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North Eastern States of India
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MEGHALAYA | ARUNACHAL PRADESH | TRIPURA | NAGALAND | MANIPUR | MIZORAM |
ASSAM
Introduction:
Assam
is the anglicized form of the name of the premier State
of North - East India a region most strategically situated
, close to India's international borders with as many
as four countries - China; Burma, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
The basic term Assam is interpreted by some scholars
as a formation of Sanskrit derivation, which means peerless
or unparalleled. But the opinion more widely accepted
in academic circles to - day is that the term has come
from the original name of the Ahoms, who had presided
over the destiny of the land for a long and unbroken
stretch of over six hundred years prior to its annexation
by the British.
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Climate:
Located between 90 deg. - 96 deg.
East Longitude and 24-38 deg. North Latitude, Assam
is dominated by the mighty Brahmaputra river that has
its origins in Tibet. Indeed , a large part of the state
is located in the narrow valley that the river has created
over the ages. The state's population includes a startling
mix of Dravidians and Aryans and Tibeto-Burmans
The
Language
Assamese, one of the languages listed
in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution , is the
premier language of Assam and also the official language
of the state. Of course, there is the associate language
status of Bodo in some Bodo-majorty areas and the recognition
of Bengali up to the district level in the Barak Valley.
History:
Assam has stood as the sentinel
of the North-Eastern outpost of Indian civilization
since the earliest days. She has been an witness to
and a participant in the shaping of Indian history and
civilization in this part of our great country. This
land of the red river and the blue hill was known in
ancient times as Pragiyotisha and Kamarupa and had then
covered a much larger territory, at times extending
as far as the border of Nepal. The Authentic history
of Assam can definitely be said to begin with the Varman
Dynasty. The first king of this dynasty was Pushyavarman
who ruled in the second half of the fourth century A.D.
and who was a contemporary of Emperor Samudragupta.
The last and undoubtedly the greatest and most illustrious
king of the Varman dynasty was Kumara Bhaskaravarman
(A.D.594-650) who was a worthy friend and ally of Emperor
Harshavardhana and who, aside from recovering the lost
territory of his kingdom from savant Huen Tsang had
visited Kamarupa. From the accounts of Huen Tsang and
also from references in the Harshacharita of Banabhatta,
it is known that Bhaskaravarman's kingdom covered almost
the whole of eastern India and enjoyed great prosperity.
Flora
& Fauna:
Few other places in India look as
fresh an vibrant as Assam with so much of greenery,
cool and soothing , lush and luring. There are the verdant
hills slowly rising from the plains in undulating Waves
, covered be mysterious forests with the winds whispering
through them and the wayward streams playing hide-and-seek,
the scene occasionally altered by patches of jhum lands
flanking picturesque tribal villages with the quaint
platform houses. And , of course , there is the mighty
Brahmaputra flowing majestically along, brilliant with
vast expanses of silvery sand against the azure sky
in winter and awe-inspiring with its deluge-causing
turbulence in the rainy months.
No description of the landscape of
the state , particularly of Upper Assam , can be complete
without a reference to the chains of tea gardens with
acres and acres of lush green tea bushes arranged in
neat rows. Assam is blessed with unusually rich flora.
Trees like the Indian laburnum and queen's flower ,
Indian coral and flame of the forest, rain tree and
kadamba, Burmese pink acacia and Australian acacia,
some of them indigenous and others exotic, grow almost
anywhere. Besides sal, teak and other valuable timber
trees which Assam grows in plenty , Assam's forests
have the fullest range of tropical vegetation types
- the dry evergreen type represented by species like
Acacia catechu and the wet evergreen type with such
specimens as the giant Dictuacarpus Macro -carpus and
the Shorea Sssamica , sometimes measuring upto 150 feet
in height and 10 feet in diameter. Then there are the
orchids, bright and beautiful, soft, and charming ,dazzling
against the luxuriant green of the forest. Many of the
abundant varieties are the connoisseur's delight, found
nowhere else in the world. Equally, if not even more
, attractive is the wealth of Assam's fauna. There are
so many species that are either exclusive to her or
rarely to be seen in any other part of the country.
The hoolock gibbon-India's only ape, the stump-tailed
macaque, the capped langur and the golden langur monkeys
are peculiar to Assam. The pigmy hog is found nowhere
else in the world. Assam is also the habitat of such
rare species as the clouded leopard, the golden cat,
the peculiar giant civet ,the binturong , the hog badger
and the giant squirrel. However , Assam is famous all
over the world as the home of the Indian one-homed rhino
(rhinoceros Unicorns - one of the four types of rhinos)
with which is almost inextricably linked the name of
the Kaziranga National Park.True, Kaziranga has the
rare distinction of not only saving this prehistoric
mammal from the verge of extinction but also of increasing
its population in a spectacular manner.
Different species of tigers including
the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger were once found in large
numbers almost in all parts of Assam and they constituted
a kind of menace. But today the tiger is a protected
animal and with it is intimately associated the very
successful Tiger Project located the famous Manas Sanctuary
area.
Faith
& Culture
The society in Assam is not just
a haphazard conglomeration of diverse racial and cultural
elements but a composite whole arising out of the integration
and synthesis of all of them. Indeed , Assam has been
a curious melting pot into which have gone the Aryan
and the non-Aryan , the tribal and the non-tribal ,
the indigenous and the exotic, making for a delightful
fare with a wonderful mixed flavour . The majority of
the population in the plains is made up of caste Hindus
speaking the Aryan Assamese language. But the Aryan
racial strain is prominent only in the upper castes,
most of the other castes showing distinctly Mongoloid
features. And a very large proportion of the Assamese-speaking
population are of tribal stock. The majority of the
tribal groups belong to the Tibeto-Burman family, such
as the Bodo-Kacharis, the Rabhas , the Tiwas (Lalungs),
the Misings, the Sonowalkacharis, the Deuris and the
Bannans in the plains, and the Karbis, the Dimasa Kacharis
, the Rengma Nagas , the Zemi Nagas, the Kukis and the
Hmars in the hills .
In Assam, the line between the tribal
and the non-tribal is pretty thin and the so called
non tribal Assamese Hindu society retains many elements
which are patently 'tribal' by orthodox Hindu standards.
Castes are not strictly occupation linked, and caste
based disabilities are very few.
Handicrafts:
In medieval Assam, the craftsmen
were organised into khels or guilds. The Ahom rulers
had not only encouraged indigenous craftsmen and their
arts but had also brought families of expert artisans
and craftsmen from outside the kingdom and settled them
here, fitting them into the various khels of guilds.
