Watching various hindi movies from my childhood days, earlier, I was in awe of the exotic places they showed in those famous bollywood songs ( esp Yash chopra movies ) - Switzerland, Paris, Italy etc etc and my only aim in life was to visit them someday. However, although that dream still exists, due to various human made complications like borders, visas, costs etc..I started to look inwards - inside my own country. I went in all directions of our vast nation and saw that India had it all within it - the warm beaches and seas, the snow capped peaks and green rolling hills, the dense evergreen forests, the mesmerisng lakes ( both natural as well as man-made ), the various jawdropping landscapes, the ancient history, the rich culture and traditions, the colourful festivals, the gorgeous palaces, the mammoth archeological ruins, varied cuisines, the crafts and artefacts etc. India held many little countries ( the states are no less than individual countries ) within. And, I loved exploriing. When I looked much closer home - 'northeast' where I come from, I discovered an entire universe, no less. This region is less travelled and less explored, but, they have unique beauty that can challenge all other common attractions that tourists regularly throng elsewhere. Here's a compilation of three top-most ( oh there are so many more ) attractions from each of the seven north-eastern states that are a must visit to experience the rich cultural diversity in the lap of mother nature. Every state has so much to offer so it was very difficult to pick only three each! Some of the NE states require an ILP to enter even for Indians. Do check before planning a trip!
majuli
jatinga, haflong
dhola sadiya
Being my home state, I have visited many sites in Assam; but more I explore...there's yet more waiting around the corner. My top picks from Assam are Majuli which is the largest inhabitated river island in the world. Along with dramatic visuals, the island offers glimpse into the unique 'Satra' culture of the locals which is a delight for visitors. Haflong in Dima Haso follows next, with its natural beauty along with a unique phenomenon that occurs in Jatinga, 5.2kms away. Apart from its beauty lies therein the unsolved puzzle during sept-oct in evenings when birds commit suicide enmass. Dhola Sadia running 9.15km is the 2nd longest bridge over water and a must visit just to take that ride and admire the beautiful surroundings at one of eastern most corners of the country where sun rises earliest. Other things to see are ancient Ahom Relics/Ruins ( mostly in upper assam ), Kamakhya and other ancient temples, Umananda, Hajo, Tea Gardens and natural parks like Kaziranga/Pobitora/Nameri/Manas/Dibru, Bogamati, Basistha Ashram etc.
sela pass
jung falls
dirang valley
Arunachal is love and although it requires to take a ILP to visit the state, once in, you enter a rustic green paradise. I've been to the state and my picks ( from many ) would be Sela Pass - the story is equally fascinating as the pass which transforms itself as the climate changes. Although a tunnel now runs underneath, I'd rather not miss nature and prefer the original path. Jung Falls and Dirang are not far from each other. Lets say..sela pass falls between the other two. Dirang is a beautiful valley; and Jung, a gorgeous waterfall. Other things to see are the unexplored and almost 'virgin' eastern most parts of the state where the sun rises earliest, Sangestar Tso or Madhuri Lake, PT Tso Lake, Bumla Pass, the various Hot Springs, Tawang, Monasteries etc.
lohtak lake
ima market
kangla fort
Unlike most of the other NE states, Manipur was until not long ago primarily a hindu state, inspite of tibeto-burman roots and Sanamahism being their original faith. My instant picks from Manipur are the Lohtak Lake which is famous for its unique floating rings ( phumdis ) with vegetation growths. Ima Market is not an ordinary market..it is a market solely run by women and all traders are women. Men are not allowed to sell or trade here. Set in beautiful surroundings, Kangla Fort is an important historcal place. Other things to see are the natural parks, temples, Andro Gramshang Museum having rare original art collections, Tharon & Khangkhui Lime Cave etc
living roots bridge
seven sister falls
laitlum canyon
Another state I've loved visiting over and over is Meghalaya. It doesn't require ILP like few others, so, visiting is no hassle. Its a safe and very pretty state known for its matrilineal society. Of many, my picks are the Living Roots Bridge which has become popular of late. The Seven Sister Falls will mesmerize, although, meghalaya has plenty of other equally if not more beautiful water falls scattered, as it is the place with maximum rainfalls ( Cherrapunji/Mawsynram ). The Laitlum Canyon will also leave one awestruck with the sheer beauty of those plunging green depths. Other things to see are the longest cave systems in the world the Mawsmai Cave; Mawlynnong, asias most cleanest village, Mawphlang Forest, Dawki, Jowai, beautiful Churches and more.
vantawng falls
reiek village
champhai
Less explored Mijoram is a very pretty place. From the various natural, cultural and archeological offerings my picks would be the famous Vantawng Falls amongst many other water falls like Tuirihiau etc, Reiek heritage Village follows next where pristine beauty meets cultural riches, with the breathtaking Champhai town and its must visit outskirts. Other things to see are the Phulpui Grave having a story similar to the taj mahal, Durtlang Hills, Solomon's Temple, Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary, Phawngpui Peak, Pukzing Cave & Lamsial Puk and more.
dzukou valley
shilloi lake
tuophema village
When we think Nagaland, Dzukou Valley instantly pops in mind. With internet, the 'dzukou' craze has been ever growing and how. Accessible even from Manipur, every adventurer, trekker and explorer has dzukou on their bucket, so, my top pick is naturally 'dzukou'. Shiloi Lake is a beauty, one mustn't miss as well as a visit to Tuophema Village. Nagaland has more heritage villages to explore like the Kisama, Khonoma, Dzuleke showcasing their different tribal culture and heritage. Mount Saramati, Japfu Peak, Pulie Badze, Triple Falls and Naga Bazar etc are a must visit.
neermahal
unakoti
tripura sundari
Tripura is located in the most remotest isolated corner of India, but, it has quite a rich history and culture of its own. The famous NeerMahal is my top pick which is a lake palace of the royalty and the largest of its kind. The ancient rock carvings esp of Shiva in Unnakoti Hill ( and of Durga in Devtamura ) is my second pick followed by the Tripura Sundari Temple which incidently is regarded as a 'shaktipeeth' and has the divine feminie presence till date ( as per beliefs ). There are many other temples like Jagannath Temple, Kamaleswari Temple etc, Ujjayanta Palace ( another display of modern royalty , Jampui Hill, Dumboor Lake and many more attractions.
gurudongar lake
kanchenjunga peak
lachung
Sikkim is not part of the seven sister states, but, since its in the northeast and has similar characteristics I included it too. It has a plethra of attractions and is a delight for explorers. My top picks are the famous Gurudongar Lake in Lachen, which is one of highest lakes and consdered 'holy'. The view of Kangchenjunga ( 3rd highest peak ) is a must which is prominently visible in Sikkim. Lachung town is my third pick for a quick peek into sikkimese life with added attractions around it like buddhist monasteries, apple orchards and the famous Zero Point in Yumthang Valley, Nathula Pass, buddha park or Tathagata Tsal, Rumtek Monastery, Rabdentse Ruins, Tsomgo Lake, Hanuman Tok etc along with yak races and hot springs are other attractions.
So, which of these seven-sister states caught your fancy? Aren't they all pretty? I think they are all awesome and at par with the more popular destinations famous globally.
Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - Google. )
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