Entry formalities for domestic tourists

Inner Line Pass is required for entry into Mizoram and can be obtained from Liaison Officer, Government of Mizoram from the following cities- Kolkata, Silchar, Shillong, Guwahati and New Delhi. Government employees travelling for official purposes are exempted from obtaining ILP but are required to carry a photo identification card with them at all times. Tourists arriving by air can obtain passes from the Security Officer on arrival at Lengpui airport,aizawl. Two types of ILP can be issued : 1. Temporary : 15 days at a time which can be renewed once for another 15 days. Fees to be paid : Rs.20 Application Form Rs.100 Processing Fee Rs.20 Renewal Fee Requirements : 4 passport size photo and a photo ID (Driving LIcense/Voter ID/Department ID) 2. Regular : 6 months at a time which can be renewed twice for another 6 months each. However, sponsorship from a local resident or a Government Department is required. Fees to be paid : Rs.20 Application Form Rs.200 Processing Fee Rs.100 Renewal Fee Requirements : 4 passport size photo and a photo ID 2 passport size photo of the sponsor Renewal for both Temporary and Regular ILP can be done at District Commissioner’s Office located at Treasury Square, Aizawl For tourists originating from Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj Districts of Assam State, Electoral Roll details are required due to porous international boundary with Bangladesh and so is the case with persons coming from the state of Tripura. Tourists entering from Bairabi and Vairengte can obtain ILP from Sub-Deputy Commissioner Bairabi and Sub-Divisional Officer Vairengte respectively. ILP cannot be issued at Check gates upon entering the State.

Mizoram - the land & its people

Mizoram is a mountainous state nestling in the southern tip of the north-eastern region of India, sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Tropic of Cancer runs through the heart of the state. Mizoram has a pleasant climate throughout the year, and is a land of great natural beauty having rich variety of flora and fauna. The scenic landscapes of bluish hills and mountains, steep rocky cliffs, serene lakes and deep valleys of gurgling rivers with its spectacular waterfalls makes the state an ideal destination for nature lovers. The fantastic array of wildlife especially the bird is an added attraction. To the more adventurous spirit, the rugged terrains and swift flowing rivers are ideal for various outdoor sports and adventure activities. Mizoram is the land of the Mizos or the Highlanders who belong to the Mongoloid race. The Mizos are divided into several sub-tribes, viz. Luseis, Lais, Maras, Kukis etc. , each of which have their own customs, social practices and dialects enriching the tribal cultural heritage of the state. Though animism was the traditional religion of the Mizos, most of them have now embraced Christianity which the Christian missionaries have propagated to them along with formal education which eventually resulted in the Mizos becoming one of the most literate communities in the country. Though mostly Christians and greatly influenced by the Western lifestyle, the Mizos cling to their rich cultural heritage, colourful customs and lively traditions. The festivals and dances of the Mizos have a unique tribal flavour. Other than Christmas and New Year's Day which are the most popular festivals, Chapchar Kut, a festival marking the end of the laborious clearing of jungles for the year's cultivation during the first week of March, is another occassion celebrated with much gusto. The most popular dances of Mizoram are Cheraw (Bamboo Dance), Khual Lam (Dance for Guests) and Chheih Lam (Dance of Joy). Agriculture is the main occupation of the Mizos who practice jhum or shifting cultivation. The government has now introduced new and modernized systems of cultivation with the intention of weaning the people over to permanent cultivation. Mizoram is famous for its production of fibreless ginger which thrives well in the state. Paddy, maize, mustard, sugarcane, sesame, potatoes and grapes are the main crops produced in the state.

HI Viewers..!!

I am back again after a brief recess. My next attempt would be to highlight another north eastern state of the Indian sub-continent, namely, Mizoram, often called the state of the "blue mountains". Hope you all enjoy the posts that follow!!

Scenic beauties!!

/>Meghalaya beckons the nature lover, to come, rest, explore, take in the sights and sounds, rejuvinate and carry on the journey with vivid memories forever etched on the mind!!