The Assamese chronicles record the settlement of a number
of Muslim families specialising in arts and crafts in
which the local craftsmen lacked expertise.
Handloom
of Assam :
If there is any field of arts and
crafts in which the north - eastern region surpasses
others - be it in colour scheme, decorative design of
workmanship - it is that of textiles . Also , nowhere
else is weaving so replete with artistic sensibility
and so intimately connected with folk life. Spinning
, weaving and the execution of designs form the themes
of a considerable body of oral folklore in each of the
indigenous communities, and weaving silk is considered
a most desirable , if not essential , accomplishment
for a woman, whatever her status in the society.
Silk
Fabrics:
Assam's weaving heredity is not confined
to cotton textiles alone but also covers silk fabrics
of the finest quality. In fact it is claimed that the
art of silk weaving was first brought from China to
India by the Kirata people of Assam and the land has
ever been associated with the production of the best
quality silk.
Other
Crafts:
Bamboo and Cane grow profusely almost
everywhere in Assam and they occupy a very important
place in her material culture. Bamboo is used for making
a astonishing range of day-to-day articles such as musical
instruments , fishing gear, weaving accessories and
so on.
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Fairs
and Festivals
A perfect fusion of heritage of
her numerous faces have made Assam the home of most
colourful festivals at once passionate, compelling and
mesmerizing. Most festivals celebrated in Assam have
their root in the diverse faith and belied of her inhabitants.
Festivals such as Diwali, Holi , Durga Puja, Lakshmi
Puja, Kalipuja are major festivals of the Shaktas. Those
of Islamic faith celebrate Idd & Muharram . Tribals
of Assam have their own colourful festivals like the
Kherai Puja of the Bodos, the Baikhu and Pharkantis
of the Rabhas , Ali-ai-ligang and Parag by the Missing
tribe, the Sagra-misawa wansawa and laghun by the Tiwas.
Raga music must have made its entry
into this area very early on. The Char,'apadas composed
in the north eastern region between the 8th and 11th
centuries were meant for rendering in specific ragas
like Pata-Manjari, Gavada, and so on. This tradition
seems to have been carried down through the centuries
as can be surmised from the fact that Assamese~ Panchali
poets of the 16th century used for their lyrical compositions
a set of ragas, some of which had identical names with
Charyapada ragas .
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Oja-Pali
Oja-Pali is a very old performing
art form of Assam, which combines narrative singing
with dancing and dramatic interludes .The music of Oja
pali has a raga system of clearly classical orientation,
and the Neo-Vaishnava heritage.As already indicated
, some of the best treasures of Assamese performing
arts are associated with the neo-Vaishnava heritage
and best preserved in the Safras. First, there are the
Vaishnava musical forms of which the most remarkable
is a classical genre with a distinctive system of ragas
and talas introduced by the great virtuoso Sankaradeva.
Bhaona
The ideal type of the Bhaona is the
Ankiya-Bhaona involving the performance of a play composed
by Sankaradeva or Madhavadeva, clearly reminiscent of
the orthodox Sanskrit drama tradition.
Bihu Songs & Dances
Singing and dancing constitute essential
features of the springtime Bihu festival. The Bihu songs
are mostly strains woven round themes of love and yearning,
often having distinct erotic overtones, with characteristically
catchy and earthy tunes. The Bihu dance, performed by
young men and women, similarly reflect youthful passion
and joie de vivre. Accompanied by lusty playing of the
drum (dhol) , the bamboo clapper (taka), the buffalo-horn
pipe (pepa), and the Jew's harp (gagana), the dance
is characterised by brisk steppings, flinging and flipping
of hands , and swaying of the hip symbolizing not only
the spirit of the spring but also of the reproductive
urge.
Tribal
Dance Forms
Some of the important dances of the
Bodos are associated with the Kherai Puja festival and
are ritualistic in nature. These shamanistic dances
are performed by the deodhani/daudini (female shaman)
in a state of trance, often with vigorous movements
of the head, tossing and swinging the disheveled hair.
Bagurumba
Dance
A most graceful and captivating dance
of the Bodos is the famous Bagurumba dance of the maidens.
In this dance full of rhythm and vivacity, the dancers
hop and swing , bend and unbend, and at times give the
impression of fluttering butterflies.
Missing
Dances
The best missing dances form integral
parts of the two major Missing festivals -Ali-Ai-ligang
and Po~rag . Hunting, fishing, arrow shooting, rowing,
weaving, transplanting and harvesting, etc. are artistically
depicted in the Ah-ai-ligung dances in which all people
men and women, young and old, married and single dance
in rows and circles. In Po~rag, there take place lively
friendly competitions in dancing and drumming.
Dances
of Tiwas
While the hill Tiwas have some impressive
dances connected with their Sagra-misawa, Wan-sawa and
Langkhun Puja ceremonies, the most interesting dances
of the plains Tiwas are adjuncts of the Barat-puja ceremony,
featuring the use of a peculiar musical instrument called
sarai-lau and of masks representing various gods and
animals.
Karbi
Dances
Of the many folk dances of the Karbis,
perhaps the most important are those of a ritualistic
nature centering around chomangkan, the elaborate death
ceremony.
Dimasa
Dances
The Dimasas of North Cachar hills
also have ritualistic dances performed in ceremonies
like Pajini Gobra and Harni Gorba in which the oracle
takes part in a state of procession.
Places
of Tourist Interest
Guwahati
Straddling either banks of the Brahmaputra,
Guwahati said to be the legendary Pragjyotishpur or
city of Eastern Light is a bustling, busy and crowded
city. Guwahati is actually two words :Guwa meaning areca
nut and Hat , meaning market of market for areca nuts
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Kamakhya
Temple
Assam's biggest attraction is the
Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal hill, where the Goddess
Kamakhya is worshipped and which commands a majestic
view of the city and the river. The ponds here are home
to giant turtles which are quite used to being fed by
the visitors.
Umananda
Shiva Temple
Another temple which draws people
is the Shiva temple on the island of Umananda .This
site is especially busy during the Shiv Ratri festival
when God is worshipped and boats, packed with pilgrims,
ply to the island. There are other centres of religious
& archeological interest such as the temples of Nabagraha
and Basista as well as of Janardhana.
State
Museum
This is a must for visitors with exhibits which date
to the 5th century A.D. stone sculptures and bronzes.
Excursions:
Sualkuchi Sualkuchi is an hour's
drive from Guwahati and produces the golden silken thread
for which Assam is famous. One can see the silk begin
the journey from the cocoon stage ,to its unraveling
and then to the loom finally as a saree of the traditional
Mekhala Chador, the two piece saree, which women wear
on festive occasions.
