tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44568447997972635652024-02-08T07:59:20.193-08:00NE TourismMofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-70638270701340054542008-08-02T07:53:00.000-07:002008-08-02T07:55:10.618-07:00Tripura:<br />Geography and climate<br /><br /><br />Tripura's landscape<br />Tripura is a landlocked hilly state in northeastern India with altitudes varying from 50 to 3080 ft above sea level, though the majority of the population lives in the plains. Tripura has a tropical climate and receives rainfall during the monsoons. It is surrounded on the north, west, and south by Bangladesh and is accessible to the rest of India through the Karimganj district of Assam and Aizawl district of Mizoram in the east. The state extends between 22°56'N and 24°32'N and 90°09'E and 92°10'E. Its maximum stretch measures about 184 km from north to south and 113 km from east to west with an area of 10,492 km². Tripura is the third smallest state of the country.<br />Although landlocked, Tripura has many rivers including the Manu River which originates here.[5]<br />Transport and communication<br />Tripura is connected with the rest of the country through Assam by meter gauge railway line extending to Lumding and Silchar. The main railways stations are in the northern towns of Dharmanagar and Kumarghat. National Highway 44 connects it to Assam and the rest of India.<br />Agartala Airport, which has flights to Kolkata, Guwahati, Bangalore , Chennai , Delhi and Silchar, is the main airport of the state.<br />Most of the major Telecommunications companies of India are present in the state, with the state capital and regions of the state being served by Airtel, Aircel, Reliance and BSNL landline, mobile and broadband networks.<br />Culture<br />See also: Tripuri culture<br /><br /><br />Children in Tripura prepare for a traditional dance.<br />Tripura has several diverse ethno-linguistic groups, which has given rise to a composite culture. The dominant culture is Bengali, while minority cultures are those of the Tripuris,Jamatia, Reang, Noatia, Koloi, Murasing, Chakma, Halam, Garo, Kuki, Lushai, Mogh, Munda, Oraon, Santhal and Uchoi.<br />Tripura has a rich cultural heritage of music, fine arts, handicrafts and dance. Music is an integral part of the tribal people of Tripura. Some of their indigenous instruments are the sarinda, chongpreng and sumui (a kind of flute). Songs are sung during religious occasions, marriages and other festivals. Agricultural festivals are integral to the culture of the state.<br />Dance is important to the tribal way of life. Dances are performed during Goria Puja. Hojagiri dance is performed by standing on a pitcher and is performed by the Reang clans. The Bihu dance is performed by the Chakmas during Chaitra Sankranti (the last day of the month of Chaitra).<br />Flora and fauna<br />The state is located in the bio-geographic zone of 9B-North-East Hills and possesses an extremely rich bio-diversity. The local flora and faunal components of Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese sub-regions. There are 379 species of trees, 320 shrubs, 581 herbs, 165 climbers, 16-climbing shrubs, 35 ferns and 45 epiphytes.[citation needed]<br />Wildlife sanctuaries of the state include Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary, Gumti Wildlife sanctuary, Roa Wildlife Sanctuary and Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary. National Park of India|National Park of the state include Clouded Leopard National Park, Sepahijola and Rajbari National Park, Trishna.<br />Places of interest<br />• Amarpur<br />• Chaturdasha Temple<br />• Hwlwighati<br />• Jampui Hills<br />• Kamalasagar<br />• Khumulwng<br />• Neermahal<br />• Rasu Kami<br />• Tripura Sundari temple<br /><br /><br />Within its small geographical area , Tripura offers plenty of attractions for the tourists<br />in the form of magnificent palaces ( Ujjayanta Palace and Kunjaban Palace at Agartala and<br />Neermahal - Lake Palace at Melaghar ), splendid rock-cut carvings and stone images ( Unakoti<br />near Kailashahar, Debtamura near Amarpur and Pilak in Belonia Sub-divisions ), important<br />temples of Hindus and Buddhists including the famous Mata Tripureswari temple ( one of the<br />51 Pithasthans as per Hindu mythology ) at Udaipur, vast natural as well as artificial<br />lakes namely Dumboor lake in Gandacherra subdivision, Rudrasagar at Melaghar, Amarsagar,<br />Jagannath Dighi, Kalyan Sagar, etc. at Udaipur, the beautiful hill station of Jampui hill<br />bordering Mizoram, wild life sanctuaries at Sepahijala, Gumti, Rowa and Trishna and rich<br />cultural heritage of Tribals, Bengalis and Manipuri communities residing in the state.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> The former Maharajas had constructed<br /> beautiful palaces in different locations<br /> of the state. These palaces provide a<br /> glimpse of the royal past of this<br /> erstwhile princely state. <br />• Ujjayanta Palace<br />• Kunjaban Palace<br />• Malancha Niwas<br />• Neermahal<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Tripura has beautiful rock cut carvings and stone<br /> images at Unakoti, Debtamura and Pilak. Most of<br /> these carvings are huge in size and made on vertical<br /> walls exposed in the open atmosphere. <br /> <br />• Unakoti<br />• Debatamura<br />• Pilak<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Tripura is famous for a large number of temples<br />of Hindus and Buddhists. The most significant of them<br />are Mata Tripureshwari temple at Udaipur, Fourteen<br />Goddess Temple at Old Agartala, Bhuveneshwari Temple<br />at Udaipur , Benuban Vihar at Agartala etc. <br /> <br />• Mata Tripureswari Temple<br />• Fourteen Goddess Temple<br />• Bhuveneswari Temple<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> About 2/3rd area of the state is under forest<br /> cover where different species of trees, orchids,<br /> birds and wild life are found. Tripura offers<br /> excellent opportunities for eco-fiendly tourism<br /> and different wild life sanctuaries in the state<br /> offer various attractions to the tourists. <br /> <br />• Sepahijala Wild Life Sanctuary<br />• Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Tripura is blessed with a large number of<br />natural and artificial lakes throughout the<br />state. <br /> <br />• Dumboor<br />• Rudrasagar<br />• Kamalasagar<br /> In addition, there are huge lakes at Udaipur<br /> namely Amarsagar, Kalyansagar, Jagannath<br /> Dighi, Mahadev Dighi and Sukh Sagar which<br /> were excavated by the then Maharajas. These<br /> lakes add beauty to the Udaipur town which<br /> is also known as City of temples and lakes. <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> It is situated about 200 Km. away from<br /> Agartala and is the highest hill range in<br /> the state bordering Mizoram. <br /> <br />• Jampui Hill<br /><br />Agartala<br /><br /><br />The main attractions in Agartala are Ujjayanta Palace, State Museum, Tribal Museum, Sukanta Academy, M.B.B. College, Laxminarayan Temple, Uma Maheswar Temple, Jagannath Temple, Benuban Bihar, Gedu Mian Mosque, Malanch Niwas, Rabindra Kanan, Purbasha, Handicrafts Designing Centre, Fourteen Goddess Temple, Portuguese Church etc.<br /><br />Accommodation :<br />Rajarshee Yatri Niwas, Yatrika, Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel and Private Hotels.<br /> Ujjayanta Palace<br /><br />This royal house, which stands in the Capital city Agartala covering one sq.Km. area was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya during 1899-1901.It is a two storied mansion, having a mixed type of architecture with three high domes, the central one being 86’ high. The magnificent tile floor, curved wooden ceiling and beautifully crafted doors are particularly notable. The palace is set with huge Mughal style gardens, beautified by pools and gardens and tiled floors. Flood lighting and fountains have also added to its beauty.<br /><br />Location : <br />Agartala.<br />Accommodation :<br />Rajarshee Yatri Niwas, Yatrika, Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel and Private Hotels..<br /><br />How to reach Agartala ?<br />• By air from Calcutta/ Guwahati.<br />• By Train upto Dharmanagar/ Kumarghat and then by road.<br />• Distance from Dharmanagar is 192 km, bus fare from Dharmanagar Rs.65/-<br />• Distance from Kumarghat – 170 km, bus fare from Kumarghat Rs.50/-.<br /><br /> Kunjaban Palace<br /><br />A green hillock known as Kunjaban ( a bower) for its scenic beauty stands to the north of Ujjayanta palace at a distance of about 1 Km. Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya (1909-1923) selected this beautiful place for building a suburban palace for retreat and constructed a palace in 1917 which was named as ‘Pushbanta Palace’. The Maharaja himself being gifted artist is said to have drawn the plan of the palace and its adjoining garden.<br />Poet Rabindranath Tagore stayed in the eastern apartment of this palace during his 7th and last visit to the state in 1926. This palace was the mute witness to many of the great poet's creations including a number of popular songs. There are well laid gardens and lawns inside the palace which is the official residence of the Governor of Tripura now. The southern side of the garden has been made open for the public and has been named as ‘Rabindra Kanan’.