Festivals of Meghalaya

The main ethnic communities of this state are the Khasis(of Mon-Khmer ancestry), the Jaintias(said to be from South East Asia) and the Garos(of Tibeto-Burman origin).Each of these communities have their very distinctive customs and cultural traditions.But the one thread that binds these communities very strongly is the Matrilineal system, in which, the family lineage is taken from the mother's side! Khasi Festival: -In every religious ritual of Khasi tribe, the grand finale is the performance of a dance, a Thanks Giving Dance called 'Shad Phur', which is now called "Shad Suk Mynsiem." The religious rituals or ceremonies might concern certain families, clans, villages, raijs, or the state (Hima). The Shad Suk Mynsiem reflects the matrilineal and patrilineal aspect of the Khasi society. The man with whips and swords circles the virgins, as protectors of the honors of womanhood having a single strength and resource while the men have in them twelve strength and resource. Shad Suk Mynsiem is celebrated in the month of April at the Weiking grounds near Shillong and at other places in Meghalaya. Nongkrem Dance Nongkrem DanceTo the first time visitor the experience of driving through undulating hills and narrow roads to Smit, where the famous Nongkrem Dance is held at the courtyard of the Syiem of Hima Khyriem (chief of Khyriem), is thrilling and full of fun. For the "serious traveler" and students of culture and history there is a lot to learn and store from this dance of the Khasi tribe which is held every year at Smit which is 15 Kilometers from Shillong. It is one of the most important festivals of the Khasi tribe and is celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Hundreds of travelers from different parts of this country and from abroad come to witness the festival as is performed in the traditional style by the Syiem, the head of the Khasi state, and Ka Syiem Sad, the Syiem priestess, who is considered the caretaker of all religious ceremonies, the ministers and the common people. The fourth day of the festival is when most visitors throng to the courtyard to witness the dance performed by ladies and men decked in some of the most exquisite traditional attires. Young virgin girls wear expensive silk and gold ornaments dance the Ka Shad Kynthei in the inner circle of the arena, while men dressed in dhoti, full-sleeved shirt, sleeveless coat and a turban with sword in their right hand perform the Ka Shad Mastieh in the outer circle. Jaintia Festival: -One of Meghalaya's most colourful religious festivals, Behdeinkhlam, is celebrated for three days during July at Jowai. The word literally means 'driving away of evil (plague) by wooden sticks'. This Festival is connected with a series of religious rites. People dance on the street to the accompaniment of drum beating and pipe playing. The women do not participate in the dancing but have an important role to play at home by offering sacrificial food to the spirits of the ancestors. Each locality prepares a decorative tower-like structure called a rath. These are carried by 30 to 40 strong people to a small lake at Aitnar for immersion. The festival climaxes when the khnong (the most sacred tree) is brought to the centre of each locality. In the afternoon datlawakor is played between two teams from the upper and lower valleys of the Myntdu River. It is a kind of soccer with a wooden ball. Those who win are believed to be blessed with a good harvest. Laho Dance The Jaintia People have another dance festival for entertainment. It is called the Laho dance. Members of both the sexes participate in this dance festival, attired in their best finery, usually two young men on either side of a girl, linking arms together, dance in step. In place of the usual drums and pipe, there is a cheer leader, usually a man gifted with the talent of spontaneous recitation. He recites ribald couplets to the merriment of the audience. Chad Sukra Chad SukraThe annual Chad Sukra (sowing festival) is celebrated during the middle of April or early May every year by the Pnar people. Pnar people believe that a farmer could start sowing the seeds on his land only after the festival is over. The festival is observe to invoke God, the Creator, to protect their crops from all forms of natural calamities besides ushering in peace and harmony among the people. Garo Festival: -The Wangala is a Garo post-harvest festival that marks the end of the agricultural year. It is an act of thanksgiving to the sun god of fertility, known as Misi-A-Gilpa-Saljong-Galapa. A nagara (a special drum used for calling the people on solemn occasions) is beaten. The social aspect of the Wangala Festival goes on in the villages for a number of days, with eating, drinking and merrymaking. This is the most popular festival of the Garo Hills, and is held in November, the precise date being fixed by the headman. The men and women dance in mirthful gaiety with the beating of drums, blowing of the buffalo horn trumpets and bamboo flutes. The men wear dhotis, half-jackets and turbans with feathers. The women wear colourful dresses made of silk, blouses and a head-wrap with feathers. The highlight of the festival is when 300 dancers and 100 drums descend on the field in all their splendour in celebration.

