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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Nagaland Tourism Guide

Nagaland located at the north- eastern part of India, is bordered by the state of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh from the north, Burma from the east and Manipur from the north. The capital of the state is Kohima but the largest city of the state is Dimapur.

Nagaland is known to be the smallest state of the country. It is the small hilly state home to the sixteen tribes and sub tribes, each having their own language and dialect to communicate. The people of the state are known as the Nagas and they are having own culture and tradition which is very different living style from rest of the people from the country.

Nagaland as the place has the very colorful culture and is an important part of the country which is having 16 officially declared languages. The festivals of the state rotates around the agricultural cycle. The songs and dances are the soul features of the festivals of the state. As Ngaland is having the natural beauty therefore it has always been a good tourist spot. The Indian Government is also working hand in hand with the state to promote the tourism industry in the state. When the people feel stressed out with heavy workloads of the day to day work and if anyone wants to recharge the energy can always visit the place Nagaland. As the place is the hill station therefore, an individual will feel freshness in both mind and body in this remote hill station.

The department of tourism in the state also offers the package in the and it also conducts tours within the state as well as outside the Nagaland. The tourism depart of Nagaland offers Trekking and camping facility. In Nagaland, there are lots of opportunity for the adventure sports. The travel guide will help in exploring the every possible destination of the state. The detailed map of the state is the major requirement when any visitors comes to visit the place. Although the tourism is not so developed in the state still the government is trying well to develop the tourism there. Being a rural area, Nagaland donot have much modern amenities. The local people still welcomes the tourists with what the best they can provide guests and tourists.

The place is situated at the far north eastern part of the state and the special attraction of the state does not combines forts, palaces, temples etc. The place is serene in nature and is not at all effected by the industrialized world. It is the place which is having its own customs and traditions and has the wide flora and fauna that exist in the dense forestland.

Tribes: Among all the attraction of the state the major one is the tribes of the state who are having their own attires, tradition and cultural heritage. They are having their own folklores and festivals that displays their culture and tradition.

Kohima Village:
Kohima Village is a special place and an attractive tourist attraction. The Kohima village is adorned with the weapons and the warriors that is the folk symbol of the state.

World War II Cemetery: The next special attraction of the state is the World War II cemetery which is the combined troop of Britishers and Indians. The martyrs of the World War II has been buried over here. “When you go home, tell them of us and say / For your tomorrow, we gave our today” has been written over there at the wall.

Shangnyu Village: It is the 8ft and 12ft high monument that has been built by the wood and it has been believed by the people that it has been made by the heavenly angels. This village was ruled by the Angh and it is built in front of the Angh's palace.

Japfu Peak: The peak is known to be the second highest peak in the state which measures around 130ft at its height and the girth at the base is 11ft and it is also featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. It gives a beautiful view of the Himalayan ranges and the and also of Kohima town.

How to reach Nagaland:

Air: Dimapur is the only airport in Nagaland. The flights from Guwahati and Kolkata are directly connected to Dimapur and the connections can be made from other airports through Kolkata and Guwahati.

Railways: Dimapur has the railway station on the main line of North Eastern Frontier Railway. The railways is connected directly Guwahati.

Roadways: From Dimapur to Kohima there is lots of taxis are running. Buses are also there that connect directly from Dimapur and Kohima to Guwahati and Shillong. Tourists can also hire a taxi or a car from Guwahati and can reach Kohima. The drive takes around 6-7 hours.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009



A small state of recent origin, Mizoram was earlier known as the Lushai Hills. The state is located at a secluded tip of north-eastern India, away from all chaos and pandemonium of the urban destinations. A picturesque sunset behind the mountains, deep mysteries of the forests, green luxuries on the hills, blue reflecting streams, sparkling waterfalls gushing with pride, are all so appealing to the senses that u just desire to carry all of this and more, back home.


Also Known as: The Land of Blue Mountains.

Location: Mizoram is situated in the southernmost tip of north-east India. It is surrounded by the states of Assam, Tripura and Manipur in the north and the International borders of Bangladesh in the west and Mynamar to its east.

Climate: Mizoram experiences a pleasant climate almost throughout the year. Temperature variates between 10 and 30 degree Celsius here. Rainy season prevails in the months of June to August.

Best Time To Visit: September to March.

Languages: Mizo, Englsih, Hindi apart from local languages like Zahao, Lakher, Lai, Ralte, Lushai,etc.

Main Festivals: The main occupation of Mizos is agriculture. Thus, most of the festivals here revolve around various activities related to agriculture. Mim Kut or maize festival, Chapchar Kut or celebrations after forest clearing and Pawl Kut or harvest festival are the main festivals celebrated here.


