Mizoram Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Mizoram is a state in the hilly regions of northeast India. It shares its borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, Tripura, Assam and Manipur. Mizoram became a state in 1987, before which it was a union territory. The word Mizo means highlander and Mizoram means the Land of Mizos.

The average altitude of the Mizoram hills is 900m and the highest peak is Phawngpui, the Blue Mountain, at 2165m. The people of Mizoram are believed to be of Mongolian origin, and migrated to these areas centuries ago. In the 19th century the region came under the British influence and saw a growing presence of Christian missionaries. Now most of the Mizo population is Christian and the Mizo language has a Roman script.

Traditionally, the people of Mizoram were governed by a code of conduct described by an untranslatable term Tlawmngaihna that required everybody to be unselfish and kind to others. This community culture persists. Mizo people used to practice jhum Cultivation, which is a kind of slash-and-burn agriculture. Agriculture is till the main economic activity and paddy is the main crop.  The festivals here are connected to the agricultural rhythms. Mim Kut and Pawl Kut are harvest festivals celebrated in August-September and December-January respectively. Chapchar Kut is the spring festival celebrated in the end of February. Cheraw is the most famous of Mizo dances. Believed to be centuries old, before the Mizos migrated from Mongolia, the Cheraw is a rhythmic dance using bamboo staves.

Aizawl is the capital and the cultural centre of Mizoram. From this citadel-like city there are attractive views of the lush Tlawng River Valley in the west and the Turial River Valley in the east. Towards the north are the hills of Durtlang. Tamdil Lake is not far from Aizawl and offers boat rides. On the Chhimtuipui River is Saiha, an ideal place to indulge in fishing. Lake Palak is nearby and known for its wild duck and large fish. Vantawang, 750 feet high, is Mizoram's highest waterfall. Phawngpui, the highest peak in Mizoram is famous as a habitat for orchids and rhododendrons, and for mountains goats and butterflies.