U Blei A.chik — Garo supreme

U Blei A.chik — Garo supreme

Tradition

Songsarek / Garo

The Place

• Location: Tura, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya (25.5145°N, 90.203°E)

Sacred Narrative

The Garo (~1 million) of the Garo Hills, Meghalaya — traditionally follow Songsarek (the indigenous faith). The supreme deity is U Blei (also recognized by Khasi); priests are called Kamal. Most Garo today are Christian (Baptist), but Songsarek survives in oral tradition. Wangala (November) — the 100-drum post-harvest festival — is celebrated by all Garos regardless of religion, and is an intangible cultural heritage site.

Why This Entry Matters

India's sacred landscape embraces all faith-traditions — Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, Zoroastrian, tribal, regional-folk — each with its own cosmology. This entry honors Songsarek on its own terms.