MIZORAM

MIZORAM
Location: Northeastern Region Of India
Capital: Aizwal
Tourist Attractions: Tamdil Lake, Palak Lake, Phawngui Peak, Milu Peak, Pukzing
Cave, Lamail Puk
Best Time To Visit: October To April
Land Of The Blue Mountain: With the exclusion of a small portion lying in the plains,
the entire state is full of ranges running in the north-south direction. The hilly ridges vary
from about 3,000 feet to 7,000 feet. The slope of the hills is very steep while the gorges
are narrow and so deep that in many cases one cannot fathom their bottom. The plains
are mostly located in the eastern part of Mizoram, namely the places known as
Champhai (about 7-km in length and 3-km in width) and a portion of Vanlaiphai (about 6-
km in length and 3-km in width).
Through this land mass of hills and plains flow the main 13 rivers, which irrigate and
render the soil fertile for cultivation. Perched on the high hills, Mizoram is flanked by
Bangladesh in the west and Myanmar in the east and south, sharing around 630-kms
with these foreign countries. Two sister states of Manipur and Assam border with it on
the north, while Tripura lies in the west. The highest peak, the blue mountain known
locally as "Phawngpui" (meaning "Vast Meadow") is 2,065m in height.
Occupying an area of 21,087-sq-kms, Mizoram supports a population of over five Lakh
who call them 'Mizo'. The term 'Mizo' is a compound of two words: 'Mi' means man and
'Zo' means hills. Thus Mizo connotes a "hill man". The term 'Mizo', therefore, gives a
racial and distinctive ethnic identity to the people of the state.
CLIMATE: The climate is not uniform in the entire state. The valleys are warm and
humid while the higher ridges are delightfully cool and pleasant even in the hot season
of the year. Monsoon winds blow across the hills in April or early May. The rainfall, which
generally starts in May, varies from 70 to 170 inches in a year. The temperature
fluctuates from 200C to 290C in summer and 110C to 200C in winter.
The People: Protected By Angels: The Mizos are simple, happy, carefree, contented,
generous and freedom-loving people. They lead a life of close comradeship in their
habitat of a salubrious climate and dense green forests abounding in diverse flora and
fauna. They rank third in the country as far as percentage of literacy is concerned - the
state with 87% literacy rate is just behind Chandigarh and Kerala.
The Mizos do not draw any status distinction between men and women who rank equal
in their society. Their guiding code of ethics is known as "Tlawmngaihna", which means
that everyone should be unselfish, hospitable and helpful towards each other, endowed
with a rich culture, they are passionately drawn to dance and songs. They have a rich
variety of community dances, which have been handed down for generations. The
dances reflect their mirthful nature.
The Mizos also believed that mountains, big trees, huge rocks, swamps and caves were
haunted by malevolent spirits and demons which caused suffering to human beings in
their own different ways. However, under the British rule, western missionaries brought
about evangelization of the people from the 19th century. And enamoured of their
newfound faith, the Mizos clung to it with dedication and submission. Consequently,
Christian culture now has a great bearing on the social life of the Mizos.

