HAFLONG | The Jatinga Festival 2026 is set to return on November 21 and 22 in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, featuring performances by Bollywood playback singers Kunal Ganjawala and Madhubanti Bagchi, along with several cultural attractions.

Organised by the Dima Hasao Tour and Travel Committee, the two-day event will feature musical performances, cultural programmes and entertainment activities aimed at attracting tourists to the hill district during the winter tourism season.

This year’s festival will be held at a new venue opposite its traditional location at Hayam. Organisers said the change was intended to give the event a fresh look and provide space for its expanded range of attractions. Music will remain one of the major highlights. Kunal Ganjawala is scheduled to perform on November 21, while Madhubanti Bagchi and other artistes will take the stage on November 22.

A major addition to this year’s celebrations is the introduction of ‘Wings of Jatinga’, a beauty pageant designed to provide young women from the region with a platform to showcase their talents and abilities. The initiative also aims to promote confidence and women’s empowerment.

The organisers have highlighted improved road connectivity as an important factor in attracting visitors. Travellers can reach Silchar from Guwahati by air in approximately 35 minutes, followed by a road journey of around one-and-a-half hours to the festival venue.

The Dima Hasao Autonomous Council is also planning additional bus services to facilitate the movement of tourists and festival-goers. The annual festival is expected to provide a boost to tourism in Dima Hasao by bringing visitors closer to the district’s scenic landscapes, cultural traditions and local hospitality.

With Bollywood performers, a new venue and additional attractions, the organisers are seeking to strengthen the Jatinga Festival’s position on Assam’s tourism calendar.