Showing posts with label Best of India. Show all posts
Meghalay: Land of clouds!
Meghalay, as the name suggests, is the land of clouds. The state is the home for highest rainfall belt comprising Chirapunji. The state shares its borders with Assam and Bangladesh. Shillong is the capital city. It is a state that is adorned by green hills all over and is thus, districts of the state are divided on the basis of hill regions. So, you see Khasi Hills district, Jaintia Hills district etc.
The state
is a rich source of coal, limestone, dolomite and quartz. Timber,
bamboo, reed, cane, lemon-grass, thatch grass and medicinal herbs are
grown all across. The state experiences highest rainfall in the
country.
Khasi
culture is one of the indigenous cultures of the region. The
community follows matrilineal kinship tradition. Khasi
is one of the spoken languages of Meghalaya.
Let
us explore tourist destination in Meghalaya. Destinations are divided
according to the hill districts in which they are situated. Exotic
landscape, waterfalls and caves are the main attractions in the
state. You would be interested to visit deep rock caves wading
through waterways! Meghalaya houses such ones.
Khasi Hills Region:
Khasi Hills region
Image courtesy:
Shillong is the most popular city
located in the Khasi Region. The capital city is the gateway to enter
Meghalaya. You can visit the city all through the year. It is a well
connected to Assam. Shillong is a hill resort comprising waterfalls,
green valleys, river brooks and gardens. The city entertains wide
range of guests. It would be an ideal place to hold business
conferences.
This
region is the home for heavy rainfall areas including Cherrapunji.
Smit, Mawaphlang, Sohra (Cherrapunjee),
Laitkynsew, Mawsynram, Nongkhum Island, Ranikor river valley and
Mawlynnong Villages to experience exotic landscape.
Jaintia Hills Region:
This
is located towards the border of Bangladesh. Dawki, is the gateway to
enter Bangladesh. It is a border city where lots of border crossing
activities go on. It is a route for international trade between India
and Bangladesh. The Umngot River is the natural boundary between the
two countries.
Tyrshi
Falls, Lalong Park, Krang Suri Falls, Umlawan Cave (this is
considered to be the deepest and the longest cave in the
sub-continent), Thadlaskein lake -these are some important sites to
visit.
.jpg) |
| Thlumuwi Waterfalls (image credit: |
Get in:
There is a small airport in Shillong about 35 km from the city. It is called Umroi Airport. Flights to Kolkata are available. Best way is to reach via Guwahati, which is just 2-3 hours journey by road. Helicopter service is available from Guwahati to Tura and Tura to shilling.What to buy:
You would get bamboo artifacts. Buy Naga and Manipuri shawls that you get in Meghalaya. You would get Manipuri wrap-around skirts and lungis too. Khasi Scrub, a natural handmade scrub you would get on the streets.Tag :
Best of India,
Mizoram
Mizoram
is one of the less travelled states in North Eastern region. It could
be termed as a state of hills; cities are built up on the hill slops
in almost all districts of the state. The state is best known for
close-knit community sense. The Mizo people are less conscious about
class distinctions, it is said.
Mizoram
is located on the southern tip of North East India hosting indigenous
ethnic communities. However, culture of Mizo people has undergone
transformation due to Christian Missionaries in the early 18th
and 19th
centuries. Almost all communities are Christianized, it is doubtful
yet, how distinct are they now, in real terms.
The state
of Mizoram is surrounded by Myanmar and Bangladesh, two foreign
countries. Assam, Manipur and Tripura are the Indian states bordering
Mizoram. Aizawal is the state capital.
How to
reach:
The
Lengpui Airport situated at about 35 km from Aizawal, the state
capital is connected to Guwahati and Kolkata. Silichar in Assam (180
km from Aizawal) is the nearest railhead. Buses and private vehicles
are available from Silichar to Aizawal.
One needs
to obtain Inner Lane Permit. Carry your photo ID and copies of your
photographs. Entry formalities can be done at these cities: Kolkata,
Guwahati, Shillong, Delhi and Silichar.
Main
occupation in Mizoram is agriculture. Up until recently Mizo people
used to practice the age-old ‘Jhum’ (slash and burn) cultivation.
Now the government has introduced new methods of farming. People are
uniquely distinct and show strong community sense.
MIzo
people are best known by their Bamboo pole dance which is called
Cheraw Dance. They celebrate the festival of Thalfavang Kut Festival
every year in the month of November. This is a harvest festival.
Cultural games and dances will be showcased during then.