Hajo
Hajo, 25 kms , west of Guwahati ,
is the site of prince who turned preacher and traveled
all the way to Assam in the 12th century to spread the
Prophet's teachings. Hajo is revered by Hindus & Muslims,
for in the town is the Hayagriba Madhava temple , reached
by way of a long stairway. At the base of the stairway
is a large pond where resides one of Hajo's most famous
residents; the giant turtle . The town is well known
for its Bell metal work of plates and serving bowls
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Kaziranga
Kaziranga, is one of the most visited
wildlife reserves of India and figures quite often on
the itinerary of the discerning tourist from around
the world . It is spread over 430 sq kms and is the
place where one of the last creatures of the prehistoric
age, the rhinoceros lives. The route to the park is
full of wetlands and some forests apart from the tall
elephant grass , is scenic. Along the route you will
pass the town of Jagiroad, where the Assam Silk Mill
has an outlet, and the town of Nogaon. 14Kms from Nogaon
is Bordoa, the birth place of Assamese saint and reformer,
Sankardeva, who led a 15 th century revival movement
of Vaisnavism. Sibsagar Sibsagarwas once the capital
of the Ahom rulers who dominated Assam of more than
600 years .This city's main feature is the water body
from which it gets its name: a 129 acre tank that is
at an higher elevation than the rest of the town, with
three temples on its banks. Joysagar said to be the
biggest man-made lake in the country is spread over
3318 acres of water on the edge of the town. A new addition
is the Ahom Museum on the bank of the Sibsagar. It stores
artifacts of the rulers including swords and clothes,
manuscripts , goblets etc.
Dibrugarh
Take a day trip to Dibrugarh , one
of the major tea producing centres of the subcontinent
.The road to the city is flanked by tea gardens on either
side, a carpet of green bushes ; women and men stand
in the shade and sun, plucking the leaves and tossing
them into conical cane baskets.
Tezpur
Driving south from Jorhat and then
across the Brahmaputra on the Kalia Bhomura bridge ,
you will come to Tezpur or city of Blood also known
as Sonitpur. A special sight of boats and vessels awaits
the visitor to this town . Ruins of stone temples and
a door frame discovered at Da Parbatia, about 5kms west
of Tezpur, date to 5th & 6th centuries. About 50 kms
from Tezpur is the Eco Camp near the Jia Bhoroli river
& across the river, on the other side is the Nameri
National Park.
Wildlife
Sanctuaries and National Parks
Assam is perhaps best known for
two things: tea and the one horned rhinoceros, which
is found in large numbers at Kaziranga National Park.
Kaziranga is one of the most visited wildlife reserves
of India and figures quite often on the itinerary of
the discerning tourist from around the world. Kaziranga
is spread over more than 430 sq kms and is the place
where one of last creatures of the prehistoric age,
the rhinoceros lives .They are best viewed from atop
an elephant .At the sanctuary, you can sight herds of
wild elephants, the massive wild buffalo , huge numbers
of deer - the hog deer, the barasingha or twelve antlered
and the large and stately sambhar.
Nameri National Park sprawls over
from Assam into Arunachal Pradesh .The best way of traveling
here is on elephants. There are no roads inside the
Park .The thick jungle with patches of swamp, is home
to a variety of animals & birds . Among the animals
you can spot are the powerful Mithun of Indian Bison
and the rare white Winged Wood Duck, among the most
endangered bird species on earth.
Stay
Assam
Capital
: Guwahati
Hotel
Dynasty
Hotel Rak Mahal
Hotel Brahmputra Ashok
Hotel Nandan
Hotel Rituraj
V.I.P.International
Tourist Lodge
Tezpur:
Tourist Lodge (Govt.)
Hotel Luit (pvt)
Tented accommodation in Eco-Camp (Nameri National Park
end route Bomdila)
Sibsagar:
Tourist
Lodge, Sibsagar.
How
to get there ?
Assam
Capital:
Guwahati
Indian
Airlines Connects Guwahati with Calcutta, Delhi, Bagdogra,
Imphal, Agartala. Guwahati is connected by good motorable
roads with-
Shillong
(103 kms)
Kaziranga National Park (217 kms)
Manas Wildlife Sancutary (176 kms)
Dimapur (280 kms)
Itanagar (420 kms)
Imphal (487 kms)
Agartala (599 kms)
Aizwal (538 kms)
Gangtok (624 kms)
Darjeeling (587 kms)
Calcutta (1182 kms)
Kohima (342 kms)
Sibsagar
Sibsagar is well connected by road, Distance from is
369 kms. From Jorhat 56 kms and Dibrugarh 80 kms .All
the three places are connected by air, rail and by road.
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MEGHALAYA
Introduction:
Meghalaya
is literally the 'Abode of the Clouds'. The name describes
the climatic phenomenon that brings torrents of rain
to this region. Meghalaya is a region of great scenic
beauty : a panorama of lush, undulating hills, fertile
valleys, 250 species of orchids , meandering rivers,
waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams and lakes .It
was declared the 21st state of India on 21 January 1972.
It united the areas of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills.
The state approximately 22,429 sq kms in area lies between
the latitudes 25.10-26.50 N and the longitudes of 85.49
0-92.52 E. It is bounded by Assam in the north and the
east , and the plains of Bangladesh in the south and
west. The state is divided into three hilly regions
- the Garo Hills (Western Meghalaya), the Khasi Hills
(Central Meghalaya) and the Jaintia Hills (Eastern Meghalaya).
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Climate:
The state of Meghalaya is directly influenced by the
southwestern monsoon that originates in the Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon begins in May and continues until October.
Mawsynram in East Khasi Hills district has one of the
heaviest rainfalls in the world with a July average
of 959 mms. The climate from November to April is almost
dry. Winter begins in December and lasts until February
The
Language:
The
principal languages in Meghalaya are Khasi, Garo and
English. However, the state language is English.
History
The
earliest mention of the word 'Khasi' appears in Sankaradeva's
'Bhagavata Purana' compose about 1500 A.D. in the Indo-Aryan
literatures. In fact we come across very few reliable
references to the history of the Khasia in the Khasi
Hills before the nineteenth century, but the history
of Jaintia Hinduised kings and also the history of Khyrim
Kings in fragments are preserved in the Ahom, Kachari,
Koch and Jaintia 'buranijis'. The warring chiefs of
these hill regions were taken advantage of by the British
in the early 19th century. With the defeat of the Jaintia
Chief, his land was made a British territory and his
people were forced to pay house taxes, resulting in
political & territorial separation from the rest of
the then Khasi States. On the other hand, the 25 Khasi
chiefs, although subdued remained more or less independent
through treaties and agreements known as Sanads. They
did not pay tax to the British , except the petty chiefs
who were British subjects , paying house taxes. The
region was brought under the direct occupation and sovereignty
of the British in the 1820s and was subsequently included
in the province of Assam. With India's independence,
a number of constitutional and political changes took
place in the region that ultimately led to the formation
of the seven states of northeast India.