<br /><br />Location : <br />Agartala<br />Accommodation :<br />Rajarshee Yatri Niwas, Yatrika, Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel and Private Hotels..<br /><br />How to reach Agartala ?<br />• By air from Calcutta/ Guwahati.<br />• By Train upto Dharmanagar/ Kumarghat and then by road.<br />• Distance from Dharmanagar is 192 km, bus fare from Dharmanagar Rs.65/-<br />• Distance from Kumarghat – 170 km, bus fare from Kumarghat Rs.50/-.<br /><br /> Malancha Niwas<br /><br />The Bungalow adjacent to Kunjaban palace situated on a hillock was originally a kaccha house where Tagore stayed during his visit in 1919. The pucca construction was subsequently built and given the name of Malancha Niwas.<br /><br />Location : <br />Agartala<br />Accommodation :<br />Rajarshee Yatri Niwas, Yatrika, Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel and Private Hotels..<br /><br />How to reach Agartala ?<br />• By air from Calcutta/ Guwahati.<br />• By Train upto Dharmanagar/ Kumarghat and then by road.<br />• Distance from Dharmanagar is 192 km, bus fare from Dharmanagar Rs.65/-<br />• Distance from Kumarghat – 170 km, bus fare from Kumarghat Rs.50/-.<br /><br /><br /> Unakoti<br /><br />It is Shaiba pilgrimage and dates back to 7th – 9th centuries if not earlier. The marvelous rock carvings, murals with their primitive beauty, waterfalls are not to be missed. Unakoti means one less than a crore and it is said that these many rock cut carvings are available here. As per Hindu mythology, when Lord Shiva was going to Kashi along with one crore gods and goddesses he made a night halt at this location. He asked all the gods and goddesses to wake up before sun rise and proceed for Kashi. It is said that in the morning, except Shiva himself, no one else could get up so set out for Kashi himself cursing the others to become stone images as a result we have one less than a crore stone images and carvings at Unakoti.These carvings are located at a beautifully landscaped forest area with green vegetation all around which add to the beauty of the carvings.<br />The images found at Unakoti are of two types namely rock-carved figures and stone images. Among the rock cut carvings, the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha figures deserve special mention. The central Shiva head known as ‘Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava’ is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures - one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side. In addition three enormous images of Nandi Bull are found half buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock cut images at Unakoti.<br />Every year a big fair popularly known as ‘Ashokastami Mela’ is held in the month of April which is visited by thousands of pilgrims.<br /><br />Location : <br />178 k.m. from Agartala. 8 k.m. from Kailashahar, district head quarter of North Tripura District.<br />Accommodation :<br />Uttarmegh Tourist Lodge.<br />Tariff :<br />Double Bed Rs. 120/- + 10% Tax. <br />How to go to Unakoti ?<br />• From Agartala to Kailashahar by bus (fare Rs.60/-) and then by Jeep upto Unakoti ( Rs.10/-).<br />• From Dharmanagar to Unakoti by bus ( Fare Rs.15/-) only.<br /><br /><br /> Pilak<br /><br />Treasure house of Hindu and Buddhist Sculpture. It dates back to 8th and 9th centuries. Beautiful images scattered in an area of about 10 Sq.Km. have been found. The images, terracotta plaques and sealing found here reflect survival of heterodox creeds and sects representing both Hinduism and Buddhism. Colossal stone images of Avolokiteshwar and Narasimha have been found here.<br /><br />Location : <br />100 k.m. from Agartala.<br />Accommodation :<br />Pilak Pantha Niwas, Bagafa and Dakbanglow, Shantir Bazar.<br />Tariff :<br />Dormitory Rs.50/- per head.<br />How to go to Pilak ?<br />By bus from Agartala to Julaibari in Belonia Sub-Division ( fare Rs.27/- ) only. Then by auto rickshaw or rickshaw ( 5 km. ), fare negotiable.<br /><br />Tripura Sundari Temple<br /><br />This temple is one of the 51 pithasthans in India as per Hindu mythology. As per mythology, Lord Vishnu had cut off the body of Mata Sati into 51 pieces by Sudarshana Chakra and all these pieces fell at different places throughout the country and these places are known as pithasthans. It is said that 'right foot' of Mata Sati fell at Matabari.<br />This pithasthan is also known as Kurma Pith because the shape of the temple premises resembles to that of "Kurma" namely tortoise. Inside the temple, the idol of Maa Kali is kept which is made of 'reddish black Kastic pathar.' Maa Kali is worshipped in her 'Soroshi' form in this temple. There is an idol of smaller size of Maa Kali called 'Chotto Maa 'and this image used to be carried by Maharajas of Tripura during "Mrigaya" namely hunting and also during war.<br />The temple consists of square type sanctum of the typical Bengali hut type structure with a conical dome. The temple was constructed in 1501 A.D. by the then Maharaja Dhanya Manikya.<br />In the eastern side of the temple there is a famous Kalyan Sagar where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with "muri" and biscuits. No fishing is permitted in the Kalyan Sagar.<br />Every year on Dewali, a famous Mela takes place near the temple which is visited by more than two lakhs pilgrims.<br /><br />Location : <br />55 k.m. from Agartala. 3 k.m. away from Udaipur, district headquarter of South Tripura District.<br />Accommodation :<br />Matabari Pantha Niwas.<br />Tariff :<br />Rs.50/- per bed. <br />How to go to Tripureswari Temple ?<br />By bus from Agartala to TripuraSundari Temple at Udaipur (Rs.14/-) only.<br /><br /> Fourteen Goddess Temple<br /><br />It is located about 14 Km. away from Agartala at a place called Old Agartala. In the face of continued fight with Shamser Gazi, Maharaja Krishna Manikya had shifted the capital from Udaipur to Old Agartala. It continued to be the capital till it was shifted to Agartala. Near the sacred 14 goddess temple during the month of July every year a Kharchi festival is organised and thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit this festival.<br /><br />Location : <br />14 k.m. from Agartala. <br /><br /> Neermahal<br /><br />This magnificent lake palace was constructed as a summer resort in 1930 by late Maharaja Birbikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in the middle of a natural lake called Rudrasagar having an area of 5.35 Sq.Km. The construction was undertaken by Martin & Burn Co. and it is the only lake palace in the entire eastern India.<br />A good combination of Hindu and Mughal architecture is noticed on the domes of the palace. There are mainly two parts of the palace - one on the western side known as Andar Mahal which was used by the royal family and another on the eastern side which was used for the security personnel and servants. There are 15 rooms in the main Andar Mahal. There is a beautiful garden laid in the western side of the palace. In the garden there is an open stage where drama, theatre, etc. use to be organised.<br />Maharajas used to go by motor boat to the palace from Rajghat. There is a motor boat ghat inside the palace upto which the motor boat could go and there are two ,stairs at the motor boat ghat - one for Maharaja and one for Maharani.<br />Flood lighting of the palace has been arranged in the evening. In addition, water sports facilities are being extended. The palace is going to be renovated and a museum depicting the royal life style will be set up inside the palace. In addition Light & Sound show on the historical past and cultural heritage of Tripura will be organised in the palace. In water number of migratory birds are found in the lake surrounding Neermahal.<br /><br />Location : <br />53 k.m. from Agartala.<br />Accommodation :<br />Sagarmahal Tourist Lodge. <br />How to reach Neermahal ?<br />Agartala to Melaghar in Sonamura Sub-Division by bus (Rs.15/-) only and then by rickshaw (Rs.5/-) only.<br /><br /> Udaipur<br /><br />The main attractions in Udaipur are Tripura Sundari Temple, popularly known as MATABARI, one of the 51 pithas of Hindu Puran, Bhuvaneswari Temple, Gunabati group of Temples, Vast Lakes with scenic beauty.<br /><br />Location : <br />55 k.m. from Agartala. <br />Accommodation :<br />Wayside amenities at Bagafa & Dak Bungalow at Santirbazar<br /><br /> Jampui Hill<br /><br />The permanent seat of eternal spring is situated at an altitude of 3000’ above sea level. Jampui is famous for its charming landscape and bracing climate. The excellent climatic condition, green forests, beautiful orange garden, view of raising and setting sun are wonderful sight for tourists.<br />The hill range has 11 villages inhabited by Mizo (Lushai tribes) and also by Reang tribes. Population of the hill range is about 8,000 and the main occupation of the villagers is orange cultivation.<br />The temperature variation in the hill range is very nominal in all seasons and is ideal for the purpose of tourism. Different seasons offer different pleasures to the tourists at Jampui hill. During October to December the orange trees are laden with fruits and the entire hill range looks orange coloured. During March to May various species of orchids and other wild trees bear flowers. During rainy season the hill range is full of clouds and one can have the feeling of walking in the clouds.