Aizwal: Being the political, cultural and religious capital of Mizoram, Aizawl, is the most vibrant city of the state. The important attractions of Aizawl are Bara Bazaar or the main Bazaar, Mizoram State Museum, Bung and Paikhai which are famous picnic spots, Tamdil Lake for boating and fishing and Durtland Hills that offer a picturesque view of the state's heavenly assets.

Vairengte: A small town situated around 130 km from Aizawl, it is another scenic delight for the travelers. The place beholds ultimate green pastures, orchids in their full bloom, misty valleys and azure lakes offering a picture-perfect view. Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School is also located here, to train the anti terrorist squad.

Phawngpui: The tallest peak of Mizoram, Phawngpui, is revered as a sacred site. It is known as the blue mountain of Mizoram because of its blue appearance lent by the presence of orchids and rhododendrons.

Tamdil Lake: Tamdil Lake is a scenic lake, situated in Mizoram, at a distance of 85 km from its capital city. The lake is famous as a picnic spot where you can laze around on the green stretch circumscribing the lake. Facilities for boating are available here.

Champai: Located in the southern part of Mizoram, Champai is known as its rice bowl. It possesses a very fertile land where Orchards, Kiwis and paddy plantations are located, apart from the many vineyards situated here. Murlen National Park, with its diverse flora and fauna, is also located here.

Activities: Mizoram offers the travelers close encounters with adventure and thrill. One can enjoy elephant rides, forest safaris and trekking in the Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary and Ngengpui Sanctuary. Natural caves, dug deep inside the rocky mountains, are awaiting to be explored by you. You can feel the curiosity within to unleash the mysteries of the dark in the Pukzing caves, Milu Puk and Kugawrhi Puk. Champai is the best option for trekking, especially as the green fields and blooming rhododendrons add to the beauty of the site. Phawngpui or the blue mountains are ideal for mountaineering. Besides these activities you can also enjoy shopping and pleasure activities like boating, cycling and picnics.


Tribes of Mizoram are mainly followers of Christianity. Though Hinduism and Buddhism is also followed by some of the inhabitants. They are very ancient in origin and have an organized structure. They are mostly literates and mostly converse in English or Mizo. Their primary occupation is agriculture mainly terrace and jhum cultivation. Other means of livelihood are handloom and cottage industries, grain mills and food processing factories. People of these tribes are humble and generous. They don't miss even a single opportunity to celebrate and rejoice. The main festivals of the region include the harvest festivals of Chapchar Kut and Pawl Kut which are the harvest festivals. Their folk dance is bamboo dance known as Cheraw and Khuallam, which is a welcoming dance for the outsiders. The main tribes of Mizoram include Chakma tribes, Pawi tribes, Himar, Paithes, Lakhers, Kuki and Ralte tribes.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Tribes of North East India

Undoubtedly the least explored and the most pristine region, North-east India is a bouquet full of unique treasures of “Mother Nature”. It is one of the most enriched region of flora and fauna, and distinct culture. Home to various indigenous tribal communities belonging to the Austro-Asiatic linguistic family.

North east India is comprises of eight incredible states namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim and Tripura. All these states are mostly inhabited by the tribal people. They have their own distinct culture, traditions, languages, cuisines and attires. Every tribal community has their unique lifestyle. Tribal people mostly lives in the lush green hilly and forested areas. Forests are the major source of their livelihood.

North east India has numerous tribal communities such as Adis, Apatanis, Angami, Ao, Rengma, Nyishi, Garo, Khasi, Jaintias, Lushais, Kukis, Bodo, Mishing, Karbi, Bhutias, Lepchas, Nepalese, Riang, Trippera and Tripuri. Among them, ten major tribes of North -east India are as follows.

Ten major tribes of North-east India

1.1 Adis Tribal Community:- Adis are one of the major tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh. They are very democratic in nature and have their own village council known as Kebang. They mostly lives on the spurs of hills. Adis have two divisions namely Bogums and Bomis. Again they are divided into various sub tribes. Adis people practices polygamy. They entertain themselves with their traditional dance form called ponung, which are very popular in the entire state. Adis men and women are very good craftsmen and weavers. They prepare artifacts of bamboo and cane.

