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As Rashtrapati Bhavan welcomes esteemed guests from across the country on 26 January 2026 to mark our 77th Republic Day, we invite you to experience the cultural and artistic heritage of Bharat. On the occasion of this At Home reception, we showcase our North Eastern region. The Ashtalakshmi states are a celebration of our cultural diversity and flourishing traditions.
This invitation has been conceived as a confluence of elements reflecting the distinctive traditions that shape daily life in each state of India's North Eastern region, the people's mastery of unique handicraft techniques, and the natural ecosystems that sustain their homes. It is designed to adorn your walls long after your participation in the celebrations of Republic Day 2026, as a beautiful depiction of the living heritage and artistic traditions of India's North Eastern region.
Bamboo has a special importance in the economy and tradition of India's North Eastern region, providing livelihoods through weaving, construction purposes, and traditional crafts. Its fast growth and versatility also make it vital for eco-friendly development.
The invitation box uses a woven bamboo mat, created on a loom with dyed cotton threads on the warp, and fine bamboo splits on the weft: a technique commonly used in the state of Tripura. The handmade paper tag that holds your address on the outer cover is accompanied by a bamboo artwork crafted with a specially smoked bamboo split that gives it a rich brown colour.
Constructed using an octagonal bamboo weave pattern, this bamboo mat scroll unfolds to reveal an artistically curated display of handcrafted creations from each state of India's North Eastern region. The structure of the scroll and tri-coloured threads also evoke the shape of the loin-loom, a portable weaving tool used particularly by women in the region, to create distinctive textiles.
Sikkim's distinctive Lepcha weaving or 'thara', traditionally uses yarn from the stinging nettle plant (sisnu). Nowadays, in modern Lepcha weaving, we also see the use of cotton and wool with nettle yarn to create colorful fabrics on loin-looms. According to Lepcha legend, the community was created from the pure snow of Mount Kangchendzonga. This design reflects this ancestral connec- tion to the mountains and honours 'Kangchendzonga National Park', India's first UNESCO 'Mixed Heritage Site'.
In the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, Mawsynram boasts of not only the highest rainfall on earth but also a sophisticated bamboo weaving community. The raw bamboo used in the region has naturally water-resistant fibres which retain a greenish hue, unusual for other bamboo species. This woven green bamboo coaster echoes the commonly used rain shield or 'knup', with two layers of finely split bamboo woven into the hexagonal open weave, with a layer of palm leaves sandwiched between them - creating lightweight and durable protection from downpours.
In the West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh, the Monpa people forage in the forests to gather the inner bark of the Shugu Sheng shrub. The bark is boiled, beaten into pulp, then diluted. This mixture is poured into frames and left to dry, forming sheets of paper. The resulting material has high tensile strength, making it resistant to tearing. Mon Shugu handmade paper is used for writing scriptures and also serves more utilitarian purposes. Here, this versatile paper has been shaped by hand into the distinctive silhouette of the Mithun, the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh.
Rongali Bihu, the Assamese New Year, is greeted with the melodious twang of the Gogona, accompanied by the 'dhol' and 'pepa', welcom- ing the joys of spring. Gogona, a jaw harp made of bamboo, is an iconic part of these celebrations. The instrument is subtly adapted depending on the user. The Ramdhan Gogona for men is shorter, broader and heavier; while the slimmer Lahori Gogona used by women is tucked into the tresses as a hairpin during dances. The children's Gogona, which you see on the scroll, is smaller and lighter, and is the easiest to play.
In Tripura, skilled tribal craftspersons create exquisite jewellery and decorative items from finely split strips of bamboo and cane. These natural materials are shaped and woven into intricate designs that are light and durable. While the designs are sophisticated, they are made with simple local tools and natural adhesives - demonstrating the imagination, dexterity, and skill of the craftspersons.
Adorned by the Khiamniungan Naga tribe of Nagaland, this textile carries with it a deeper story of renewal of lost traditions. This rare cloth is made from stem fibres of the wild orange rhea plant and Himalayan stinging nettle - known locally as 'Ehlon Niu'. Women gather the fibres from the wild, split them into fine strands, and spin them into yarn to weave this cloth. Born amid challenges, it has now become a sought-after fabric, symbolizing traditions and pride. The sample displayed on the scroll is decorated with beads made from grains of the Job's Tears (Adlay Millet) plant, traditionally used in this region for making jewellery.
The Puan Chei is a shawl or wrap-around skirt that is commonly worn in Mizoram. Puan simply refers to clothing worn or used by the Mizo people; the suffix or prefix attached to puan indicates its specific purpose. Chei means 'to decorate', and Puan Chei refers to the more ornate garments worn by women on important occasions like festivals and weddings. The fabric is woven from cotton on loin-looms, with threads carefully handpicked to create intricate geometric patterns.
This age-old pottery technique has been used by the Tangkhul Naga tribe of Manipur since the Neolithic period to make utensils. Black serpentine rocks sourced from the Longpi hills are ground and combined with local clay, making this pottery unique. The utensils are shaped entirely by hand and then bisque-fired and polished with leaves, giving them their natural glaze. The black pottery sample on the scroll depicts the Shirui Lily, the state flower of Manipur.
An Eri silk stole has been specially designed for this occasion. Eri silk, often called 'Peace Silk' or'Ahimsa Silk' is a vital part of the textile tradition and economy of north-east India. The motifs, hand woven into the fabric represent the state animals, birds and flowers of the eight states of the India's North Eastern region, showcasing the biodiversity of this region. The natural dyes are extracted from local plants, drawing from the traditional practices. The guests will be welcomed upon their arrival by traditional draping of the stole.