<br />The Lushai tribes mainly inhabited in the hill range have a very strikingly distinct cultural identity. They are quite well-off people having neat and clean houses well equipped with modern amenities. Most of them speak English fluently and follow Christianity.<br />The sun rise and sun set in the hill range is a delight worth seeing. The natural beauty, the pleasant weather, various species of trees, orchids and orange gardens, hospitable people and rich cultural heritage makes it an ideal destination for the tourists.<br />There is an ‘Eden’ Tourist Lodge in Vangmun village where tourists can go and stay comfortably. In addition, local people offer paying guest accommodation to the visiting tourists which enable them to closely understand the life and culture of the Lushai tribes.<br />After withdrawal of Restricted Area Permit for the foreign nationals, the hill range is attracting a large number of foreign tourists. The highest peak of Tripura ‘Betalongchhip’ falls in this hill range which is 3600 feet high and from where tourist can see the panoramic view of Mizoram, Chittagong hill tracts and various other hill ranges of Tripura. There are good trekking routes in the hill range for tourists. State Government is planning to develop village tourism in Jampui hill and sports complex and cultural complex will be constructed shortly.<br /><br />Location :<br />250 k.m. from Agartala.<br />Accommodation :<br />Eden Tourist Lodge at Vanghmun. Paying Guest accommodation is also available. Cottage at Phuldongsie. <br />Tariff :<br />Double bed Rs.200/-+10% tax, Single bed Rs.120/-.<br /> Bhuvaneswari Temple<br /><br />On the right bank of river Gomati at Udaipur is found the ruins of a big palace built by Maharaja Govinda Manikya (1660-75 A.D.). The Bhuveneswari temple is situated adjacent to this palace. It finds close literary reference in Great poet Rabindranath Tagore’s novels and drama namely ‘Bisharjan’ and ‘Rajarshi’<br /><br />Location :<br />55 k.m. from Agartala.<br />Accommodation :<br />Matabari Pantha Niwas.<br />Tariff :<br />Dormitory Rs.50/- per bed.<br /><br /> TRIPURA GOVERNMENT MUSEUM, Agartala, India <br /> <br />Name <br />:-<br />Tripura Government Museum.<br />Inauguration <br />:-<br />22nd June, 1970.<br />Status <br />:-<br />State Level Museum under Directorate of Higher Education.<br />Type of Museum <br />:-<br />Multipurpose (with great emphasis on Art and crafts of Tripura.<br />Location <br />:-<br />Post Office Chowmohani, Agartala.<br />Visiting Hours <br />:-<br />10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.<br />Closing day <br />:-<br />Sunday, including all gazetted holidays.<br />Entrance <br />:-<br />Rs. 2/- per ticket.<br />Number of galleries <br />:-<br />4 nos.<br />Name of galleries<br />:-<br />a. Archaeological gallery<br />b. Indian Sculpture through the ages gallery<br />c. Painting gallery<br />d. Tribal Culture gallery.<br />Total Nos. of collections <br />:-<br />1645 nos.<br />a. Coins<br />i. Gold Coins – 8 nos.<br />ii. Silver Coins – 244 nos.<br />iii. Copper Coins – 522 nos<br />b. Sculptures : 79 nos.<br />c. Terracotta : 141 nos.<br />d. Copper inscriptions : 10 nos.<br />e. Stone inscriptions : 09 nos.<br />f. Bronze images : 39 nos.<br />g. Textiles : 102 nos.<br />h. Oil paintings : 58 nos.<br />i. Sketches and drawings : 63 nos.<br />j. Jewellery : 197 nos. and others.<br />Reference library <br />:-<br />Books on Art, Architecture, Archaeology, Anthropology, History and other aspects of Triprua State.<br />Epigraphical collections <br />:-<br />Number of Manuscripts – 120 nos.<br />Language :- Sanskrit and Bengali. Type :- Mythological.<br />Importance <br />:-<br />Triprua Government Museum is important to the tourists, students, general public and research scholars to know about the History & Culture of past and present people of the State.<br />Sculpture <br />:-<br />Most of the sculptures acquired and displayed so far are from Udaipur, Pilak, Jolaibari and other sites of Triprua. Out of them, the sculptures from Pilak are the exquisite collections, depicting mixed culture of both Hindu and Buddhist pantheon. they are famous itself for the style and variety of theme. The sculptures are mostly dated back to 9th to 13th<br />cent. A. D. Most of the sculptures and made of sand stone and for that the formation of sculpture is very crude in nature.<br />Low relief Dasavatar panels collected from Radhanagar in the vicinity of Agartala dated back to 18th cent. A. D. are the exquisite pieces of sculpture. From these sculpture we get local influence in their formation, style and anthropomorphic details.<br />Terracotta <br />:-<br />Most of the terracotta figures collected in its Museum are from Pilak and Amarpur. Some terracotta figures belonging to Bengal School, contributed by Sri Dinesh Ch. Sen, Historian, are our prized collection. Terracotta's of Pilak symbolizes a unique craftsmanship of the folk traditions as prevailed in greater Bengal and the rest having mythological themes, floral designs, animal motifs etc. Because of poor firing and clay, the quality of the terracottas found in Pilak are not good like those of Bengal.<br />Bronze Images <br />:-<br />Bronze images of Triprua are no less important in moulding technique, theme, variety and unique craftsmanship. Some of the important collections are of miniature Mukhalinga Avalokitesvara, Tara and Vishnu etc.<br />Coins <br />:-<br />The most ancient coin of the Tripura rulers so far discovered is that of Maharaja Ratna Manikya (1464 A.D.) the 145th King of the state.<br /><br />The Characteristics of coins of Tripura.<br />(a)<br />Mostly made of silver and copper, some gold coins are also in collection.<br />(b)<br />Coronation, pilgrimage, conquest etc. types of commemorative coins are the general collection.<br />(c)<br />Queen’s name along with king inscribed on the coin e.g. obverse of the coin depict the legend, "Sivadurgapada, Srijuta Dharma Manikya Deva, Sri Dharmasila Mahadevi.<br />(d)<br />Iconographic symbol is also found on the coin.<br />(e)<br />The script of the coins is in Bengali and partly Assamese. The language is Sanskrit.<br />Paintings <br />:-<br />Paintings are mostly acquired from the Royal House of Tripura on permanent donation. the paintings are mainly belonging to the life size portraits of the rulers of the State. There are some paintings of non-Indian origin. Some sketches and drawings of famous artists like Nandalal Bose, Gagan Thakur and Dhiren Krishna Deb Barma are the most valuable collection of this Museum.<br />Tribal Sculpture Gallery <br />:-<br />Triprua being a land of various ethnic groups, an attempt has been made to depict the material culture of the major tribes of Tripura. Some of the unique collections of ornaments, musical instruments and textiles used by them in different stages of life are shown through models and diorama.<br />Development of new galleries <br />:-<br />The Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata has come forward with a project for the development of a big hall into a photographic gallery on "Hill seapes of India" which is under progress.<br />The Indian Museum, Kolkata has remodeled a big room for exhibition the folk & tribal crafts of Tripura. The famous bamboo and cane made objects, sculptures on wood curving and ivory are its special attraction.<br />Photo Gallery Bronze Objects<br />1. Buddha : Circa 9th-10th Cent A.D.<br />2. Siva Parvati : 9th-10th cent A.D. Stone Objects 3. Bhairava : 12th cent, Sonamura, Tripura 4. Buddha : 10th cent, Pilak, Tripura 5. Uma-Maheswar : 11th cent, Udaipur, Tripura Stone Plaque (Dashavatara Panel) 6. Kalki Avatar : 18th cent, Radhanagar, Tripura 7. Kurmavatar : 18th cent, Radhanagar, Tripura 8. Krishna : 18th cent, Radhanagar, Tripura Terracotta 9. Kinnar : 18th cent, Pilak, Tripura<br />Sepahijala<br /><br />Sepahijala is covering an area of 18.532 km. More than 150 species of residential birds, migratory birds, orchid garden, boating facilities, wild life, botanical garden, zoo, elephant joy-rides, rubber and coffee plantation attracts the visitors.The famous spectacled monkey is found here.<br /><br />Location : <br />25 k.m. from Agartala on Agartala-Udaipur main road.<br />Accommodation :<br />Abasarika (Forest Bungalow) and Cottages run by Forest Department. <br />Tariff :<br />Rs.50/- per bed, Rs. 100/- per cottage..<br /> <br /> Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary<br /><br />Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary is located at about 100 Km. away from Agartala in Belonia Subdivision of South Tripura District. Bison is the main attraction in this sanctuary, in addition to the resident and migratory birds.<br /><br /><br /> Kamalasagar<br /><br />Vast lake at the border of Bangladesh was excavated by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 15th century. On the bank of Kamalasagar, there is a famous temple of Goddess Kali dating back to 16th century. It is one of the excellent picnic spots in the statewith scenic beauty.<br /><br />Location : <br />30 k.m. from Agartala. <br />Accommodation :<br />At Agartala.<br /><br /> Deotamura<br /><br />Deotamura is famous for its panels of rock carvings on the steep mountain wall on the bank of Gomati. There are huge images carved of Shiva, Vishnu, Kartika, Mahisasur Mardini Durga and other gods and goddesses. This is also called Chabimura. These images date back to 15th-16th centuries.