2.2 Nyishi Tribal Community:-
The Nyishi tribe is a Indo-Mongoloid stock that mainly inhabited in the lower part of the Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is the largest tribal community of Arunachal Pradesh in terms of population and inhabited area. They speaks a different language which is a part of Tibeto-Burman language family. The main occupation of Nyishis are agriculture. Even they are engaged in forest wealth collection and fishing. As, these people are good hunters, they can very well handle bow and arrows. They have their own set of secretive customs and regulations, which they follow very strictly. Nyokam is the major festival of Nyishis. It is a harvest festival and dedicated to Goddess lakshmi. Nyishis are evry lively people and loves dance, drama and music. Rekham Pada dance is the main dance form of this tribal community.

3.Angami Tribal Community:- Angami is one of the major tribal community of Nagaland. They are also found in Manipur. They have a huge population of 12 million. Their main occupation is agriculture. Every year they produce near about 20 species of paddy. Another major occupation of Angamis is woodcarving. Angamis men are excellent craftsman and masons whereas women are expert weavers. Most of the Angami people follow Christianity. They mainly speaks Tenyidie which is also known as Angami, Gnamei, Ngami, Angamis, Tsoghami, Tsugumi, Monr, Tsanglo. Sekrenyl or Phousanyi is the major festival of Angami people. This is a 10 day festival, held in the month of February. It marks the beginning of the new year.

4.Rengma Tribal Community:
-Another Naga tribal community is Rengma. They are found in both Nagaland and Assam. Rengma community has a total population of 50, 966 in entire Nagaland. They are divided into subcategories- Eastern Rengmas and Western Rengmas. They are expert terrace cultivators. Their main festival is Ngada which is a harvest festival. It is celebrated in the month of November just after the end of cultivation season. They bury their dead, and place the spear and the shield of the deceased in the grave.The funeral ceremonies end with lamentations and feasting.

5.Khasi Tribal Community:-Khasis are the major tribal community of Meghalaya. They occupies almost half of the total population of Meghalaya. They are mostly engage in the jhum cultivation and resides in the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya. Khasis mainly follow the matrilineal and matriarchal society. They speaks a Mon-Khmer Language which belongs to the Austro-Asiatic Family. Some of the Khasi festival are Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Ka Pom-Blang Nongkrem, Ka-Shad Shyngwiang-Thangiap, Ka-Shad-Kynjoh Khaskain, Ka Bam Khana Shnong, Umsan Nongkharai and Shad Beh Sier.

6.Garo Tribal Community:-Tagged as the second largest tribal community of Meghalaya, Garo tribes occupies one third of the total state population. They resides in the Garo hills of Meghalaya and some districts of Assam and West Bengal. Their traditional religion was Songserak, described as animist. But later they had changed their religion and becomes Christian. Garo customs and traditions are passed on to next generation orally only. The main festival of Garo community is Wangala. It is celebrated in the month of the October or November as a thank giving ceremony for the Saljong god. Beside Christmas, other Garo festivals are the Galamakduwa, Agalmaka etc. Major dance forms of Garo tribes are Ajima roa, Mi Su'a, Chambil mpa, Do'kru-Sua, Kambe toa, Gaewang roa, Napsepgrika and many others.

7.Lushais Tribal Community:-
Lushais, are the aboriginal tribal community of Mizoram. Lushais are one of the major sub-groups of Mizos. They are mostly inhabited in the north Lushai hills and some parts of Assam and Manipur. These people are engaged in the collection of forest products and basket preparation. They mainly speaks the Lushai, which is a dialect and follows Christianity.

8. Bodo Tribal Community:- This tribal community is the earliest settler of Assam. Bodo is a plain tribal community. They comprises 5.3% of the total population of Assam and are the largest ethnic and linguistic group of Brahmaputra valley. They practiced both Bathouism and Hinduism. People of this community speaks bodo language which is derived from the Tibeto-Burmese family of language.

9.Bhutia Tribal community:- These are one of the prominent tribal community of Sikkim. They have migrated from Tibet and resides in the Lachen and Lachung areas of North Sikim. They generally speaks Bhutia which is a dialect of Tibetan language. They are mainly engaged in agriculture, government jobs and business also.

10.Riang Tribal Community:- This is a tribal community of Tripura. It is the second most crowded sub-tribal group of Tripura. These people mainly resides in the North and South Tripura districts. They generally speaks Riang which is a dailect of Kokborok language. They are mainly engage in jhum cultivation. Nowadays some people are also engage in government jobs. Riang people have a distinct culture and tradition. They pay their homage to 14 god and goddess of the Tripura state.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Sikkim in North East India

Sikkim is a little paradise enclosing prettiest of landscapes and natural attractions. It sits on the lap of the mighty Himalayas, and houses ethnic Buddhist Gompas, frothy lakes maneuvering through the valleys, opulent forests, an assortment of tribes and wide variety of wildlife species is all that your soul would have demanded for an ultimate sojourn.


