25 Reasons You Should Visit Northeast India At Least Once In Your Lifetime

For folks out there who have new travel goals, thanks to Kalki Koechlin and her dad, you’re about to turn over a page of the metaphorical book.

Let’s start out with the basics here. Study the Indian map, that bottle neck leading from West Bengal you see, beyond that lies the land of the ‘Seven Sisters’. With a diversity of culture, language, scenic beauty and a bold history of its own, the land stands barely touched and acknowledged for its gifts.

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page – St. Agustine.

So embark this journey with us, as we take you through 25 amazing reasons why you should visit Northeast India once in your lifetime:

1. Kamakhya Temple – One of the oldest Shakti Pith

One cannot miss visiting the shrine of Goddess Shakti when in Assam. The temple housed among the terrain of Nilachal Parbat, has all the right vibes to get you set for the amazing ride ahead. Best time to visit being during the Ambabuchi Mela and Durga Puja, making through the rush is totally worth it.

2. Kaziranga National Park

Spread across 430 square kilometres, the World Heritage Site houses a wide array of wildlife including the endangered beauty that is the one-horned rhinoceros.

3. Largest and smallest river islands

On the Mighty Brahmaputra River’s course to the Bay of Bengal, dwells the largest and the smallest river islands of the world. Majuli being the former is inhabited by the disciples of the Vaishnavite Satras. Whereas Umananda Island is the smallest river island, gives a peek to the mystical myths of the Hindu religion.

4. Tea gardens

The country sides are beautifully adorned by series of tea gardens. Some big, some small, but all an ode to the climate and nature.

5. Sivasagar Assam

A must go place for all the travelers who are history lovers. An important location where you see the Ahom Dynasty unfolding itself with every site even after centuries of their reign.

6. Tawang Monastery –  Largest monastery in India

In the “Land of the Rising Sun”, i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, stands tall the largest monastery in India that also happens to be the second largest in the world. Named as Galden Namgey Lhatse, meaning “celestial paradise in a clear night” is a 282m long wonder. The celebration of the Tibetan New Year, a three day long festive, is a sight for the sore eyes.

7. Sela Pass

The connecting pathway between Tawang and the rest of India has little to offer for your settling down desires, but god do you hate that fact. The history though tragic, leaves a sweet taste of patriotism behind for you to cherish. A few miles down is the Sela Lake also conveniently called the Paradise Lake on its own right.

8. Shungatser Lake alias Madhuri Lake, Arunachal Pradesh

The beautiful result of a tragic natural disaster. An earthquake more than half a decade ago left back what is now a beautiful tourist spot. The lake is also known as Madhuri Lake after the dhak-dhak girl graced her presence for the 1997 thriller Koyla.

9. Ziro Music Festival

Music has always been a part of the North eastern culture, more so now than ever before. Classical, hard rock, indie, you name it and it’s there. One of its side effects, the good kind, is the Ziro Music festival. Founded in 2012, it not only gives you a dose of western genres of music practiced there, but you get an eye full of the beautiful that is Ziro and also, camping!

10. River Rafting in Arunachal

You just can’t miss the experience of river rafting when in Arunachal Pradesh! Subansiri, Dibang and the entirety of the Siang course are the most popular sites.

11. Loktak Lake – The only floating park in the world

Gracing the land of Manipur is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India with the abundance of phumdis. It comprises of the only floating national park to have ever existed and currently the only asylum for the endangered brown antlered deer or Sangai, the state animal.

12. Raas Leela in Manipur

An exquisite depiction of the lovelorn story of Radha and Krishna, displayed tactfully for the audience. One of the many pleasures of being in Manipur is witnessing the Raas Leela or any other theatre art for that matter.

13. War Cemetery in Kohima

With war comes the great pain of death, a reality inescapable. The memorials commemorating the war against Japan and our bitter sweet victory marks its own importance in our travel guide.

14. Hornbill Festival – Festival of Festivals

The most tourist beckoning event of Nagaland, is a week long celebration of the land’s culture and heritage. The festival brings together all the 16 different tribes residing the state and puts into display every part of its heritage. A mug of its finest rice beer, lodging in Naga huts, a night bazaar of collectibles and the tummy pleasing food- that’s sounds about right! If you want to witness this, visit Nagaland in the first week of December.

15. Khonoma Green Village

As the name suggests, it’s a stretch of land without the painful reality of deforestation and wildlife hunting. It’s one of its kind, being the first green village in India. It is one of the many eye pleasing villages scattered over the state.

16. Unnakoti Hills Tripura

Located in Tripura, the ancient engravings of religious idols are the main attraction of this site. The complimenting mountains and waterfalls are just another bonus for the travel.

17. Ujjayanta Palace – Former royal palace of Tripura

Named by the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the former royal residence turned museum stands tall in all its pristine snow white glory.

18. Umiam Lake Shillong

Entering Meghalaya, scenic beauty aside, it is one of the best locations for adventure sports, so let that adventurer in you fly!

19. Mawlynnong – Cleanest Village in Asia

Living double decker and single decker root bridges, a feature it shares with Cherrapunjee. Shall more not be said.

20. Waterfalls and caves

Elephanta Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Seven Sister Falls, Mawswai Cave to name among many. The best part? You won’t get tired of them because each place unfolds a different sort of beauty, a sight that is followed by a long sigh of serenity!

21. Mawsynram – Wettest place on Earth

Being named as the wettest place in the world must have its own charm. The beauty and atmosphere does justice to every bit of that reputation.

22. Dawki – The border between India and Bangladesh

It comprises of the Umngot River bordering Bangladesh with water so clear, it feels like you’re floating in the air when on a boat. Now that’s a dream isn’t it? It also has the Dawki Bridge, a suspension bridge left behind by the British.

23. Reiek Tlang and its Anthurium Festival

Situated in another land where Mother Nature graces its beautiful presence, Mizoram, Reiek Tlang is a range of hills which on a day the sun adorns the sky, gives you a subtle peek of Bangladesh.

24. Lushai Hills – The Blue Mountain

Its highest peak (at 2,157m) is Phawngpui or the Blue Mountain. The mountain is surrounded by a semi-circular chain of cliffs on the western side known as the Thlazuang Kham and with those sharp, deep drops from the cliffs come the stories of paranormal activities. So do go at night. NOT.

25. Champhai – The emerald border town of Mizoram

The history of Mizo starts from Champhai and ends in Champhai. That being said, it’s not all. Orchids, butterflies, vineyards and abundance of rice fields, hence the name Rice Bowl of Mizoram, are a boon to the valley.

So pack your bags, because…
“Don’t listen to what they say. Go see!”