<br /><br />Location : <br />75 k.m. from Agartala.<br />Accommodation :<br />Raima Tourist Lodge at Jatanbari. <br />Tariff :<br />Double bed Rs.200/-(AC)+10% tax, Rs.120/-(Non-AC)+10% tax.<br /><br /> Dumboor Lake<br /><br />A water area of 41 sq.km. with an un-ending spell of luxuriant green vegetation all around stands majestic for her exceedingly charming beauty and 48 islands in the midst of the lake. Migratory birds, Water sports facilities are additional attractions. There is a Hydel Project near the lake from where River Gomati originates and this is called Tirthamukh where on 14th January every year famous 'Pous Sankranti Mela' takes place. The lake is the confluence of rivers Raima and Sarma. Various species of migratory birds are noticed in the winter and it has rich reservoir of natural and cultured fishes.<br /><br />Location :<br />120 k.m. from Agartala.<br />Accommodation :<br />Raima Tourist Lodge at Jatanbari. <br />Tariff :<br />Double bed Rs.200/-(AC)+10% tax, Rs.120/-(Non-AC)+10% tax.<br /><br /> Rudrasagar Lake<br /><br />Rudrasagar lake, about 55 Km. away from Agartala near Melaghar having 5.3 Sq.Km. water area is another big attraction. In the centre of the lake the famous lake palace of Tripura namely Neermahal is built. The lake witnesses a large number of migratory birds in every winter. Every year a boat race is organised in July/August. The visiting tourists can enjoy boating facility in the lake.<br />Buddha Temple, Venuban Vihar in Agartala<br /><br />The shrine though small in size, preserves some beautiful metal idols of Lord Buddha and Bodhisatva. The idols are Burmese in origin. Here Buddha Jayanti is celebrated on the Buddha Purnima day followed by a big fair every year.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 12 km from the city.<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Kumarghat, 140 km from Agartala.<br /><br />Accommodation :<br />• Rajarshi Yatri Niwas : Phone – 225930<br />• Hotel Rajdhani : Phone - 223387<br />• Royal Guest House : Phone – 225539<br />• Hotel Radha International : Phone – 225430<br />• Hotel Haven : Phone – 225737<br /><br /><br /> Buddhist Temple at Pecharthal, North Tripura<br /><br />This temple is one of the oldest Buddha temples in the state. It was set up in 1931. The Idol was brought from Rangoon in 1931. This Idol does not look enormous in consideration of its incredible weight of 700 kg.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 165 km.<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Pecharthal, 2 km.<br />Nearest Town :<br />Kumarghat, 10 km. <br />Accommodation : <br />• Uttarayan Pantha Niwas, Kumarghat, 12 km.<br />• P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow, Kumarghat, 10 km.<br />• Fisheries Dak Bungalow, Kumarghat, 12 km.<br /><br /><br /> Buddha temple at Kanchanpur, North Tripura<br /><br />The temple is situated at sub-divisional headquarter. It is about 80 years old. Buddhists from different parts of the country are coming to visit and stay there.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 195 km<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Pecharthal, 30 km.<br />Nearest Town :<br />Kanchanpur.<br />Accommodation :<br />• 1. Eden Tourist lodge, Vanghmun, 33 km.<br />• 2. Forest Bungalow, Kanchanpur, 1 km.<br />• 3. Revenue Dak Bungalow, Kanchanpur, 4km.<br />• 4.Agriculture Dak Bungalow, Kanchanpur, 4 km.<br />• 5. P.W.D. Inspection Bungalow, Kanchanpur, 4 km.<br /><br />Buddha temple at Manu Bakul, South Tripura<br /><br />The Idol of this temple was brought from Arakan long back . The biggest week long fair is held every year in the month of April. The Pilgrims from Mynamer ( formerly Burma ), Bangladesh, Japan, Thailand and other places congregate during the fair.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 125 km.<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Kumarghat, 265 km.<br />Nearest Town :<br />Sabroom, 265 km. <br />Accommodation :<br />• Pilak Pantha Niwas, Bagafa, 45 km.<br />• Forest Dak bungalow, Sabroom, 27 km.<br />• Revenue Dak Bungalow, Sabroom, 28 km.<br /><br /><br /> Pilak – in Jolaibari, South Tripura<br /><br />The site of civilization which flourished during 8-12 centuries of the Christian era has been a cradle of culture of heterodox creeds and sects representing both Hinduism i.e. Shiva, Surya, Baishnabi and Buddhism i.e. Hinayana, Mahayana, Bajrayana which were found to exist side by side. The important places are Shyam Sundar Tilla, Deb Bari, Thakurani Tilla, Balir Pathar, Basudev Bari and Sagar Deba. The art form and site followed in the making of the images and in the sculptures have distance influence of Palas and Guptas of Bengal. Influence of Arakan, Mynamer (formerly Burma) and local style is discernable in the form and style of Pilak images and sculpture. The number of rock-cut images and terracotta plaques are lying scattered in various places of the area. The site has been under the care of Archaeological Survey of India. The rock-cut images and terracotta plaques still speak of a unique glorious cultural past of Tripura. Some of the important images found there are Avolokiteswar, Mahisasur Mardini, bronze images of Buddha and Vishnu in addition to terracotta plaques, sealing Coins etc. The molded terracotta plaques bear resemblance with molded plaques recovered from Paharpur and Mainamati. The Buddhist Complex here may be assigned a date between 9 and 10 century A.D. During excavation in the late sixties, Archaeological Survey of India team found out brick built stupas. Archaeological Survey of India has plans to do some more excavation to unearth the hidden cultural heritage of the area. If may be presumed that these extensive plains of Tripura were under the control of several dynasties who ruled in Eastern Bengal and Samantha in ancient period. Some of them were Buddhists and the others were Hindues. Most of these rulers had their capitals near this region. The ancient kingdom of Pattikera had its capital in Comilla region and Pilak is not very far from Comilla.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 110 km.<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Kumarghat, 240 km.<br />Nearest Town :<br />Santibazar, 19 km, Jolaibari market, 2 km. <br />Accommodation : <br />• Pilak Pantha Niwas, Bagafa, 20 km.<br />• Revenue Dak Bungalow, Santibazar, 19 km.<br />• Matabari Pantha Niwas, Udaipur, 50 km.<br /><br /><br /> Boxnagar : In Sonamura, West Tripura<br /><br />Very recently after denudation of a natural forest area, a brick-built building emerged. This is near Boxnagar market. The local people initially attributed to the temple of Manasaa – the goddess of Snake. It was in a dilapidated condition. When attention of Archaeological Survey of India was arrested to it, they took over the site but infact nothing was done. In July’97 Dr. Jitendra Das, Superintending Archaeologist came to Tripura and visited this site. He focused there the idol of a Buddha and had been confirmed that it was a Buddha Temple. He was assured of immediate excavation of the site to find out the hidden story.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 98 km<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Kumarghat, 220 km.<br />Nearest Town :<br />Sonamura, 8 km.<br />Accommodation : <br />• Sagarmahal Tourist Lodge, Melaghar, 34 km.<br />• Abakash Tourist Apartment, Melaghar, 34 km.<br />Buddha temple at Manu Bakul, South Tripura<br /><br />The Idol of this temple was brought from Arakan long back . The biggest week long fair is held every year in the month of April. The Pilgrims from Mynamer ( formerly Burma ), Bangladesh, Japan, Thailand and other places congregate during the fair.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 125 km.<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Kumarghat, 265 km.<br />Nearest Town :<br />Sabroom, 265 km. <br />Accommodation :<br />• Pilak Pantha Niwas, Bagafa, 45 km.<br />• Forest Dak bungalow, Sabroom, 27 km.<br />• Revenue Dak Bungalow, Sabroom, 28 km.<br /><br /><br /> Pilak – in Jolaibari, South Tripura<br /><br />The site of civilization which flourished during 8-12 centuries of the Christian era has been a cradle of culture of heterodox creeds and sects representing both Hinduism i.e. Shiva, Surya, Baishnabi and Buddhism i.e. Hinayana, Mahayana, Bajrayana which were found to exist side by side. The important places are Shyam Sundar Tilla, Deb Bari, Thakurani Tilla, Balir Pathar, Basudev Bari and Sagar Deba. The art form and site followed in the making of the images and in the sculptures have distance influence of Palas and Guptas of Bengal. Influence of Arakan, Mynamer (formerly Burma) and local style is discernable in the form and style of Pilak images and sculpture. The number of rock-cut images and terracotta plaques are lying scattered in various places of the area. The site has been under the care of Archaeological Survey of India. The rock-cut images and terracotta plaques still speak of a unique glorious cultural past of Tripura. Some of the important images found there are Avolokiteswar, Mahisasur Mardini, bronze images of Buddha and Vishnu in addition to terracotta plaques, sealing Coins etc. The molded terracotta plaques bear resemblance with molded plaques recovered from Paharpur and Mainamati. The Buddhist Complex here may be assigned a date between 9 and 10 century A.D. During excavation in the late sixties, Archaeological Survey of India team found out brick built stupas. Archaeological Survey of India has plans to do some more excavation to unearth the hidden cultural heritage of the area. If may be presumed that these extensive plains of Tripura were under the control of several dynasties who ruled in Eastern Bengal and Samantha in ancient period. Some of them were Buddhists and the others were Hindues. Most of these rulers had their capitals near this region. The ancient kingdom of Pattikera had its capital in Comilla region and Pilak is not very far from Comilla.