| Tura | |||
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| Country | India | ||
| State | Meghalaya | ||
| District(s) | West Garo Hills | ||
| Population | 58,391 (2001[update]) | ||
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) | ||
| Area |
• 349 metres (1,145 ft) |
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Tura is a city and a municipality in West Garo Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. One of the largest towns in Meghalaya, Tura is a valley located at the foothills of the Tura Hills and right below the Tura Peak. The climate in Tura is moderate throughout the year and has a large number of interesting and unexplored areas. The native god Durama was believed to reside in the hills. The name Tura is said to be a corruption (by the British) of the god's name.
It is part of the Siwalik Hills ranges. It is 220 kilometres from the nearest city Guwahati and is also the district capital of the West Garo Hills district. It is filled with small rivulets and green valleys all around. The principal languages are Garo,Hajong, Koch language/Koch, Bengali, Hindi and English. The city has 4 colleges and a host of good secondary schools. In 1973, the town was made the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tura.
The capital city of Shillong is 323 kilometres away and can be accessed via buses or the shuttle helicopter service. The border of Bangladesh Dalu,is situated at a proximity of 50 kilometres.
Tura is a cultural and administrative centre of the Garo tribes. To visit popular tourist destinations such as Balpakram, Nokrek and Siju cave, one needs to pass through this town.
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Tura is located at .[1] It has an average elevation of 349 metres (1145 feet).
As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Tura had a population of 58,391. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Tura has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 70%. In Tura, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Tura is situated in the western part of meghalaya which is quite close to the National Border of Bangladesh. Main mode of transport is by road, there are no railways or any domestic working airport. From Guwahati, it is 221 km, through the National Highway 40. Day time Sumo and overnight bus services are available form Guwahati. There is a 3-days-a-week helicopter service available from Guwahati and Shillong, run by Pawan Hans.
Most residents of Tura are part of the Garo tribe. Next comes the Bengalis, Nepalis, Hajongs, Koches and other ethnicities. Christianity is the main religion, more than 90% of the Garos are Baptist. The Garos have a matrilineal and matrilocal society.
Schools
1. Tura Public School
2. Sherwood School
3. Aeroville High School
4. De Novo School
5. Don Bosco Secondary School
6. St.Mary Higher Secondary School
7. St. Xavier's Secondary School
8. Christian Girls' Higher Secondary School
9. Christian Boys' Secondary School
10. Government Boys Higher Secondary School
11. Government Girls' Higher Secondary School
12. Mothers' Union Secondary School
13. Little Flower Secondary School
14. Hawakhana Deficit Higher Secondary School
15. Goudiya Math Vidyapeet
16. Kendriya Vidyalaya
17. Mt. Sinai Secondary School
18.Tura Town Higher Secondary School, etc.
Colleges
1. Don Bosco College
2. Tura Govt. College
3. Durama College
4. Tura Polytechnic
5. Tura College of Information Technology.
6.Tura ICFAI College
7. College of Teacher Education
8. College of Home Science (under Central Agricultural University, Imphal)
Central Institutes
1. Regional Vocational Training Institute
2. North Eastern Hill University, Tura Campus
There are many varieties of food available, the common one is the traditional Garo food. Traditional Garo food includes boiled rice, different preparations of Pork, beef, chicken and dry fish. Some of the delicacies of Garo Food are Nakam Bitchi (it is dry fish made with chillies and soda), Wak Pura (it is Pork cooked with crushed rice).
1. Wangala : It is a traditional Garo dance; celebrated after harvesting. Wangala is best showcased at the 100 Drums festival which takes place annually, 30 km away from Tura in a place called, Asanang. The men and women are dressed in traditional attire and they dance to beat of the 100 drums.
2. Christmas : It is celebrated in a grand and extravagant way. The party spirit pervades throughout starts from Christmas and continues even after the New Year celebration. So, the entire celebration last for more than a week. The occasion is filled with carol songs, dinner parties, social gatherings and many more events. In short, a week long of Merry making.
3. Durga Puja : It is celebrated in the months of October and is celebrated in a grand fashion with 'pandals', 'dhak dhol' and the smell of 'dhoop' all over town. The number of idols The 'Bishorjon' is a colourful parade of trucks carrying the idols of the various pandals away at the end of the festivities.
Other annual celebrations like Chat Puja, Holi and Diwali are also conducted every year with the same enthusiasm and love.
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