Year celebrated by the Monpa and Sherdukpen tribes in Arunachal Pradesh . It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new lunar year, but it is not a water festival. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect. Dree is an important agricultural festival celebrated by the Apatani tribe in July . It involves offering prayers to deities to protect crops from pests and ensure a bountiful harvest. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect. Mopin is a harvest festival celebrated by the Galo tribe in April . It is characterized by the smearing of rice powder ( Ette ) on faces and the performance of the Popir dance . Hence, statement 4 is incorrect. Additional Information Tai Khamti Tribe : They are a Theravada Buddhist community living in the Lohit and Namsai districts. They have their own script known as Lik-Tai and are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditional crafts. Buddha Snana Ritual : During Poi Sangken , the idols of Buddha are brought out of the Vihara (temple) and placed in a temporary structure called a Kyong-fra . Devotees pour water through a specially designed wooden boat-like structure called a Dhara to bathe the idols. Golden Pagoda (Kongmu Kham) : Located in Namsai , Arunachal Pradesh , this magnificent structure is a major center for Poi Sangken celebrations, attracting thousands of devotees and tourists annually. Significance of Water : In Buddhist traditions of Southeast Asia, water represents spiritual purification . Splashing water during the New Year is a way to wish others peace , happiness , and good health for the coming year. Cultural Ties : The festival highlights the deep cultural and religious links between the Tai ethnic groups of Northeast India and those in Myanmar , Thailand , and Laos , where similar water festivals like Thingyan and Songkran are celebrated. Important Points The festival lasts for three days . On the final day, the idols are ceremoniously returned to the main temple, and the New Year officially begins. The Tai Khamti people follow the Lunar Calendar , and the dates for Poi Sangken are determined based on traditional astrological calculations. Apart from the water rituals, the festival includes community feasts , traditional music , and dances , showcasing the vibrant social fabric of the Tai community. In Assam , the festival is celebrated with equal enthusiasm in Tai Khamti villages in districts like Tinsukia , further emphasizing the cross-border cultural identity of the tribe.