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Tripura: Land of Oranges
It was a
princely state in the colonial times. The state at present, is just
gearing up for the contemporary trends in tourism. Tripura, best
known for rich natural landscape, is quiet region compared to its
sister states in the North Eastern India.
Agartala,
the capital city of Tripura is the most visited city. Accommodation
with wide range of hotels and resorts and connectivity make Agartala
a possible tourist junction in Tripura.
People of
Tripura feel proud if you mention the name of Indian legendary music
composer late S.D. Burman. S.D. Burman, possessing a royal
inheritance in Tripura, was born and brought up in present day
Bangladesh. But, he is considered an icon of Tripura till today.
Another legendary personality, the poet Rabindranath Tagore also is
respected highly in this state. He seems to have great affinity with
the Manikya rulers of Tripura. So, you would win the hearts of
Tripura people by mentioning these two famous personalities!
Total 19
tribes live in the state. The Kokborok speaking community is the main
dominant tribe among all. At present the state houses mixed culture.
Influence of Bengali culture on food and festivities is apparently
visible.
Agriculture
is the main activity here. Tripura borders Myanmar in the east and
Bangladesh in the west.
How to
reach: Agartala is well connected by road,
rail and airways. Flights are available from Agartala to Delhi,
Kolkata, Imphal, Silichar and Guwahati. You would get connecting
flights to other cities. Agartala is connected to Assam, Dhaka and
Comilla by train. The state is connected by only one National Highway
and that is not in good condition.
What
to buy: Buy Bamboo and Cane products and
Tripuri traditional dress. Tripuri traditional dress consists of
three parts out of which only two parts are worn nowadays. The
pattern will be somewhat like wrap around and a top, but it is known
as Rignai (wrap around) and Risa (top).
What
to see: Most visited city in Trpura is
Agartala. Other parts of the state could be reached by buses and taxis. Interiors of the state can offer government guest houses and
low budget hotels.
Agartala:
The city boasts of having a rich historical connection with the Manikya rulers. The city was the capital of the Princely State that ruled over the region. Ujjayanta Palace, Museum, Sukanta Academy, and Purbasa Emporium are the main attractions in the city.
Unakoti,
It is at about 178 km from Agartala, is a place of attraction from archeological point of view. This place is known for stone carvings on a hill belonging to 7th/8th centuries. These rock carvings of Shiva and other gods are situated randomly on a hill. Imagine a hill comprising carvings on its huge rocks everywhere! Also visit Debtamura and Pilak sites.Tripura Sundari Temple:
it is considered one of the Shakti Peethas in India. The place is located about 55 km from Agartala.Gomuti Bird sanctuary:
This is located at about 40 km from Agartala and is a good place for bird lovers.Jampui Hill:
This is at about 250 km from the capital. This is a beautiful hill station comprising orange gardens. Visit during winter months to see orange trees bearing orange fruits.
Jampui Hill
(image credit:
Tag :
Best of India,
Explore North East India-Nagaland
 |
| Map of Nagaland image courtesy: wikimedia |
Nagaland, the land of 16 indigenous tribes and their unique traditions, is located between Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. Kohima is the capital city. The city of Dimapur bordering Assam is the main city inside the state having good connection with other parts of the country by road, rail and Airways. It takes about one and half hour to reach Kohima from Dimapur by road.
Culture of Nagaland
comprises of indigenous tribes following the traditions of their
forefathers, but, most of them have been Christianized during the
Colonial rule. One can expect modernized cities and people over
there. However, the native culture is preserved through community
festivals and local rituals. The Great Indian
Hornbill festival is one such cultural gathering of all tribal
people.
It is the home for
Hornbills, Tragopan (State Bird of Nagaland), and Mithun
(domesticated Gaur species. The geographical terrain contains hill
ranges. The region experiences cool weather throughout the year. It
is one of the most hospitable destinations in North East India.
Nagaland is served by
one airport located at Dimapur. Connecting flights and direct flights
are available to Guwahati and Kolkata. Dimapur is the well connected
railway head in the state. Buses and rental taxis are available to
travel around the state.
You can stay either in
Dimapur or Kohima. However, do not miss to experience village stays.
Bamboo huts built in the model of the tribal huts provide you a
different experience. Do not worry about the amenities. The huts and
guest houses at the villages provide western facilities.
Indian tourists are
required to get Inner Lane Permit and foreign tourists no longer
require the Restricted Area Permit (barring tourists from Bangladesh,
China and Pakistan).
Destinations to visit:
- Dimapur: This is an ancient city known for Ahom rule and the Kachari Dimasa rulers. It is said that the region in which the present day Dimpaur is located was the place of Hidimba (wife of Bhima) from the Mahabharata. At present the city is the gateway to Nagaland. Ruins of old Kachari tribe are preserved in the city.
- Kohima: This city witnessed the famous battle between the Japanese and the British forces during the Second World War. Visit the war memorial and the Kisama Heritage Village here. Make a trip during the first week of December; you would get to participate in the famous Hornbill Festival.
- Mokokchung: This district is the home of Ao tribe. Visit the Mopungchuket village.
Mokokchung (image credit:stylesatlife.com) - Mon: It is the home for the Konyak tribe. You can find the tribal people appearing in traditional tribal dress. This district borders Myanmar. The district hosts Aoleong Monyu Festival in April.
- Wokha: This is the home for Lotha tribe. This is best known for landscape, and fresh farm products.
How to reach Nagaland:
By Air - The state has only one airport which is at Dimapur, It's connected with Dibrugarh, Delhi, and Kolkata by regular flights.
By Rail - Dimapur Railway station is the only railway station in Nagaland and it is connected to Guwahati and Kolkata.
By Road - Taking a road to reach Nagaland is best way to visit Nagaland because the state has a good network of National and state highway with other major cities of India. You can opt or book private taxi or cab online from Dimapur, Kohima and Guwahati.Tag :
Best of India,
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.
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| 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,