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Festivals: The Mizos have a large variety of annual festivals. Being mainly agriculturists
by occupation, their festivals are linked with shifting cultivation, the cutting down of
jungle, sowing and harvesting. Three prominent festivals are known as "Chapter Cut",
"Mini Cut" and "Pawl Cut". Chapter Cut is the greatest festival observed after completion
of the cutting down of the jungle in February and March.
Mini Cut is the maize festival celebrated in September after the maize harvest is
dedicated to the departed souls. The third festival, Pawl Cut, is observed after the
harvest in December. This is festival is devoted to children's welfare. During these
festivals, villagers sing, dance and feast in thanksgiving.
According into a legend, the origin of festivals goes back to olden times before the Mizos
migrated to India from Myanmar. After having faced famine for consecutive years, they
prayed to their supreme God, Chunk Patina, who blessed them with bumper crops. The
festivals are, therefore, primarily observed as devotion and in thanksgiving. However,
today, the greatest festival is Christmas and New Year's Day.
Places Of Interest: Folklore Comes Alive: The places of interest to visitors may be
categorized under four principal heads: Natural lakes, Peaks, Flora and fauna and sites
of historical significance. The Palak Lake is situated in an accessible area in the south of
the state. It is an abode of aquatic birds with wild duck of different species. Fish and crab
are found in the lake measuring 200 meters in length and 150 meters in width in an area
of 30 hectares. Bear, tiger, deer, wild pig and other fauna are found in the forest
surrounding the lake.
Tamdil Lake in Aizawl district is another abode of aquatic fauna consisting of fish and
prawns and wild life in the enclosing jungle. Tropical and evergreen forests surround
Rangdil Lake. Rangdil is a man made lake some 150 kilometers from Aizawl.
Peaks: There are about 21 peaks in Mizoram varying from 1,179m to 2,157 meters in
altitude. The peaks are generally precipitous which have led to the theory that the
territory was earlier under water, which receded from west to the east. The fact that
Mizoram hills abruptly rise from the plains of Assam gives credence to the theory. The
peaks offer much scope to visitors fond of adventure sports like climbing and
mountaineering.
Historically Important: Some 13 places of historical interest are associated with
legends, local folklore and stories. The deep sense of belonging and togetherness of the
Mizos has been interwoven with these places. They form an important part of the history
and culture of the Mizo race.
Phawngui - The Blue Mountain: "Phawngui" or the Blue Mountain, the highest
mountain peak in Mizoram, is considered the abode of gods to whom annual sacrifices
are offered. On the peak, there is a level ground about 200 hectares which is surrounded
by matted bamboo groves, rare flora species and Orchids and Rhododendrons which
have survived owing to the isolation of the mountain. Milu peak is a cave of human skulls
of people who lived in the area before the Mizos. They were known as "Tlau".
Caves: Pukzing Cave about 25-km wide is the biggest cave said to have been carved
out using a hairpin by a sturdy man called "Mualzavata". Lamail Puk is another caves,
the site of a war between two villages. Kungawrhi Puk is named after a beautiful girl
around whom an interesting story is associated. Thansiama Seno Neihna is a hill whose
top is beautiful flat land. Subutta Lung is a memorial stone erected which again has a
fascinating Storyu. Philpul grave has two graves to which visitors are attracted because
of the legends linked with the site. The memorial of Chhingpui is again a memorial stone
connected with love stories of the past.
The Buddha's image near Mualchung village was found near Lunglei town. On either
side of the image, there are engravings of dancing girls.

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The names of other locations of historical interest are Khawng Run, Thangliana Lung,
Suangpuilawn inscriptions, Lungvandawl, Tualchung, Mangkahia Lung, Pangzawl and
eastern villages. These places, in their turn, will provide the visitor with a cluster of
folklore of the Mizo people.
Flora And Fauna: Feathered Friends: Orchids are abundant in Mizoram. Epiphytic
orchids are greater in number than terrestrial ones. Some of the rare species of orchids
endemic to Mizoram consist of fine foliage and bright flowers of great interest to garden
lovers. There is a drive to protect the wildlife and conserve the threatened and endemic
Taxa of orchids and other interesting plants in the Orchidaria of the botanical survey of
India at Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya state.
Available records show that a wide range of insects, Molluscs, Crustaceans, a few 1,000
species of insects, about 12 species of Butterflies and Moths, 20 of Beetles, 13 of
Molluscs and various types of Snails are found in Mizoram. Seven species of Owls, 10 of
Pheasants, 12 of Hawks and Eagles, 11 of Bulbuls belonging to 13 families, nine of
Egrets and Herons too exist. The mammals consist of Black and Wild Bear Tiger,
Leopard, Hoolock Gibbon, Chinese Pangolin, Clawless Otter, Porcupine and Mongoose.