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 110 km.<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Kumarghat, 240 km.<br />Nearest Town :<br />Santibazar, 19 km, Jolaibari market, 2 km. <br />Accommodation : <br />• Pilak Pantha Niwas, Bagafa, 20 km.<br />• Revenue Dak Bungalow, Santibazar, 19 km.<br />• Matabari Pantha Niwas, Udaipur, 50 km.<br /><br /><br /> Boxnagar : In Sonamura, West Tripura<br /><br />Very recently after denudation of a natural forest area, a brick-built building emerged. This is near Boxnagar market. The local people initially attributed to the temple of Manasaa – the goddess of Snake. It was in a dilapidated condition. When attention of Archaeological Survey of India was arrested to it, they took over the site but infact nothing was done. In July’97 Dr. Jitendra Das, Superintending Archaeologist came to Tripura and visited this site. He focused there the idol of a Buddha and had been confirmed that it was a Buddha Temple. He was assured of immediate excavation of the site to find out the hidden story.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 98 km<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Kumarghat, 220 km.<br />Nearest Town :<br />Sonamura, 8 km.<br />Accommodation : <br />• Sagarmahal Tourist Lodge, Melaghar, 34 km.<br />• Abakash Tourist Apartment, Melaghar, 34 km.<br /><br />Adjoining Places of Buddhist Interest <br /> Mainamati ( In Bangladesh )<br /><br />About 8 km to the west of Comilla town, which is situated 114 km south east of Dhaka, lies a range of low hills known as Mainamati-Lalmai ridge, an extensive centre of Buddhist civilization ( 7-12 century A.D.). At Salban in the middle of the ridge, excavations laid bare a large Buddhist Vihar (Monastery) and imposing central shrine. It has revealed valuable information about the rule of the Chandra and Dev dynasties, which flourished here from the 7-12 century.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala, 70 km.<br />Nearest Railway Station :<br />Kumarghat (in India), 210 km. And Comilla (in Bangladesh).<br />Nearest Checkpost in India :<br />Sonamura, about 10 km., Akhaura (in Agartala), about 60 km. <br />Nearest Town :<br />Comilla, 8 km.<br /><br /> Paharpur (in Bangladesh)<br /><br />Paharpur is a small village in the Rajshai district (northern part of the Bangladesh) 315 km from Dhaka, where the remains of the monastery have been excavated. This 7-th century archaeological find covers approximately an area of 10.8 hectors of land. The hugeness of central cruciform temple of the monastery is an awe-inspiring sight. It had taken its name from a high mound, which looked like Pahar or Hillock.<br /><br />Nearest Airport : <br />Agartala and Calcutta in India.<br />Nearest Checkpost in India :<br />Akhaura (Agartala) about 450 km. <br />Nearest Town :<br />Joypurhat, 20 km.<br /><br /> Other Information :<br />B-angladesh Visa Office, Agartala, Ph : +(0381)224807/22-5260.<br /> Tourist Information : <br />• Calcutta, Phone : +(033)2425703, Fax : +(033)242-6842.<br />• New Delhi, Phone : +(011)3014607, Fax : +(011)3793827.<br />• Guwahati, Phone : +(0361)528761.<br /><br /> Details Equerry and Booking :<br />Tourism Branch, Department of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Swet Mahal, Palace Compund, Agartala – 799001, Tripura (India),<br />Phone : +(03810225930/223893. Fax : +(0381)224688.<br /><br />How to Reach Tripura<br />The State capital, Agartala is well connected by air with Calcutta and Guwahati. Flight from Guwahati or Calcutta takes less than 45 minutes to reach Agartala. The present schedule of flights along with fare is given below :<br /> AIRLINES<br />Carrier Name Flight No. Route Day Time *<br /> Departure Arrival<br /> INDIAN IC244 AGARTALA(IXA) - KOLKATA(CCU) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 1115 1205<br /> INDIAN IC7728 AGARTALA(IXA) - KOLKATA(CCU) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 1855 2005<br /> INDIAN IC7901 AGARTALA(IXA) - KOLKATA(CCU) 2,3,4,5,6,7 1250 1340<br /> JET AIRWAYS 9W 620 AGARTALA (IXA) TO KOLKATA (CCU) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 1845 1940<br /> KINGFISHER AIRLINES IT 2542 AGARTALA (IXA) TO KOLKATA (CCU) 1,3,5 1655 1805<br />* The timings and fares are subject to change and should be confirmed from the nearest airlines office or authorised travel agents. Please click here for details from Indian Airlines WebSite.<br />The state has three more small airports at Khowai, Kamalpur and Kailashahar where small chartered planes can land after prior information.<br />Tripura is also connected by rail via Guwahati and the nearest rail head is at Kumarghat which is 140 Km. away from Agartala. This rail line is getting to be extended upto Agartala in the next four years.<br />Agartala is connected by road with Guwahati via Shillong by National Highway No.44. It takes about 24 hours by road from Guwahati to reach Agartala. Good luxury coaches, both of private travel agencies and public sector transport corporations ply on this road.<br />Considering the proximity of Tripura to Bangladesh, it is more convenient for foreign nationals to enter Tripura via Bangladesh with an appropriate visa. Those foreign nationals coming to Dhaka or other cities of Bangladesh may come to Agartala via Akhaura border check post. Similarly, foreign nationals coming to Tripura by other routes could enter to Bangladesh via this route. If tourists coming via this route intimate the state Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (ICAT) Department in advance, either in writing or over phone, necessary arrangements in this regard can be made. The journey time by road between Dhaka and Agartala is approximately 3 (three) hours.<br /><br /><br /> Hotel Accommodation<br />There are various private hotels at Agartala as well as State Government Tourist lodges. In addition, at different tourist centres Tourist lodges of the state Government are available for tourists. The details are given below :-<br />GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION<br /><br />1.Sagar Mahal Tourist Lodge, Melaghar, Sonamura (44 bedded)<br />2. Raima Tourist lodge, Jatanbari, Amarpur (16 bedded)<br />3. Eden Tourist lodge, Bhangmun,Jampui hill (20 bedded).<br />4. Uttarmegh Tourist Lodge, Halflongcherra, Dharmanagar (24 bedded).<br />5. Matabari Pantha Niwas, Near Tripureswari temple, Udaipur (6 bedded).<br />6. Uttarayan Pantha Niwas, Near Railway Station, Kumarghat (12 bedded).<br />7. Rajarshi Yatri Niwas, Agartala (49 bedded).<br />8. Saheed Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel, Agartala .(32 bedded).<br />9. Gomati Yatri Niwas, Udaipur ( 24 bedded- Under construction)<br />10. Lembucherra Tourist lodge( 12 bedded - Under construction)<br />11. Tourist lodge at Phuldungsie, Jampui hill ( 24 bedded- under construction)<br />12. Way side amenity at Bagafa ( 6 bedded- under construction)<br />13. Way side amenity at panisagar ( 12 bedded- under construction)<br />14. Passenger oriented way side amenity at Kumarghat( 24 bedded- under construction)<br /><br />Private Hotels in Agartala with tariffs<br /><br />Name of the Hotel Single Double<br />Hotel Welcome Palace- 3 STAR<br />Hari Gnaga Basak Road, Agartala,<br />Phone : 0381-238-4940/<br />238-0219/ 238-3380/ 238-0864 Rs. 500/- Rs. 600/-<br />Rajarshi(Badshah Hotel & Resorts)<br />Phone :-(0381)-220-1034 Rs.350/- Rs.270/-<br />Hotel Radha International<br />54,Central Road, Agartala.<br />Phone :-(0381)- 222-4530/2615. Rs.100/- to 125/- Rs.175/- to 350/-.<br />Hotel Rajdhani,<br />B. K. Road, Agartala,<br />Phone :- (0381)-222-3387/6312. Rs.170/- to 290/-. Rs.250/- to 650/-.<br />Royal Guest House<br />Palace Compound, Agartala,<br />Phone:- (0381)-222-5652/5539 Rs.150/- to 350/- Rs.300/- to 450/-.<br />Hotel Haven<br />H.G.B.Road, Agartala.<br />Phone :- (0381)- 222-5737/3159. Rs.150/- to 240/- Rs.240 to 450/-.<br />Hotel Minakshi,<br />Hawkers Corner Road,Agartala.<br />Phone :- (0381)-222-3430/5810. Rs.50/- to 250/- Rs.70/- to 300/-.<br />Hotel Amber,<br />13,Sakuntala Road, Agartala.<br />Phone :-(0381)- 222-3587. Rs.75/- to 150/- Rs.150/- to 250/-.<br />Tripura Guest House,<br />Mantri Bari Road, Agartala.<br />Phone :- (0381)-222-7995/6529. Rs.100/- Rs.150/- to 250/-.<br />Deep Guest House,<br />L. N. Bari Road, Agartala.<br />Phone :-(0381)-222-7482. Rs.100/- Rs.180/-<br />Hotel Star<br />Phone :- (0381)- 220-3661. Rs.170/- to 350/- Rs.250/- to 450/-.<br />Central Guest House<br />76, Central Road, Agartala.<br />Phone :- (0381)- 222-3593. Rs. 55/- Rs. 110/-<br />Hotel City Centre<br />Approved By Ministry of Tourism Govt.of India<br />H.G.B.Road ,Madhyapara,Agartala<br />Phone:-(0381)-238-5270/238-5258<br />/238-5092/ 094361-28298 (M)<br />email:jaininn_pvtltd@hotmail.com<br /> jaininn_pvtltd@yahoo.co.in Rs.500 /- to Rs.1500/-<br />*10% Discount on all<br />*** The Tariff mentioned above are subject to revision from time to time.