Shillong, Nov 11: The annual 100 Drums Wangala Festival came to a close on Saturday.

Organized every year at Asananggre village, not far from Tura, the main town and headquarter of West Garo Hills district, the post-harvest festival saw huge turnout of people from various parts of Garo Hills including visitors who witnessed troupes dancing to the beat of the beat of the 100 Drums.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Zenith Sangma, was the chief guest on the final day of the event after Chief Minister Mukul Sangma was pre-occupied.

Zenith in his speech said that the youth of today should not forget ones own culture and tradition that ancestors have inherited upon.

He said that festivals like the 100 Drums Wangala would help in showcasing the rich culture and traditions to people outside the state and the world and urged everyone to join hands in preserving them together and make the festival grow bigger and more popular.

The Minister also handed over a cheque of twenty lakh rupees sanctioned by the state government for the festival to the 100 Drums Wangala Committee which was received by its chairman, L.R. Ch. Momin.

A number of dignitaries including the members of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council attended the event.