During the Pongtu Festival of the Tutsa tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, prayers are offered to which deity for blessings before the millet harvest?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Rangkhothak
The Pongtu Festival, celebrated by the Tutsa tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, is a traditional agricultural festival observed before the millet harvest. During this festival, prayers and rituals are offered to Rangkhothak, the principal deity associated with prosperity, protection, and a successful harvest. The community performs dances, sacrifices, and communal feasts to seek blessings for good crops and harmony within the tribe.
Other Options Explained:
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Rangfraa: Associated mainly with the Tangsa tribe, not the Tutsa, and linked with spiritual well-being.
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Donyi Polo: Central to the faith of many tribes in Arunachal, symbolizing the Sun (Donyi) and Moon (Polo), but not specific to Pongtu.
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Rongwa: A spiritual figure in some communities but not linked to the Pongtu harvest rituals.