<br />Package tours<br />In order to facilitate the visit of tourists, State Government is organising various package and conducted tours at different circuits. Some of these package tours are the following :-<br /><br />Tour code Circuit Duration Fare per head<br /> By Bus By Taxi<br /> Adult Child Adult Child<br />PTC3Ex Calcutta-Agartala-Kumarghat-Jampui Hills-Unakoti-Agartala-Calcutta 6 days 5 nights Rs.1785/- 1200/- 2375/- 1600/-<br />PTC4Ex Calcutta-Agartala-Neermahal-Udaipur- Sepahijala -Arkaneer-Kamalasagar-Agartala-Calcutta 4 days 3 night Rs.900/- 600/- 1275/- 850/-<br />PTC5Ex Calcutta-Agartala-Neermahal-Udaipur- Sepahijala-Arkaneer-Kamalasagar-Agartala -Jampui Hills-Unakoti-Agartala-Calcutta 8 days 7 night. Rs.2335/- 1560/- 3140/- 2100/-<br />Orange Package Ex-Calcutta-Agartala-Jampui Hills-Unakoti -Agartala-Calcutta (November-December) 7 days 6 nights Rs.2375/- 1600 3075/- 2050/-<br />** Package excludes Air fare, entry fee & boat fare.<br />** Rates includes Transportation, Accommodation, Guide fee and Service charges.<br />** Child fare applicable to children between 3-12 years.<br /><br />In addition special packages for foreign nationals have been made which are given below :-<br />Package Circuit Duration Fare (Ex Calcutta) Fare (Ex-Agartala)<br />HERITAGE PACKAGE Calcutta-Agartala- Neermahal-Sepahijala-<br />Agt-Calcutta. 4 days &3 nights US $ 395(Couple) US $ 260(Single) US $ 215(Couple)<br />US $ 165(Single)<br />EDEN PACKAGE Calcutta - Agartala -Unakoti-Jampui-Agt-<br />Calcutta. 6 days & 5 nights US $ 530(Couple) US $ 370(Single) US $ 345(Couple)<br />US $ 275(Single)<br />GREEN PACKAGE Calcutta - Agartala -Unakoti-Jampui-<br />Neermahal-Agt-Calcutta. 7 days & 6 nights US $ 580(Couple)<br />US $ 420(Single) US $ 410(Couple) - . US $ 330(Single)<br />* * The above packages( ex- Calcutta) include to and fro air fair in economy class between Agartala and Calcutta Which is subject to revision, Accommodation in State government managed Tourist lodges, Transportation within Tripura by tourist taxi, Food( Breakfast, Lunch, dinner and evening tea ) and Guide. Packages (ex- Agartala) include all other items mentioned above except Air fair between Agartala and Calcutta.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Conducted Tours<br />The State Government organises various conducted tours details of which are given below:-<br />Tour code Circuit Fare per head<br />CTA1. Agartala-Sepahijala-BhuvaneshwariTemple-Matabari- Agartala Rs.52/-<br />CTA2. Agartala-Sepahijala-Neermahal-Agartala Rs.48/-<br />CTA3. Agartala-Matabari-Neermahal-Agartala Rs.62/-<br />CTA4. Agartala-Kamalasagar-Sepahijala-Agartala Rs.40/-<br />CTA5. Agartala-Kamalasagar-Neermahal-Agartala Rs.52/-<br />CTA6. Agartala-Jampui-Agartala (2 nights halt) Rs.215/-<br />CTA7. Agartala-Unakoti-Jampui-Agartala (2 nights halt) Rs.255/-<br />CTA8. Agartala-Matabari-Dumboor-Agartala ( 1 night halt) Rs.105/-<br />CTA9. Agartala-Sepahijala-Matabari-Neermahal-<br />Kamalasagar- Agartala (1 night halt) Rs.52/-<br />(one night halt)<br />CTU1. Udaipur-Neermahal-Sepahijala-Udaipur Rs.48/-<br />CTU2. Udaipur-Kamalasagar-Agartala-Udaipur Rs.60/-<br />** Rates includes Transportation, Guide fee and Service charges. These tours are being organised with the coaches of departments as well as travel agencies.<br /><br />ICAT Department organises number of conducted and package tours for tourists which are very economical.Mofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-67283936269234389622008-08-02T07:38:00.000-07:002008-08-02T07:53:05.032-07:00NagalandNagaland<br />Geography and climate<br />Nagaland is largely a mountainous state. The Naga Hills rise from the Brahmaputra Valley in Assam to about 2,000 feet and rise further to the southeast, as high as 6,000 feet. Mount Saramati at an elevation of 12,552level is the state's highest peak - this is where the Naga Hills merge with the Patkai Range in Myanmar. Rivers such as the Doyang and Dhiku to the north, the Barak river in the southwest and the Chindwin river of Myanmar in the southeast, dissect the entire state.<br />Nagaland is rich in flora and fauna. About one-sixth of Nagaland is under the cover of tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests - including palms, bamboo and rattan as well as timber and mahogany forests. While some forest areas have been cleared for jhum - cultivation - many scrub forests, high grass, reeds and secondary dogs, pangolins, porcupines, elephants, leopards, bears, many species of monkeys, sambar, deers, oxen and buffaloes thrive across the state's forests. The Great Indian Hornbill is one of the most famous birds found in the state.<br />Nagaland has a largely monsoon climate with high humidity levels. Annual rainfall averages around 70-100 inches - concentrated in the months of May to September. Temperatures range from 70 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter, temperatures don't generally drop below 39 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost is common at high elevations.<br />Transportation<br />The railway network in the state is minimal. The length of broad gauge lines is 7.63 km, while that of the metre gauge lines is only 5.22 km. The length of National Highway roads is 365.38 km and state roads is 1094 km. There is one airport in dimapur and another is being planned for Kohima, the state capital.<br />National Highways with the towns served:<br />National Highways:<br />Length: 365.38 km<br />• NH-61 - Kohima, Wokha, Tseminyu, Wokha, Mokokchung, Changtongya, Tuli<br />• NH-39 - Kohima, Dimapur, Chumukedima, Medziphema<br />• NH-36 - Dimapur<br />State Highways<br />Length: 1094.60 km<br />• Chakabama-Mokokchung Via Chazuba and Zunheboto<br />• Kohima-Meluri<br />• Mokokchung-Mariani<br />• Mokokchung-Tuensang<br />• Namtola-Mon<br />• Tuensang-Mon-Naginimora<br />• Tuensang-Kiphiri-Meluri<br />• Wokha-Merapani Road<br />[Source: Office of The Chief Engineer, P.W.D., Kohima, Nagaland]<br />Airways<br />• Name of the airport - Dimapur<br />• Distance from the State Capital - 70.0 km<br />• Town Nearest to the Airport - Dimapur<br />For further details, refer Dimapur airport<br />Nagaland is very rich in bio-diversity, both flora and fauna. Even today some pockets of forests are covered with gigantic trees, where sun- rays can not penetrate. Due to reckless and uncontrolled cutting of trees for timber, firewood, continued Jhum cultivation and annual fire in vast tracts of land, forests got degraded and barren, which accelerated diminishing of the most of the original characteristics of the forests.<br />Though geographically being a small state, Nagaland has several types of forests, mainly because the state is mostly Tropical, and the altitudes range from a few hundred meters to about four thousand meters. The major types of forests found in the state, as per the classification of Champion & Seth, are as follows.<br />1. Northern Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests.<br />2. Northern Tropical Semi- Evergreen Forests<br />3. Northern Sub- Tropical Broad Leave Wet Hill Forests<br />4. Northern Sub-Tropical Pine Forests<br /> 5. Northern Montana Wet Temperate Forests &<br /> 6.Temperate Forests. <br />FLORA:<br />CONIFEROUS:<br />Pinus khasyia(Indigenous), Pinus caribiae (Exotic),Pinus petula and Cryptomeria japonica (Exotic)<br />BROAD LEAVED:<br /> Lagerstromia speciosa (Ajhar), Tectona grandis (Teak), Mangifera indica (Am), Alnus nepalensis (Alder), Morus laevigata (Bola), Tetrameles nudiflora (Bhelu), Trewia nudiflora (Bhelkar), Betula alnoides (Betula), Canarium resiniferum (Dhuna), Gmelina arborea (Gomari), Cinnamomum cecicodaphne (Gonsoroi), Nyssa javanica (Gahorisopa), Terminalia myriocarpa (Hollock), Adina eligocephala (Haldisopa),Cedrela toona (Jatipoma), Podocarpus nerifolia (Jinari), Altingia exelsa (Jutuli), Duabanga grandiflora(Khokon), Albizzia procera (Koroi), Anthocephalus kadamba (Kadam), Shorea assamica (Mekai), Endospermum chinensis (Phulgomari), / Melia azadirach (Ghoora-Neem), Stereospermum chelonoides (Paroli), Magnolia spp. (Sopas), Cassia fistula (Sonaru), Bombax ceiba (Semal), Ficus nervosa (Robar), Spondias axillaris(Hog plum), Michelia champaca (Titasopa), Bischofia javanica (Uriam), Juglans regia (Walnut), Mansonia dipikai (Badam), Phoebe goalparensis (Bonsom), Dipterocarpus macrocarpus (Hollang), Terminalia chebula (Hilika), Schima wallichii (Gogra), Mesua ferrea (Nahar), Albizzia lebbeck (Siris), Quercus Spp. (Oaks), Artocarpus chaplasha Sam), Chukrasia tabularis (Bogipoma), Terminilia bellerica (Bahera). Hovenia dulcis(Coral tree), Acrocarpus fraxinifolius(Mandani), Bucklandia populnea(Pipli), Pseudostreblus indicus(Tsüngkoh)<br />World tallest Rhododendron tree, which is recorded in the Guineese Book, has been found in Japfu Mountain of Kohima district.<br />MEDICINAL PLANTS.<br />Panax pseudo-gensing (Gensing), Taxus baccata (Yew), Aquilaria agallocha (Agar),Solanum khasianum, Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Aegle marmelos (Bel), Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpgandha), Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudraksha), Dioscorea deltoides (Kath Aloo), Emblica officinalis (Amla), Swertia chirata (Chirata), Rubia cordifolia, Oroxylum indicum, Clerodendrum colebrookianum, Passiflora edulis<br /> BAMBOO :<br />There are 22 species of Bamboos available in the state. The important spp.of bamboo are:<br />1. Sinarundinaria griffithiana (Munro) Chao & Renv.