Eco Destinations: -

Meghalaya abounds in natural beauty, having a wide range of eco destinations for the avid nature lover! More importantly, these natural spots beauty have been preserved both by traditional and government sanctions.It is simply breath taking. Listed below are some the places which is a must see!!

Mawphlang Sacred Forest Location: East Khasi Hills District One of the most remarkable features of the Khasi Hills are the sacred forests, which have been preserved by traditional religious sanction, since the ancient days. One of the most famous sacred forests is the Mawphlang Sacred Forest, about 25 kilometres from Shillong. The sacred grove has an amazing life form of plants, flowering trees, orchids and butterflies. An ideal destination for nature lovers. The sacred-groves which have been preserved since time immemorial, are in sharp contrast to their surrounding grasslands. These groves are generally rimmed by a dense growth of Castanopsis kurzii trees, forming a protective hedge which halts intrusion of Pinus kasia (Khasi pine) which dominates all areas outside the sacred groves. Inside the outer rim, the sacred groves are virtually Nature's Own Museum. The heavily covered grounds have a thick cushion of humus accumulated over the centuries. The trees in every sacred groveare heavily loaded with epiphytic growth of aroids, pipers, ferns, fern-allies and orchids. The humus-covered grounds likewise harbour myriad varieties of plant life, many of which are found nowhere else.

Jakrem Hot Spring Location: West Khasi Hills District Jakrem located about 64 km from Shillong on the Shillong-Mawkyrwat road, is famous for its hot water springs of sulphur water which is believed to have curative medicinal properties. Jakrem has now developed as a potential health resort. People from all parts of the region throng here to take a dip in the hot spring. Bathing compartments are available around the spring for the use of the public. It is also a favourite picnic spot during winter.

Mawlynnong Village Location: East Khasi Hills District Mawlynnong Village has earned the distinction of being the cleanest village in India. It is situated 90 kms. from Shillong and besides the picturesque village, offers many interesting sights such as the living root bridge and another strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock. Mawlynnong nestled in the pristine hill state of Meghalaya, is along the Indo-Bangla border. This cute and colourful little village is known for its cleanliness. The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. They mostly grow betel nut. About 82 households live in Mawlynnong. Keeping the surrounding environment clean is an age old tradition. Discover India magazine declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003. A dustbin made out of bamboo is found all along the village. Every one makes it a point that dirt and waste are not thrown everywhere. All the waste from the dustbin is collected and kept in a pit, which the villagers use as manure. The villagers are now on a mission to ban plastic. The village with cent per cent literacy is conscious and they are spreading the message of conservation and protection of the forest. Locals plant trees to ensure that the virgin forest is kept intact and also replenished. Mawlynnong’s fame is now drawing an endless stream of guests from across the country and abroad. Although residential facilities are still scarce and are in the process of being developed, the existing one constructed from bamboo and thatch is quite hospitable and restful. Mawlynnong is an artist’s delight and the sort of getaway that would titillate creative writers and poets.

Hotels in Shillong: -

There is no dirth of good, comfortable accomodations in Shillong. Ranging from top end hotels to budget hostels. Listed are some of the accomodations available: - Hotel Pine Wood, Hotel Orchid, Royal Heritage-Tripura Castle, Hotel Polo Towers, Hotel Alpine Continental, Hotel Pegasus Crown, Hotel Centre Point, Shillong Club etc.One can contact the tourism department for more on this.