Flora
& Fauna
In
Khasi Hills , there are more than 2,000 flowering plants
in a radius of ten miles from Cherrapunjee. There are
150 species of Ferns and a profusion of Mosses , Fungi
and Lichens. More than 250 species of Orchids , 25 species
of Balsams, 20 species of Palms and 150 species of Grass
are available .Wild species of apples and rhododendrons
abound in the higher parts of the central plateau. In
the upper hill regions from 1500 meters and above ,in
the central plateau of Khasi hills , coniferous vegetations
like pines ,Oaks and Ferns are found .This makes a distinct
and interesting natural vegetation belt. The dense jungles
in Meghalaya provide a natural habitat for various wildlife
- mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. Balpakram, in
the east Garo hills is the centre of wild elephants
population. The other wild animals found here include
: Tigers, Bisons, Hoolock Gibbons , Boars , Barking
Deer, Sambars, Leopards, Apes and monkeys. Among reptiles
many kinds of snakes , poisonous and non poisonous lizards
are found here. There are also a wide variety of birds
found in the higher altitudes here. A special mention
of the approximately 500 species of butterflies found
in Meghalaya .Some of them being very rare.
Faith
& Culture
There
are numerous number of myths and legends of Meghalaya,
transmitted orally, for want of any written script,
over the centuries from generations to generation. Among
the Khasis and the Jaintias, the story of the celestial
origin of their 'Hynniew Trep' runs like this: In the
good olden days there were sixteen families living in
heaven. They descended on earth as and when they liked
by climbing down the golden stairs on the peak of '
Sohpetbneng' (the navel of Heaven) a few kilometers
away from Umiam lake on way to Guwahati. It is said
that seven families lived on earth and God granted their
wish. The seven families known as 'Ki Hynniew Ha Tbian'
began to live on earth in the hills. God , however,
snapped the golden stairs and the seven families remained
permanently on earth . The Khasi pnars originated from
these 'seven families ' but even now they have not forgotten
the 'Nine families' living permanently in heaven.
The Khasis are matrilineal which means that their descendance
is along the line of the mother. A boy or girl born
of a Khasi mother, belongs to the family of the mother
.The property is inherited by the youngest daughter,
whereas in Garo society, the parents have option to
select any on of their daughters as the heiress. The
in Garo society, the parents have option to select any
one of their daughters as the heiress. The Khasi society
is divided into clans or "Kurs" which are actually outgrown
families. The Garo society is divided into three major
clans or :chachis" . Each of these Katchis or clans
are further sub divided into a number of lineages called
'Machongs'. These 'Machongs' are the basic unit in the
Garo social structure, and are named after animals,
rivers, caves etc. The dominant Machong in a village
selects its 'Nok-ma' or the headman.'Nok' in Garo means
house, while 'ma' stands for mother .Though the headman
is a male, they call him' Nok-ma'.This shows the importance
the Garo attaches to the woman. The khasis and Garos
now are mostly Christians.
Handicrafts:
The
Khasis seem to have possessed a fairly advanced material
culture since ancient times .They knew agriculture,
metal works, weaving and pottery. In some Jaintia and
Garo villages, engravings of the figures of men and
animals are found on the house walls .These are perhaps
in the memory of men already deceased. Weaving, basketry,
pottery, wood and stone carvings, metal works consisting
primarily of house-types were the ancient crafts of
the Meghalayans. The Garo-women are expert at weaving
.Dakmandes ,a kind of women's wear worn round the waist
is woven by the Garo women .In the old days Khasis had
a very big trade in quarrying ore and they had many
smelters all over the hills .The Larnai area in Jaintia
hills is known for its pottery works.
Fairs
and Festivals
Festivals
in Garo Hills:
Among the Garos the most important festival is the Wangala
or the hundred-drum festival held on Nov. to Dec. This
is a harvest festival in honour of Saljong, the Sun
god of fertility. The festival marks the end of the
period of toil in the fields, bringing a good yeild
of crops. Everybody - young and old joins in the festivites
.The men beat the drums and move forward in rhythmic
union Doregata Dance festival is another interesting
dance. In this dance, the women try to knock off the
turbans of their male partners using their heads. Another
dance that requires exquisite skill is the Chambil mesara
or pomelo dance. This is a solo dance form in which
the performer dangles a pomelo or any other fruit on
a cord tied to his waist and then whirls it round &
round.
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Festivals
in Khasi Hills
The
Khasis have two important festivals-Nongkrem Dance held
on October/November and Shad-Suk Mynsiem held on April.
Nongkrem Dance is held annually for five days together
. It is a religious festival for thanksgiving to God
Almighty for good harvest and to pray for peace and
prosperity to the community. It is celebrated in the
month of November .An important part of this festival
is 'Pomblang ' or decapitation of the toats offered
by the subjects to the Syiem of Khyrim.The Syiem is
the administrative head of the state. Offerings are
made to the ancestors and ancestress of the ruling clan.
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Festivals
in Jaintia Hills
Behdienkhlam is the most important dance festival of
the Jaintias .It is celebrated after the sowing period
is over. St Jowai town this festival can be seen being
celebrated in July .Young man make a symbolic driving
away of the evil spirits by beating the roofs of every
house with bamboo poles. The climax of the celebrations
is the tussle, as seen in a tug-of-war, for a large
undressed beam of two groups of people opposed to each
other. The Jaintias have also another Dance festival
for entertainment called the Laho dance where young
men and women dance to the merriment of the audience.
Places
of Tourist Interest
Shillong
Shillong
is the capital of Meghalaya.Its picturesque setting
and salubrious climate were considered suitable for
sanatoriums and holiday homes for British civilians
suffering from the sweltering heat of the plains. It
is described as 'Mini London'. There are many legends
surroundings the name Shillong .One says that it originated
from the name of a handsome youth called Shillong.
Ward's
Lake
This
artificial lake located in Shillong received its name
from Sir William Ward , Chief Commissioner of Assam
in 1893-94 because he took a personal interest in beautifying
it.
Lady Hydari
Park
Lady
Hydari Park was named after the wife of Sir Akhnari
Hydari, the first Indian Governor of Assam who assumed
charge on the eve of independence. It has a very attractive
garden and the best months to see the flowers in blooms
are April to October. Next to the park is mini Zoo,
where many species of birds and animals are kept.