Mizoram
offers cloud filled hills, emerald valleys, meandering streams, and
unique tribal culture. Weather would be pleasant all through the
year. September to May would be the best time to visit. Buy
handicrafts, hand woven fabrics and bamboo crafts.
 |
| image courtesy: indianetzone.com |
Tourist
destinations in Mizoram:
- Aizawal: This hill town is closer to many important tourist destinations in Mizoram like Reiek village on a mountain top, Durtang Hills, Hmuifang, Berawtang, Solomon’s Temple, and Khuangchera Puk Cave. Don’t miss to visit the World’s Largest Family in Baktawang Village. Aizawal has good many hotels and resorts with modern amenities. Make the city your base destination. Rejoice your shopping in the traffic free Bara Bazar.
- What else would be more interesting than to explore exotic forests, steep hills, waterfalls in Mizoram?! Visit Phawngpui Blue Mountain which is located near Myanmar border. It is at about 230 km from Aizawal. You would be enthralled by rare kind of orchids and rhododendrons flowers.
image courtesy: industrialtour.com - Sibuta Lung Stone Architecture at Tachhip Village (20 km from Aizawal), Memorial of Chhingpui, Pangzawal Village, Lung Memorial Stone, Tualchang Stone slabs , Tomb of Vanhimailian, Vantawang Falls are some other tourist sites near Aizawal. Aizawal city is the main tourist point in Mizoram.
Tag :
Best of India,
Manipur: the land of Gandharvas!
Manipur,
being the home for a tradition of antiquity called Sanamahism and an
oldest ethnic community called Metei, is known as the ‘Switzerland
of East”. Imphal is the capital city.
Manipur
is the land of unique Metei culture representing unique dance style
and sports traditions. The region is known for elegant dance styles,
music tradition, martial arts and sculpture. The Rasalila dance with
delicate and graceful movements is known to be inherited by
Gandharvas. Pung Cholom, a group dance performed by playing a
percussion instrument called Pung, is a dance form performed by male
dancers.
 |
| image credit: manipuri.20m.com |
The state
was founded in 1972. It is surrounded by three Indian states
(Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam) and a foreign country (Myanmar).
Manipur’s
geographical terrain contains river valleys, and hills. The natural
environment in Manipur has been undisturbed so far. The presence of
AFSPA has been a matter of concern and you might have heard of Irom
Sharmila the brave lady of Manipur who has been protesting against
it.
Manipur
is connected well by Imphal Airport. The capital town is linked well
to Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Silichar and Agartala by air and
roadways. If you are traveling by train, Dimapur in Nagaland would be
the nearest destination. But, Dimapur is located at about 220 km from
Imphal.
Manipur
hosts a 10 days cultural fest from 21st
to 30th November
every year. It is known as the Manipur Sangai Festival.
Accommodation:
Imphal city is the best place
to stay. You would get plenty of hotels. If you want to check resorts
in the interiors of Manipur, you would get of course.
Cuisine:
Staple food is rice along with leafy vegetables and fish. They use
herbs and spices while preparing food. Serve in small banana leaf
pouches. Ngari, Iromba, Chamfoot and Morok are some popular names of
Manipuri dishes.
Shopping:
Go for Handloom articles, silk sarees, scarves, bamboo articles,
ivory articles, shawls and jewellery.
Important
tourist destinations:
- Bishnupur district: The popular tourist spot - Loktak Lake, a 14th century Vishnu temple, Keibul Lamjao National Park, INA memorial and the Loukoipat Lake. Loktak Lake is situated at about 48 km from Imphal. A tourist guest house attached with a cafeteria is there on an island called Sendra Island facing the lake.
- Imphal is divided into two districts: Imphal East and Imphal West. Imphal, the state capital is located in Imphal West district. Manipur State Museum, Shaheed Minar, Zoological garden, palace, Ima Market and the very famous Khonghampat Orchidarium are the main attraction in the district. The Orchidarium houses more than 100 orchid varieties. It is located on the outskirts of Imphal city.
- Senapati district: The district houses old villages belonging to age old Naga tribes. Yangkhullen and Makhel are the quite known among them. Mao, an oldest hill station is located in this district. Dzukou valley is the most popular tourist place in the Senapati district. With picturesque landscape and unique Lily flowers the valley attracts nature loving tourists. The valley is the home for the highest mountain peak in Manipur named, Manipur Mount. Sadhu Chiru Waterfall is also located in the same district.
Tag :
Best of India,