Itanagar: The Indian Army will lead an expedition to Topo Gone, a sacred peak revered by the Galo community in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi Yomi district, later this month, marking a joint initiative to promote cultural preservation and safe access to the pilgrimage site.
Scheduled from January 19 to 24, the expedition will involve a 24-member team, including four women, and is being organised in collaboration with the Galo Welfare Society.
Topo Gone, rising to about 2,900 metres along the McMahon Line, holds deep religious and cultural significance for the Galo people and features prominently in their folklore and oral traditions.
Army officials said the expedition represents a significant partnership aimed at safeguarding indigenous heritage while ensuring that the pilgrimage is conducted with proper safety measures, dignity and logistical planning.
The initiative is also intended to reconnect the community with a spiritual landmark that has remained difficult to access due to its remote terrain.
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During preparatory discussions, Moi Bagra, chairman of the Research and Documentation Wing of the Galo Welfare Society, briefed Army officials on the historical and cultural importance of Topo Gone, describing it as an ancestral landmark symbolising the resilience and identity of the Galo community.
Galo priest Mogi Ori underlined the religious relevance of the expedition, noting that the journey would help restore links to a sacred spiritual axis long separated by geographical challenges.
The meetings also touched upon the possibility of opening the area for regulated civilian access, development of tourism-related infrastructure, and the broader objectives of strengthening national security and territorial sovereignty in the border region.
The expedition is set to be flagged off from the Aalo Brigade headquarters in West Siang district on January 19.
