In which Indian state is the Hornbill Festival, a major celebration of tribal culture and music, held every year?

Introduction / Context:
The Hornbill Festival is a prominent cultural event in India that showcases the heritage of multiple tribes, especially from the northeastern region. It is frequently highlighted in tourism campaigns and general knowledge questions. This question asks you to identify the state where this festival is held annually, testing your awareness of regional cultural events.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The festival mentioned is the Hornbill Festival.- The options include several states from the northeastern and Himalayan regions.- We assume knowledge that the Hornbill Festival is strongly associated with a particular state capital as its main venue.

Concept / Approach:
The Hornbill Festival is held every year in the state of Nagaland, usually near the state capital Kohima. It is named after the hornbill bird, which holds cultural significance in the folklore of many Naga tribes. The festival brings together multiple tribes of Nagaland on a shared platform to present traditional dance, music, crafts and cuisine. While neighbouring states like Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Sikkim have their own cultural festivals, the Hornbill Festival is specifically linked with Nagaland.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that the Hornbill Festival is promoted as the festival of festivals of Nagaland.2. Identify its main venue at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.3. Compare options: Assam has Bihu festivals, Mizoram has Chapchar Kut, Manipur has Yaoshang, and Sikkim has festivals like Losoong, but these are not Hornbill Festival.4. Recognise the unique association of the hornbill bird with Naga tribal culture.5. Select Nagaland as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Tourism advertisements, government websites and travel articles clearly state that the Hornbill Festival takes place in Nagaland every year, typically in early December. They present it as a key attraction for visitors wanting to experience Naga tribal culture. Viewing any official or credible travel information quickly confirms that Nagaland is the state associated with this festival.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Mizoram: hosts important festivals like Chapchar Kut, but is not the venue for the Hornbill Festival.- Assam: known for Bihu celebrations, tea gardens and other cultural events, not for Hornbill Festival.- Sikkim: features festivals such as Losoong and Saga Dawa, which are different from Hornbill Festival.- Manipur: famous for its own unique traditions and festivals, but not for this particular event.

Common Pitfalls:
Because many northeastern states have rich tribal cultures, candidates may incorrectly associate the Hornbill Festival with any of them, especially Assam or Manipur. Another error is to focus only on the hornbill bird and guess a forested state without recalling the exact festival location. To avoid such mistakes, remember the phrase Hornbill Festival of Nagaland and connect it with the image of Kohima and Kisama Heritage Village. Such a mental picture helps anchor the fact for quick recall.

Final Answer:
The Hornbill Festival is held every year in the state of Nagaland.