Location: Located in the north eastern part of India, Sikkim is a small state curled between the international borders of Nepal, Bhutan and China.

Climate: Winters are generally chilly, with temperature dipping to minus 4 degree Celsius, summers are pleasant and monsoon months receive heavy rainfall. Sometimes it rains non-stop for several days.

Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to December

Languages: Nepali, Bhutia (Sikkimese and Tibetan), Hindi, English.

Main Festivals: The main festivals celebrated in Sikkim include Losar, Saga Dawa, Bumchu, Phang Lhabsol, Kalcharka Puja, Namsoong, Sakewa, apart from the the famous Hindu festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Janmashtmi, Sankranti, Holi, etc.


Gangtok: Being the capital city of Sikkim, Gangtok, provides you with a glance of what all this beautiful state has to offer travelers. One will be mesmerized by the greenery, cloud draped peaks, orchids, monasteries, lakes, parks and winding roads. The main attractions of the place are Do Drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery, Tsongmo Lake, Lal Bazaar, Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok.

Yumthang Valley: The deserted valley of Yamthung is located in North Sikkim. It is the place of hot springs that have healing properties. The valley is covered with beautiful and colorful flowers, specially Rhododendron and Primula. The best time to visit here is during February/March, when the valley seems to be a flowerbed.

Rumtek Monastery: Rumtek Monastery is the largest monastery in Sikkim. It is located in eastern Sikkim. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for the Buddhists, which is also known as the Dharma Chakra Centre. It remained an important seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage for several years.

Tsomgo Lake: Also known as Changu Lake, it is a place of worship for the Sikkimese, due to the presence of a Shiva temple located close to the lake. The color of the water here was used in earlier times, to predict future, by the Buddhist saints. The lake and its nearby areas offer a very pleasant sight for the travelers, to spend a quiet evening.

Pelling: For an overwhelming sight of the Kanchenjunga peak, there cannot be any other place than Pelling. From the comforts of the resorts and hotels here, you can have a glimpse of the great Himalayan peak. Apart from the mountain peaks, other attractions of the place are Pemayangtse Monastery, Kechepalri Lake and Sangay Waterfall.

Tedong Hill: Tedong Hill is a famous attraction of Sikkim, known for its scenic views of the green hills and valleys and calm atmosphere. Located in south Sikkim, Tedong Hill is mostly visited by Buddhist monks, who come here to meditate in the peaceful surroundings.

There are a numerous options available for adventure sports in Sikkim. It would definitely be a thrilling though a back breaking experience to try out mountaineering here on the Himalayan peak of Kanchenjunga, for the trained climbers. Other less severe areas for rock climbing would include Kabru and Sinolchu. One can also try out other sports activities like mountain biking, river rafting, hang gliding, kayaking and other less dangerous activities like fishing, yak safari,etc. These enthralling sports will definitely satiate your thirst for adventure.


The tribal population of Sikkim, creates a magical spell on this island, not with their mantras but with their vibrant and colorful culture, art and rituals. People belonging to the tribes are very humble and kind. They believe in celebrating life and wearing elaborate accessories. The main tribes belonging to Sikkim are the first comers, Lepchas, who mainly follow Buddhism or Christianity, the Bhutias and the Nepalese. They are the largest contributors to the Sikkim's cultural heritage. Other tribes of Sikkim include Limbu, Thakurs, Chettris, Gurangs and Tamangs.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Precautions To Be Taken By Traveller to North East India

North East India is terror stuck. Everyday, we hear news about terrorism in the region. This has been the major cause behind the lapse of tourism in this bewitching zone.

North East is a charming zone of northern eastern part of India . It is the melting point of three major biogeographical zone of India and not visting is definitely missing something.

If you take extra precautions and security, North East India could be wandered without much fear. Only you need to follow some rules and adhere to your own safety.

 It is very important for travellers to procure a good and reputed travel agent. Travel agents would be your only guide to the region, so it is necessary that they provide genuine and latest updates of the condition prevailing.

 Once you are done with travel agents, you must see the period when you are visiting. Search for news and latest information on North East India, incase you happened to see any misconduct, it is advisable that you skip that time.
 Take a Valid Visa and Passport.
 Avoid unnecessary photography
 Get requisite medical check up done.
 Incase you find anything suspectful while travelling in North East India, it is advisable to report to the Police immidiately