Golf
Links
Shillong's
golf course is considered one of best in India. It is
situated in the center of the city close to the polo
ground. It was established in 1898 by a group of British
civil service officers .Golfers from all over the world
come here to test their skills.
Museum
of Entomology
This
place is a treasure house of various kinds of exquisite
Meghalayan butterflies and insects, some of which are
bred and reared by naturalists and then preserved. The
most beautiful and sought after Meghalayan butterfly
is Kaiser-I-hind
Waterfalls
In
and around Shillong there are numerous waterfalls, especially
during the monsoon when they run in milky white torrents
: Bishop Falls, Elephant Falls, Spread Eagle Falls,
Sweet Falls and Beadon Falls are best known. Bishop
or Suna pani falls are located west of Mawprem in Shillong
. They are 135 meters high and particularly impressive
in monsoon.
Shillong
Peak
Forested Shillong peak ,at 1,965 meters above sea level,
acts as a vast catchment area. A steep winding road
goes right to the top of the peak. On a clear day you
can see the Himalayan peaks and plains of Sylhet from
the Summit.
Excursions
Cherrapunjee
Cherrapunjee
has a rich historical heritage and was the first British
outpost in this part of the country .Sohra is the original
Khasi name for Cherrapunjee. It is 1300 meters above
sea level and 56 kms from Shillong. This place is one
of the rainiest rain-belt in the world. A pleasant drive
to see roaring water falls leaping into deep gorges,
including the famed Nohsngithiang falls. The lovely
town is also famous for its limestone caves and orange
honey. Centre of Hhasi culture and literature, it also
has the oldest Presbyterian Church and also an establishment
of the Ramakrishna Mission
Mawsynram
56
kms from Shillong and is known for the giant stalagmite
formation shaped into Shivalinga called locally as 'Mawjymbuin'
Jakrem
64kms
from Shillong, a popular health resort having hot-springs
of sulphur water, believed to have curative medicinal
properties.
Monoliths
in Khasi Hills
In the Khasi hills are a number of ancient monoliths
and table stones, which are either memorials where the
ashes of the dead are deposited in cairns or cenotaphs
commemorating memorable events . The upright stones
represent men generally and are of considerable size,
sometimes projecting 6 meters or more above ground.
Jowai
In Jaintia Hills
The
most important town in the Jaintia Hills district is
Jowai, 1380 meters above sea level , situated 64 kms
from Shillong. The annual festival of Behdeinkhlam is
celebrated in great style in Jowai. En-route from Shillong
to Jowai one passes grassy meadows, colourful graveyards,
rice terraces, woods of oak or whispering pine and the
meandering Myntdu River.
Nartiang
This
is located in the Jaintia hills about 65 kms from Shillong
and 24 kms from Jowai. There are clusters of monoliths
in Nartiang that are among the tallest anywhere in the
world.
Tura In
Garo Hills
This
district headquarters of the west Garo Hills is Tura,
which is situated 657 meters above sea level. Tura has
a picturesque landscape of hills overlooking the sweeping
curves of the mighty Brahmaputra river on the plains
below. The Tura peak is very close to town and it is
the ideal place for rock climbers, hikers and naturalists.
Wildlife
Sanctuaries and National Parks
The state has two National Parks - Nobrek and Balpakam,
and two wildlife sanctuaries - Nongkyllem and Siju.
Balpakram
National Park
Balpakram
is a fertile virgin land. The unsurveyed belts of limestone
and coal deposits, along with sea shells fossilized
into rocks in Balpakram hill provide immense scope for
geological and archeological studies. The Fauna of this
area includes elephants, wild buffaloes, gaur (Indian
bison) , sambar, barking deer, wild boar, slow loris,
capped langur as well as predators such as tigers, leopards,
clouded leopards and the rare golden cat.
Nokrek
Biosphere and Siju Caves
Nokrek
Biosphere Reserve is located in the Garo Hills district
2 kms from Tura Peak. The reserve is one of the least
disturbed forest tracts of the sub-Himalayan ranges
.It is the first biosphere reserve of its kind in the
northeast region. The Garo hills contain many natural
limestone caves. The famous Siju cave is located very
close to the Nophak Lake near the Simsang river game
reserve .The cave is filled with water and is miles
long.
Stay
Shillong
(Capital)
Government
tourist lodge
Circuit House
Hotel Centre Point
Hotel Pinewood
Hotel Alpine
Hotel Pegassis Crown.
How To Get
There?
By
Air :
Shillong the Capital city of Meghalaya is connected
by Helicopter Service from Guwahati. Or else one could
take the daily flights to Guwahati and then travel by
road - 100 kms (approx) .
By
Rail : Shillong
is connected by North Frontier & North Eastern Railway
via Guwahati .The nearest Rail head is Guwahati (127km).
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ARUNACHAL
PRADESH
Introduction:
Arunachalis
one of the most sparsely populated states of India ,
borders China, Bhutan and Myanmar. There are five major
rivers - Kameng, Subansiri, Siang (later the Brahmaputra
in Assam),Lohit and Tirap and the mountain ranges follow
the river systems .Home to a complex mix of communities
, its people are friendly,colourful and simple .Its
rich flora ranges from the alpine to the subtropical,
from rhododendrons to orchids . Its verdant forests,
turbulent streams , lofty mountains and snow clad peaks
make it a unique place.
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History
:
Arunachal
Pradesh finds mention in literature such as the Kalika
Purana and in the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.
It is believed that sage Vyasa meditated here and also
that the remains of the brick structure, scattered around
two villages in the hills north of Roing was the palace
of Rukmini, the consort of Lord Krishna. The sixth Dalai
Lama was born on the soil of Arunachal Pradesh . Arunachal
Pradesh became a full- fledged state on February 20,
1987 . Till 1972 , it was known as the North Eastern
Frontier Agency (NEFA). Administratively , the state
is divided into three districts . Capital of the state
is Itanagar in Papum Pare district. Itanagar is named
after Ita Fort meaning fort of bricks built in 14th
century A.D.
Flora
& Fauna
In Arunachals rich Flora orchids find a place of pride.
