Choekhor Festival is mainly observed among the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh for the betterment of the economic basis in future. This festival is organized by the in the villages with an aim to save the crops from the evil spirits.
After the crops are sown and at the time of little agricultural activity, in the seventh month of lunar calendar, "Choekor Festival" is organized in the villages by the entire village community with the aim of offering supernatural protection to the crops sown, for good harvest and to drive away evil spirits.
Capacious holy books such as "Ka-gyur", "Bum", "Gye-tong", "Nyi-thri", etc. are read in the village temple by engaging village priests or monks from the monastery. On the last day of the Choekhor Festival, a procession is taken out round the agricultural fields and the village carrying images of Lord Buddha and other Buddhist lords, and holy books on their backs. The procession is headed by two Kong-Yoks and behind them follows some people dressed as `Arp` (Army), `Mem-dhakpa` (Gunman), `Kyenpa` (Clown), `Azara` (Indian ascetics).
In the next phase of the Choekhor Festival come one or two persons carrying religious flags followed by the Buddhist monks or village priest, and then by men and women carrying images and holy books. The participants halt now and then where the monks recite a blessing for the benefit of the newly planted crops in the sown area. The participants in the procession are offered tea, Chang, popcorn, etc by the villagers on their way. With the completion of encirclement round the rural community and fields they return to the temple. Thereafter, the rest of the evening is spent on drinking tea, Chang, goods foods, singing and dancing. This festival marks in the villages of Arunachal Pradesh as the emblem of the arts and culture of the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh.