Out of about a thousand species of orchids in India,
over 500 are to be found in Arunachal alone . These
are colourful, spectacular and some bear exotic names
such as Sita-Pushpa and Draupadi-Pushpa which are believed
to have been worn by these Goddesses . Arunachal Pradesh
Forest Development Centre at Tippi in West Kameng district
for propagation and conservation of these species. In
addition to this Orchidorium at Tippi, two Orchid conservation
sanctuaries have been developed at Sessa and Dirang
in West Kameng district. The Wildlife of Arunachal Pradesh
is equally rich and varied. Elephants and Tigers abound,
especially in the grassy foothills and leopard and jungle
cat are quite common. The White browed gibbon is found
in Tirap and lohit districts and red pandas and musk
in the higher altitudes. The 'Mithun' exists both in
wild and semi-domesticated form. The animal has religious
significance and has intimate relation with socio cultural
life of the people. Four wildlife sanctuaries at Pankuli,
Loli, Itanagar and Namdapha had been set up in 1979,
covering an area of 3000 sq.kms
Faith
& Culture
There are 26 major tribes and a number of sub-tribes
inhabiting this area. Most of these communities are
ethnically similar having derived from the original
common stock but geographical isolation from each other
has brought amongst them certain distinctive characteristics
in language, dress and customs.
Broadly
the people have been divided into three cultural groups
on the basis of their socio-religious backgrounds. The
Monpas and Sherdukpens of Twang and West Kemeng districts
follow the lamastic tradition of Mahayana Buddhism.
Noted for their religious beliefs, the villages of these
communities have highly decorated 'Gompas'. Though largely
agriculturist, many of these people are also pastoral
and breed herds of Yak and mountain Sheep. Culturally
similar to the mare the membas and Khambas who live
in the high mountains along the northern borders, Khamptis
and Sigphos inhabiting the eastern part of the state
are Buddhists of Hinayana sect. They are said to have
migrated from Thailand and Burma long ago. The second
group of people are the Adis, Akas , Apatanis, Bungnis,
Nishis, Mishmis , Mijis, Thangsos etc. who worship the
Sun and Moon God. Their religious rituals largely coincide
with the phases of agricultural cycles. They invoke
nature deities and make animal sacrifices . Adis and
Apatanis extensively practice wet-rice cultivation and
have a considerable agricultural economy. Apatanis are
also famous for their paddy-cum-fish culture. They have
specialised over centuries in harvesting two crops of
fish along with each crop of paddy. The third group
comprises Noctes and Wanchos , adjoining Nagaland in
the Tirap district. These are hardy people known for
their structured village society in which the hereditary
village chief still plays a vital role. The Noctesalso
practise elementary form of Vaishnavis.
Handicrafts
:
The
people of Arunachal Pradesh have a tradition of artistic
craftsmanship and sense of aesthetics manifested through
a variety of crafts such as weaving, painting, pottery,
wood carving. Monpas are known for artistry in weaving
carpet and making painted wooden vessels. Beautiful
rugs are woven in the Adi Area. Vivid Colour and exquisite
patterns are the hallmark of their weaving. Apatanis
and Adis make attractive articles in Cane and bamboo.
The Wanchos are famous for their wood and bamboo carved
figurines. They also make intricate necklaces of colourful
beads.
Fairs
and Festivals :
Festivals
are an essential part of the socio-cultural life of
the people. The festivals have a connection with agriculture
and are celebrated with ritualistic gaiety either to
thank God for the providence or to pray for a bumper
harvest. Some of the important festivals are Mopin and
Solung of Adis , Lossar of Monpas, Sherdukpens and Boori-Boot
of the Hill Miris, Dree of Apatanis, Sidonyi of Taging,
Nyokum of Nishis, Reh of ldu Mishmis etc. Animal sacrifice
is a common ritual in all festivals. Dances are a vital
element in the zest and joy of living of the tribals
. They vary from highly stylish religious dance dramas
of the Buddhists to the martial steps and colourful
performances of the Noctes and Wanchos. The 'Ponung'
dance of Adis is performed by teams of young girls to
perfect rhythmic unison. Similar group dances are performed
by the Nishis and Tagins of Upper and Lower Sanansiri
Districts.
Places
of Tourist Interest
Itanagar
The
capital of Arunachal Pradesh, is a beautiful historic
city, also known as the "Land of the Dawnlit Mountains".
It is located to the east of Tawang and has been identified
with Mayapur, a city of the 14th or 15th century AD
The new township has modern buildings , bazaars and
traditional homesteads .
Tipi
On
the banks of the river Bharali at an elevation of 190
mtrs is Tipi, an orchidarium with over 7500 orchids.
On display are some of the finest species with names
like the Dainty Lady's Slipper or the more formal sounding
Dendrobium. Arunachal has the largest range of orchids
in the country.
Bomdila
The
journey onwards is most adventurous and perhaps the
most difficult as Bomdila, the headquarters of the West
Kampeng District is at a height of 2530 meters, offering
wonderfully panoramic views of Himalayan Landscapes
and snow clad ranges. There are apple orchards and Buddhist
monasteries for travellers are now entering an area
that has strong Tibetan and Buddhist influences over
the centuries
Tawang
A
10 km drive from Bomdila takes you to Tawang, a Buddhist
Pilgrimage site, where the Dalai Lama, the spiritual
leader of the Tibetans, goes to preach & pray. The most
striking building in this Buddhist village is the tall
central monastery, the Tawang Gompa. The 400 years old
monastery dominates the valley with grand view of the
Himalayas . Prayer flags flutter in the breeze and inside,
the monks - there are some 500 lamas - light lamps,
rush about their chores and drone in joint prayer. An
8 meter high guilded statue of Buddha is here.
Dirang
Situated
between Bomdila & Tawang this place is located in the
West Kameng District. There are apple orchards and sheep
breeding farms here. A few kilometers away from Dirang
are the famous hot springs where people go for a holy
dip to wash away sins and diseases.
Tezu
Headquartered
in Lohit district ,this place Tezu has the Parasuram
Kund where particularly during Winter a fair is held
during Makar-Sankranti. Pilgrims from all over the country
come here for holy dip in the kund . There is a large
lake called Glow Lake which can be reached by foot.
Stay
:
Bomdila
Tourist
Lodge Circuit House (PWD)
Inspection Bungalow (PWD)
Forest Inspection Bungalow
Hotel Mayur
Hotel Sweet
Hotel Chuki
Hotel Dawa
Hotel La
Hotel Sangrila
Hotel Dragon.
Tawang
Tourist
Lodge
Circuit House(PWD)
Inspection Bungalow
Hotel Shangrilla,
Hotel Nichu.
Naharlagun
Youth
Hostel
Hotel Hornbill
Hotel Simong
Hotel Laksmi
Hotel Kameng
How
To Get There?
Bomdila
Nearest
Airport
Tezpur
(190 kms ) with daily flights from Calcutta.
Nearest
railway station
Rangapara
(100kms), well connected by daily bus service from Tezpur.
Tawang
Nearest
Airport
Tezpur
(345 kms)
Nearest
Railhead
Rangapara (280kms)
Naharlagun
& Itanagar
Nearest
Airport Lilabari in Assam (56 kms from Naharlagun) (67
kms from Itanagar)
Naharlagun
is also connected by a helicopter service from Guwahati.
Nearest
railway station
Harmuti
(23 kms from Naharlagun) North Lakhimpur (60 kms from
Itanagar) in Assam.
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TRIPURA
Introduction
The
ancient land of Tripura located in the north eastern
region of India between 22.56 deg and 24.32 deg North
Latitude and 90.09 deg and 92.20 deg east Longitude
and is bounded on the north, west , south and south-east
by the international boundary of Bangladesh .In the
east it has a common boundary with Assam & Mizoram.60%
of the total area is under hills and forests. This tiny
state has an area of about 10,500 sq.kms. and is inhabited
by largely 19 tribes Bengali, Manipuri, and other communities. |
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History
The
ancient history of Tipperah or Tripura is shrouded with
mystery. We come to learn from Rajamal that more than
150 tribal kings ruled Tripura since the legendary period
and king Ratnapha got the title "Manikya" from the lord
of Gauda. But recent readings or Tripura coins have
proved that Ratna had his two predecessors Kmaha Manikya
and Dharma Manikya.vHence it is perhaps reasonable to
conclude that with Mahamanikya the historical period
of the "Manikya" Dynasty started which continued till
1949. The history of the rulers of Tripura in medieval
period is the story of the continual fights , particularly
with the sultans of Bengal.
During
the British period some English officials were eager
to occupy Tripura, but it was opposed by others..However
, the office of the British Political agent of Tripura
was created in 1871. After the death of Birbikam Kishore
Manikya on May 1947 , a council of regency under the
leadership of his widowed wife Maharani Kanchanprava
Devi took over the charge of the administration on behalf
of the minor prince.
The
regent's rule came to an end on September 1947, when
due to popular pressure the agreement of Merger of Tripura
with the Indian Union was signed by the Maharani on
15th October 1949.Finally Tripura became a full fledged
state on January 1972.
The
original inhabitants of the land, ,i.e. the hill people
were noted for their tolerance and passive obedience.
It is only in the 19th century that they started protesting
against the oppressive Feudal System.
Flora
& Fauna:
Sepahijala
Wild life sanctuary , is about 25 kms from Agartala
covering an area of about 18 sq kms .It houses about
150 species of birds and the unique spectacled monkey.
There is also a botanical garden ,zoo, lake and boating
facilities nearby. The Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary is
located about 100 kms away.
Faith
and Culture
There
are only four predominant communities in Tripura professing
different religious beliefs- Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists
and Christians. Most of the tribal people have their
own tribal customs and beliefs but in a broader sense
of the religion they are believed to be followers of
Hinduism. They worship elements such as the god of water,
the god of fire, the god of forests , the god of earth
etc. A trace of their old faith is found in their present
practice of striking a bamboo in the ground during religious
festivals and worshipping it. Sacrifices form an important
part of their religion; the buffaloes , pigs, goats
and fowls being the animals ordinarily used for this
purpose.
Most
of the modern members of the ruling family of Tripura
were great patrons of art and literature and had great
regard for eminent scholars of the country. Maharaja
Dharmamajikya is said to have inaugurated the rajmala,
a verse chronicle of the royal house . Tripura, a neighbouring
state, have had a spiritual contact with Bengal for
well over a few centuries and this contact became all
the more significant during the period due to Tagore's
continued association with the ruler and his benign
influence over them.
Teachers were brought from Mithila for the spread of
Music in the state. A flute made of Mulu bamboo of Tripura
was very famous. There are also their own improvised
musical instruments like Sarinda, Chougpreng and Samu
etc. made of bamboo and strings.
The
songs are mostly related to their days work and different
songs are sung on different occasions . Dancing in Tripura
has always been in complementary lines with music and
it has always been a very popular aspect of cultural
functions. The Garia dance is very popular among the
Tripuris.
Handicrafts:
Loin-loom, indeed is the oldest and most developed cottage
industry of Tripura. Among the traditional produces
mention may be made of dubris riha or risa; bed covers
, screens, asanas etc. Silk is another age old industry
of Tripura. Next to weaving, cane and bamboo works occupy
place of prominence. Bamboo is available in super abundance,
and this typical forest wealth of Tripura is one material
that is used in many ways from building homes to making
toys. Many artistic things are made of bamboo or its
roots for example toy , tray, vase, photo-frame, human
figure, casket, calendar, pen stand etc.
Fairs
and Festivals
Of the many festivals which are celebrated in Tripura,
the worship of fourteen gods popularly known as "Kharchi
puja" occupies a place of pride. This is celebrated
with great enthusiasm in the month of July every year.
The first day of this week long festival is declared
a holiday by the Government .Ker and Garia puja these
two traditional tribal festivals , need special mention.
Ker puja starts generally fifteen days after Kharchi
puja.It is said that this puja is performed for the
welfare of the state and its people. The puja is performed
within a specific boundary during the puja nobody is
allowed to enter of come out of this specified boundary.
The garia puja is performed on the seventh day of the
month of Baisakh (April). When the puja is over , the
devotees , men and women take to dancing. Another remarkable
tribal festival is Ganga puja. This puja is held in
March -April . About 4 to 5 villages join together to
perform this puja. To perform the puja they build a
temple of bamboo just on the middle of the river. They
sacrifice goats, buffaloes and ganders and pray to god
to save them from epidemic disease. Durga puja in the
month of October is one of the most popular festivals
of Tripura. Next comes Diwali, on the occasion of which
each year a big fair is held near Matabari in the temple
of Tripura Sundari at Udaipur. Thousands of pilgrims
assemble here to offer prayers to the images of Goddesses
engraved on the hilly rocks which are found here.
Places
of Tourist Interest
Agartala:
The
state capital is connected by road with Guwahati via
Shillong by National highway no 44. It takes about 24
hours by road from Guwahati to reach Agartala. There
are flight connections as well, with Calcutta and Guwahati.
Ujjayanta
Palace
This
is a modern building of the royal house of Tripura and
is located in the heart of Agartala, sprawling over
a half sq.kms. This two storeyed mansion has a mixed
architecture with three high domes .The magnificent
titles floor, curved wooden ceiling and beautifully
crafted doors are particularly notable. The palace was
built by Radha Kishore Manikya in 1901. Its well laid
out gardens have two large tanks on either side and
the fountains are laid out in the patterns of the Mughal
Gardens . Kunjaban Palace situated 1 km ahead on a hillock,
was constructed in 1917 and named as Pushbanta Palace
by the than ruler, Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya.
It is said that the known poet Rabindra Nath Tagore
stayed in the eastern apartment of the palace. The southern
side is now open to the public and is known as Rabindra
Kanan, While the rest of the palace is now the official
residence of the Governor of the state.
Neermahal
A
summer resort built in 1930 by the late Maharaj Birbikram
Kishore Manikya Bahadur, is about 55 kms away from Agartala.
It is built in the middle of a lake called Rudrasagar
with a total area of about 5.35 kms . A perfect blend
of Hindu and Mughal architecture it is the only lake
palace in Eastern India. Half of the palace is an open
air theatre and the other half on the western side is
called the Andar Mahal, used by the Royalty.
Excursions
Unakoti
The
rock-cuts and stone carvings of Tripura are huge and
have been carved on open vertical walls at Unakoti,
Debtamura and Pilak. Unakoti is about 178 kms from Agartala.
The name Unakoti means one less than a crore and legend.
It is a Shiva pilgrimage site dating back to the 8th
or 9th century .The central Shiva carving known as the
Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava is about 30 feet high, its
head dress is 10 feet in height. Every year a big festival
known as Ashokastami Mela is held here in the month
of April.
Debtamura
This is 75 kms from Agartala and is situated on the
banks of the river Gomati between Udaipur and Amanpur.
The rocks on the banks of the river are also called
Chabimura and are images of Shiva, Vishnu, Kartik, Mahisasur,
Mardini Durga and other deities. The images date back
to the 15th and 16th century
Pilak
The
stone carvings found here are mostly in stone and terracotta
plaques. This is located about 100 kms away from Agartala.
Mata Tripureshwari
Temple
Located
at Udaipur about 58 kms away from Agartala and 3 kms
from Udaipur, is considered one among the 51 pithasthans
of India according to Hindu Mythology .It is also known
as Kurma Pith because of the shape of the temple resembling
the tortoise . The idol of Maa Kali is made of Reddish
Black stone and is in the soroshi form.
The
Fourteen Goddess Temple:
Is situated about 14 kms from Agartala at a place known
as the old Agartala .The famous Kharchi festival is
celebrated here during the month of July each year.
Bhuvaneshwari
Temple
On
the right banks of the Gomati River , was built by Maharaja
Govinda Manikya, during 1660-75.It finds its reference
in Rabindra Nath Tagore's poetry and drama.
Jampui
hills
The luxuriant forests of 'Jampui Hill' , the premier
one among the 6 principal hill ranges of Tripura provides
a life time's exhilarating experience for the tourist.
'Jampui Hill'- the permanent seat of spring, is situated
at an altitude of about 3000 above sea level and about
250km away from Agartala .This hill range consists of
cluster of tribal villagers and is home for colourful
Lushai and reang tribal communities .The neat and clean
traditional wooden houses of the local inhabitants combined
with greenery all around provide excellent opportunities
for eco-friendly tourism. During the month of November
every year, the unique orange festival is celebrated
in the Jampui Hill.
STAY
Government
tourist lodges
Circuit Houses and many private hotels.
How
To Get There?
By
Air
Agartala,
the capital city of Tripura is connected by regular
flights from Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati
By Rail
Agartala
is connected by North forntier Railway via Guwahati.
The nearest Rail head is Kumarghat 140 km away from
Agartala.
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NAGALAND
Introduction
:
The
state of Nagaland ,covering an area of 16488 sq.km is
encircled by Assam in the north and west , by Burma
and Arunachal Pradesh in the east, and Manipur in the
South. The state is predominantly dominated by Naga
communities and hence it forms a single cultural region
generally definable by common cultural and linguistic
traditions . This state was carved out of the territories
that were earlier known as Naga Hills - Tuesnsang Area
(NHTA), though the state of Nagaland Act , 1962 . It
was inaugurated on 1st December, 1963 by the then president
of India , Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. The state lies between
2506 deg and 2704 deg of the equator and between the
longitudinal lines 93015deg E. The Barail range extending
from the south-west via North Cachar runs up to Kohima,
with its highest Peak, Japvo, attaining a height of
3048 meters. |
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Climate
The
beginning of winter is marked buy a steep fall (almost
5 degree centigrade) in temperature during December.
January is the coldest month. In February the temperature
starts rising gradually. The monsoon lasts for five
months from May to September with June , July and May
being the wettest months. The annual rainfall varies
from 100 cm to over 300 cm.
History
The
earliest records throwing light on the politico-economic
linkages of the Nagas with others are the Buranjis,
the chronicles of the Ahoms of Assam. The early Buranjis
describe that the Ahom Sukhapa encountered the Nagas
of the Patkoi as early as the twelfth century . It is
said that Sukhapa, an adventurer who left Maulung in
1215 AD heading a force of eight hundred armed soldiers
with 300 horses and two elephants, entered Naga territory
enroute to Assam Valley. The subsequent rise and fall
of his kingdom ushered in a chequered history of hostility
and friendship with the Nagas . The Naga areas in 1852
were constituted into a sub-division under the Nowgong
district ,with Asaloo as its headquarters . The Manipuri
interests, the threatening postures of the Burmese's
and the belligerent attitude of the Nagas had forced
the British to shift their headquarters to Samaguting
, ten miles inside the Angami territory. .In 1869 Captain
Butler , the Political Agent of Naga Hills was given
orders to initiate a process of consolidation of the
colonial rule in Naga Hills by interfering in inter-tribal
disputes . The Naga district in 1874 was brought under
the Chief Commissioner of Assam. The beginning of the
effective administration of the Naga hills started when
Kohima was established as the headquarters in 1878.
Flora
& Fauna
The
variations in the altitude, climate and soil have given
rise to a diversity of forest types , ranging from tropical
evergreen to temperate evergreen and the coniferous.
Bamboo groves are extensive everywhere. Among the common
species mention may be made of the Naga Bhe and plants
such as Mesuaferrea, Careyaarbotrea and Fiscus electica.
On the hill slopes are found oak, chestnut, birch, magnolia,
cherry, maple, laurel and fig. Pine tress are found
at high altitude areas varying from 3000 to 4000 ft.
Wild vegetables, roots, fruits and tubers are found
in abundance throughout Nagaland.
Nagaland
constitutes a meeting ground for the sub-himalayan,
Indian, Chinese and Burmese type of Fauna . Elephant,
tiger, barking deer and sambar are found in different
places through the state. The monkey, jackal, wild buffalo,
wild pig, bear and wild dog are sparsely distributed
through the Naga hills . Among the ritually most valued
species is mithun. Other species common are lizards,
toads, monitors.
Faith
& Culture
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