<br /> ( Arundinaria griffithiana Munro) Saramati<br />2. Sinarundinaria elegans (Kurz) Chao & Renv. <br /> ( Arundinaria elegans Kurz) Puliebadze, near Kohima.<br />3. Sinarundinaria rolloana (Gamble) Chao & Renv.<br /> ( Arundinaria rolloana Gamble) Japfü Range, Kohima.<br />4. Sinarundinaria nagalandiana Naithani Niriyo Peak, Wokha. <br />5. Chimonobambusa callosa (Munro) Nakai<br /> ( Arundinaria callosa (Munro) Puliebadze above Kohima and Mao. <br />6. Neomicrocalamus prainii (Gamble) Keng f.<br /> (Arundinaria prainii Gamble) Puliebadze, Japfü Range. <br />7. Bambusa balcooa Roxb. Wokha<br />8. Bambusa tulda Roxb. Kohima, Jaluki<br />9. Bambusa palliada Munro Wokha, Kohima and Zeliang village<br />10. Dendrocalamus hookeri Munro Kohima, Wokha<br />11. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees et Arn ex Munro<br /> Dimapur-Kohima Road, and Wokha<br />12. Dendrocalamus giganteus Munro Kohima, Mao. <br />13. Dendrocalamus calostachys (Kurz) Kurz<br /> Phikrokezema, Dimapur and Kohima<br />14. Schizostachyum polymorphum (Munro) Majumdar<br /> (Pseudostachyum polymorphum Munro) Longsachu near Wokha<br />15. Schizostachyum dullooa (Gamble) Majumdar<br /> ( Teinostachyum dullooa Gamble) Yikum near Wokha<br />16. Schizostachyum fuchsianum (Gamble) Majumdar<br /> (Cephalostachyum fuchsianum Gamble) Kohima, Zulhama-Kilomi <br /> 17. Melocanna baccifera (Roxb.) Kurz. ( M. bambusoides Trin.) Jaluki<br />CANES:<br />1. Calamus rotang<br />2. Calamus flagellum<br />3 Calamus erectus<br />4. Calamus gracilis<br />5. Calamus floribundus <br />ORCHIDS:<br />Nagaland has about 340 spp. out of 1250 spp. of orchids found in India. Most of the Orchids here are epiphytes or lithophytes. A few terrestrial orchids are also found in the state.<br />S.NO NAME<br />1 Acampa papillosa<br />2 Acampa rigida<br />3 Acampa wightiana<br />4 Acanthephippium striatum<br />5 Acanthephippium sylhetense<br />6 Aerides crassifolium<br />7 Aerides fieldingii<br />8 Aerides multiflorum<br />9 Aerides odoratum<br />10 Anoectochilus crispus<br />11 Anoectochilus elwesil<br />12 Anoectochilus grandiflorus<br />13 Anoectochilus griffithi<br />14 Anoectochilus roxburghii<br />15 Anthogonium gracile<br />16 Aphyllorchis montana<br />17 Aphyllorchis prainii<br />18 Appendicula cornuata<br />19 Arachis bilinguis<br />20 Arachis cathcartii<br />21 Arundina graminifolia<br />22 Ascocentrum ampullaceum<br />23 Ascocentrum curvifolium<br />24 Ascocentrum micranthum<br />25 Ascocentrum miniatum<br />26 Brachycorythis obcordata<br />27 Bulbophyllum aculiflorum<br />28 Bulbophyllum affine<br />29 Bulbophyllum andersonii<br />30 Bulbophyllum careyanum<br />31 Bulbophyllum caudatum<br />32 Bulbophyllum cylindraceum<br />33 Bulbophyllum dyeranum<br />34 Bulbophyllum elatum<br />35 Bulbophyllum eulepharum<br />36 Bulbophyllum gambeiel<br />37 Bulbophyllum guttulatum<br />38 Bulbophyllum gymnopus<br />39 Bulbophyllum helenae<br />40 Bulbophyllum hirtum<br />41 Bulbophyllum hymenanthum<br />42 Bulbophyllum leopardinum<br />43 Bulbophyllum leptanthum<br />44 Bulbophyllum odoratissimum<br />45 Bulbophyllum ornatissimum<br />46 Bulbophyllum pencillium<br />47 Bulbophyllum piluliferum<br />48 Bulbophyllum polyrhizum<br />49 Bulbophyllum reptans<br />50 Bulbophyllum rigidum<br />51 Bulbophyllum rothschildianum<br />52 Bulbophyllum roxburghii<br />53 Bulbophyllum secundum<br />54 Bulbophyllum striatum<br />55 Bulbophyllum umbellatum<br />56 Bulbophyllum uniflorum<br />57 Bulbophyllum viridiforum<br />58 Bulbophyllum wallichi<br />59 Calanthe alismifolia<br />60 Calanthe alpina<br />61 Calanthe angusta<br />62 Calanthe biloba<br />63 Calanthe brevicornu<br />64 Calanthe chloroleuca<br />65 Calanthe clavate<br />66 Calanthe densiflora<br />67 Calanthe foestermannii<br />68 Calanthe gracilis<br />69 Calantheherbacea<br />70 Calanthe manni<br />71 Calanthe musuca<br />72 Calanthe plantaginea<br />73 Calanthe puberula<br />74 Calanthe tricarinata<br />75 Calanthe triplicata<br />76 Calanthe vaginata<br />77 Calanthe vestita<br />78 Calanthe whiteana<br />79 Cephalanthera ongifolia<br />80 Ceratostylis himalaica<br />81 Ceratostylis teres<br />82 Cheirostylis griffithii<br />83 Cheirostylis pusilla<br />84 Cleisocentron trichromum<br />85 Cleisostoma aspersum<br />86 Cleisostoma filliforme<br />87 Cleisostoma simondii<br />88 Cleisostoma striatum<br />89 Cleisostoma subulatum<br />90 Cleisostoma racemiferum<br />91 Coelogyne barbata<br />92 Coelogyne corymbosa<br />93 Coelogyne cristata<br />94 Coelogyne flaccida<br />95 Coelogyne fuscescens<br />96 Coelogyne griffithi<br />97 Coelogyne hitendrae<br />98 Coelogyne longipes<br />99 Coelogyne micrantha<br />100 Coelogyne nitida<br />101 Coelogyne occuitata<br />102 Coelogyne ovalis<br />103 Coelogyne prolifera<br />104 Coelogyne punctulata<br />105 Coelogyne raizada<br />106 Coelogyne rigida<br />107 Coelogyne schultesii<br />108 Coelogyne stricta<br />109 Coelogyne viscosa<br />110 Corymborkis veratrifolia<br />111 Cremastra wallichiana<br />112 Cryptochilus lutea<br />113 Cryptochilus sanguineus<br />114 Cymbidium aloifolium<br />115 Cymbidium cochleare<br />116 Cymbidium devonianum<br />117 Cymbidium elegans<br />118 Cymbidium ensifolium<br />119 Cymbidium eburneum<br />120 Cymbidium iridioidea<br />121 Cymbidium lancifolium<br />122 Cymbidium longifolium<br />123 Cymbidium lowianum<br />124 Cymbidium macrorhizon<br />125 Cymbidium mastersii<br />126 Cymbidium pendulam<br />127 Cymbidium tigrinum<br />128 Cymbidium tracyanum<br />129 Dendrobium acinaciforme<br />130 Dendrobium anceps<br />131 Dendrobium aphyllum<br />132 Dendrobium bensoniae<br />133 Dendrobium bicameratum<br />134 Dendrobium candidum<br />135 Dendrobium chrysanthum<br />136 Dendrobium chrystoxum<br />137 Dendrobium crepidatum<br />138 Dendrobium densiflorum<br />139 Dendrobium denudans<br />140 Dendrobium devonianum<br />141 Dendrobium eriaeflorum<br />142 Dendrobium falconeri<br />143 Dendrobium farmeri<br />144 Dendrobiumfimbriatum<br />145 Dendrobium formosum<br />146 Dendrobium gibsonil<br />147 Dendrobium heterocarpum<br />148 Dendrobium hookerianum<br />149 Dendrobium infundibulam<br />150 Dendrobium jenkinsii<br />151 Dendrobium lindleyi<br />152 Dendrobium longicornu<br />153 Dendrobium moschatum<br />154 Dendrobium nobile<br />155 Dendrobium ochreatum<br />156 Dendrobium porphyrochilum<br />157 Dendrobium primulinum<br />158 Dendrobium pulchellum<br />159 Dendrobium stuposum<br />160 Dendrobium terminata<br />161 Dendrobium thysiflorum<br />162 Dendrobium transparens<br />163 Dendrobium wardianum<br />164 Dendrobium williamsonii<br />165 Diplomeria hirsuta<br />166 Diplomeria pulchelia<br />167 Diplomeria championi<br />168 Epigeneium amplum<br />169 Epigeneium fuscescens<br />170 Epigeneium rotundatum<br />171 Eria acevata<br />172 Eria alba<br />173 Eria amica<br />174 Eria bambusifolia<br />175 Eria biflora<br />176 Eria bractesces<br />177 Eria coronaria<br />178 Eria dasyphylla<br />179 Eria excavata<br />180 Eria graminifolia<br />181 Eria muscicola<br />182 Eria paniculata<br />183 Eria pannea<br />184 Eria spicata<br />185 Eria stricta<br />186 Eria vittata<br />187 Eulophia bicallosa<br />188 Eulophia graminea<br />189 Eulophia nuda<br />190 Flickingeria fimbriata<br />191 Flickingeria fugax<br />192 Galeola falconeri<br />193 Galeola lindleyana<br />194 Gastrochilus acutifolium<br />195 Gastrochilus calceolaris<br />196 Gastrochilus distichus<br />197 Gastrochilus inconspicuum<br />198 Gastrochilus pseudodisticus<br />199 Geodorum densiflorum<br />200 Goodyera foliosa<br />201 Goodyera fusca<br />202 Goodyera hispida<br />203 Goodyera procera<br />204 Goodyera repens<br />205 Goodyera schiechtendaliana<br />206 Goodyera secundiflora<br />207 Goodyera viridiflora<br />208 Habennaria acuifera<br />209 Habennaria dentata<br />210 Habennaria ensifolia<br />211 Habennaria furcifera<br />212 Habennaria intermedia<br />213 Habennaria malleifera<br />214 Habennaria pactinata<br />215 Habennaria stenopetala<br />216 Herminium lanceum<br />217 Herminium macrophyllum<br />218 Herminium monorchis<br />219 Hetaeria rubens<br />220 Hygrochilus parishii<br />221 Kingidium deliciosum<br />212 Kingidium taenialis<br />213 Liparis assamica<br />214 Liparis bistriate<br />215 Liparis biturberculata<br />216 Liparis bootanensis<br />217 Liparis caespitosa<br />218 Liparis cordifolia<br />219 Liparis delicatula<br />220 Liparis distans<br />221 Liparis longipes<br />222 Liparis nervosa<br />223 Liparis odorata<br />224 Liparis pardoxa<br />225 Liparis petiolata<br />226 Liparis plantaginea<br />227 Liparis platyrachis<br />228 Liparis pulchella<br />229 Liparis resupina<br />230 Liparis viridiflora<br />231 Luisia inconspicua<br />232 Luisia prachystachys<br />233 Luisia prachystachys<br />234 Luisia teritifolia<br />235 Luisia trichorhiza<br />236 Luisia zeylanica<br />237 Malaxis acuminata<br />238 Malaxis biaurita<br />239 Malaxis cylindroatachya<br />240 Malaxis josephiana<br />241 Malaxis khasiana<br />242 Malaxis latifolia<br />243 Micropera mannii<br />244 Micropera rostrata<br />245 Monomera barbata<br />246 Neogyne gardneriana<br />247 Neotianthe secundiflora<br />248 Neottia listeroides<br />249 Nephelaphyllum cordifolium<br />250 Nervilia aragoana<br />251 Nervilia prainiana<br />252 Oberonia acaulis<br />253 Oberonia clarkel<br />254 Oberonia ensiformis<br />255 Oberonia griffithiana<br />256 Oberonia iridifolia<br />257 Oberonia longilabris<br />258 Oberonia mannii<br />259 Oberonia micrantha<br />260 Oberonia obcordata<br />261 Oberonia orbicularis<br />262 Oberonia pachyrachis<br />263 Oberonia pyrulifera<br />264 Oberonia recurva<br />265 Oreochis foliosa<br />266 Ornithochilus difformis<br />267 Otochilus alba<br />268 Otochilus fusca<br />269 Otochilus lancilabius<br />270 Pachystoma senile<br />271 Panasia unifllora<br />272 Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum<br />273 Papiopedilum insigne<br />274 Paplionanthe longicornu<br />275 Paplionanthe teres<br />276 Pecteilis gigantea<br />277 Pecteilis susannae<br />278 Pelanthanthera insectifera<br />279 Perisrtylus affinis<br />280 Perisrtylus chloranthus<br />281 Perisrtylus constictus<br />282 Perisrtylus densus<br />283 Perisrtylus falla<br />284 Perisrtylus goodyeroides<br />285 Perisrtylus mannii<br />286 Perisrtylus prainii<br />287 Phalus flabus<br />288 Phalus longipes<br />289 Phalus mishmensis<br />290 Phalus tankervilliae<br />291 Pholidota articulata<br />292 Pholidota calceolata<br />293 Pholidota convallariae<br />294 Pholidota grifithii<br />295 Pholidota imbricata<br />296 Pholidota imbricata<br />297 Pholidota imbrcata<br />298 Pholidota protacta<br />299 Pholidota rubra<br />300 Phreatia elegans<br />301 Platanthera arcuata<br />302 Platanthera stenantha<br />303 Pleione hookeriana<br />304 Pleione humilis<br />305 Pleione maculata<br />306 Pleione praecox<br />307 Poneoorchis chusua<br />308 Pteroceras suaveolens<br />309 Renanthera imschootiana<br />310 Rhynchostylis retuasa<br />311 Robiquetia succisa<br />312 Satyrium napalense<br />313 Schoenorchis gemmata<br />314 Smitinandia micrantha<br />315 Spathoglottis ixioides<br />316 Spathoglottis plicata<br />317 Spathoglottis pubescens<br />318 Spiranthes sinense<br />319 Sunipia bicolor<br />320 Sunipia candida<br />321 Thelasis longlifolia<br />322 Taeniophyllum khasianum<br />323 Thunia alba<br />324 Thunia marshlliana<br />325 Tropidia curculigoides<br />326 Tylostyles discolor<br />327 Uncifera acuminata<br />328 Uncifera obtusifolia<br />329 Vanda alpina<br />330 Vanda bicolor<br />331 Vanda coerulea<br />332 Vanda cristata<br />333 Vanda pumila<br />334 Vanda tesselata<br />335 Vanda testacea<br />336 Vanda undulata<br />337 Vandopsis vandarum<br />338 Yoania prainii<br />339 Zeuxine abbreviata<br />340 Zeuxine flava<br />341 Zeuxine goodyeroides<br />342 Zeuxine gracilis<br />343 Zeuxine nervosa<br />344 Zeuxine strateumatica<br /><br />FAUNA<br />A.MAMMALS<br /> Common Name Scientific Name <br />1. Asian Elephant Elephas maximus.<br />2. Gaur (Indian Bison) Bos gaurus.<br />3. Jackal Canis aurius<br />4. Tiger Panthera tigris.<br />5. Sambar Cervus unicolor<br />6. Leopard Panthera pardus.<br />7. Barking Deer Muntaiqus muntijak<br />8. Wild boar. Sus scrofa<br />9. Sloth Bear Melursus arsinus<br />10. Serow Capricornis sumatraensis<br />11. Hoolock Hylobatus hoolock<br />12. Common Langur Presbytis antillus<br />13. Macaque Macaca spp. <br />14. Leopard Cat. Filis bengalensis<br />15. Himalayan Squirrel Callosciuras pygerythru <br />16. Pangolin. Manis crasicaudata<br />17. Civet. Vivirra Spp.<br />18. Wolf Canis auririus<br />19. Fruit bat Cynoptirus sphinx<br />20. Porcupine Hystrix indica<br />21. Hispis hare Caprogus hispisdus<br />22. Slow Loris Nycticebus causeang<br />23. Otter Lutra lutra<br />24. Wild Dog Cuon alpinus<br />25. Orange billed Himalyan Squirrel Cirrus unicolor <br />26. Mangoose Herpester spp.<br />27. Musk Deer. Moschus moschiferous.<br />28. Binturong Arctictis binturong<br />29. Jungle cat Filis chaus.<br />30. Mole rat Bandicota bengalensis<br />31. Indian hare Lypus nigricolis.<br />32. Martin Martis spp.<br />33. House Mouse Mus musculus<br />34. Field Mouse Mus booduga<br />35. Goral Nemarahidus goral<br />36. Clouded Leopard Niofolis nibulosa<br />37. Palm Civet Paguna larvata<br />38. Wood cat Rattus blaufardi<br />39. House cat Rattus rattus<br />40. Fulvous fruit bat Tousettus leschinuitas<br />41. Indian fox Vulpis bengalensin<br />B.REPTILES:<br />Common Name Scientific Name<br />Monitor lizard Tortoise<br />Python ( reticulate) King cobra<br />Common krait Banded krait<br />Viper Common cobra<br />C. BIRDS <br />Common Name Scientific Name<br />Greyheaded fishing eagle Ichuophaga nana<br />Crested serpent eagle pilernia cleala<br />Bearded vulture Gypactus barbatus<br />Forest eagle owl Bubo nipalensis<br />Collared pigmy owlet Tus bakkameena<br />Collared scope owl Laucidium brodei<br />Tragopan Tragopan blythii<br />Kaleej Pheasants Lophura leucemelona<br />Common hill patridge Arboraphila forqueola<br />Common pheasants Entropus simensia<br />Red Jungle fowl Gallus gallus<br />Peacock pheasants Polyplectron bicalcaratum<br />Pintailed green pigeons Treron apicauda<br />Rutous turtle dove Streptopolia orientalia<br />Marrnbacked imperial pigeon Ducula badia<br />Emarald dove Chalcophapa indica<br />Himalayan Jungle nightjar Caprimulgus indicus<br />Indian roller Coracias bengalensis<br />Chestnut threaded bee-eater Morapa leschanaulti<br />Bluethreated barbet Mengalaima lineata<br />Great barbet Megalaima virens<br />Great pied hornbill Buceros bicornis<br />Rufousnecked hornbill Aceros nipalensis<br />Goldenbacked throated woodepecker Dimopium shorii<br />Darjeeling pied woodpecker Picoides darjellensis<br />Redaered by woodpecker Lythipicus pyrrhotis<br />Bluenapped pitta Pitta nepanlensis<br />Mrs. Gould’s sunbird Aethopyga gapldinale<br />Nepal Yellow backed sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis<br />Black breasted sunbird Aethopyga saturata<br />Firetailed yellow backed sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda<br />Longtailed broadbill Serilophus lunatus<br />Red drumped swallow Hirundedaurice<br />Tyflers swallow Hirunderustice tyleri<br />Balcknapped ariole Oriolus chinesis<br />Himalayan tree pie Dendrocitta formosee<br />Bronzed drongo Dicrurus aeneus<br />Large brown thrush Zoothera menticola<br />Lesser racket-tailed drongo Dicrurus renifer<br />Large racket tailed drongo Dicrurus paradiseau<br />Black drongo Dicrurus adaimilis<br />Grey drongo Dicrurus leucephaecus<br />Clouded Leopard Niofolis nibulosa<br /> <br />The endangered species- both flora and fauna in Nagaland and measures taken by the Government to protect them and prevent extinction.<br />The local population being are intricately involved with the forests for their sustenance, be it agriculture, timber, small, timber, day to day use items or medicinal plants etc. These forest products are also their main source of economy. Therefore, when the main stay of the people is dependent on forest, destruction of forests is imminent and thereby endangering many valuable species. Due to the primitive method/ practice of cultivation (i.e slash burning) the rich Biodiversity of the state is dwindling year by year.<br />Most of species, both flora and fauna, appears to be endangered due to heavy biotic pressure/ interference and reckless deforestation. Their details are as follows.<br />FLORA:<br /> Dipterocarpous macrocarpous (Hollong), Shorea assamica ( Makai) , Rodhodendron Spp. , Mesua ferra (Nahar), are rare and endangered spp. Panax gensing (Gensing) is found only in Tuensang district at higher altitude. It is endangered. Aquilaria agallocha (Agar )is also a endangered species. Rare and Endangered species of Orchids available in Nagaland are as follows,<br />Thunia 1 spp, Arundinaria graminifolia ( Bamboo orchid), Renenthera (Red vanda), ,Rhynchostylis ( fox tail), Pleoni, Phauis (ground orchid) 2 spp, Paphiopedilum 1 spp, Cymbidium tigrinum 1 spp.<br />The Govt. is taking measures for propagation conservation and protection of these spp. through different afforestation schemes.<br />FAUNA:<br />The largest Asian mammal, Elephant is endangered spp. The other endangered spps are Melurses ursinus (Sloth Bear ), Prionodon pardicolor (Spotted linsang, Tiger-civet), Panthera tigris (Tiger) , Macaca assamensis (Tailed Pig). The Gaur, or Indian Bison in habitats in Intangki National Park and Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary and other hilly areas is facing extinction from Nagaland The different Horn bills and Tortoise are also endangered. <br />BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN<br />Recently (i.e. on 27.2.2002) the department and NEHU (Shillong) has conducted workshop in Dimapur on state level Biodiversity strategy and action plan for conservation and protection of various ecosystems. During workshop people from all walks of society have participated and a draft action plan has been prepared.<br />RHODODENDRON<br /> <br />The largest species of rhododendron is the scarlet Rhododendron arboreum, examples of which reach a height of 65 feet(19.8 m) on Mount Japfu. Nagaland, India<br /> THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS 1988<br /><br />1.Status of Nagaland Forest as on 31.01.2001 -<br />Out of the total land area of 16,57,583, hectares, forests occupy an area of approximately 8,62,930 ha -<br />Legal Status : Forests Areas (Ha) % of Total Forest Area <br />(a) Reserved Forests 8583 1<br />(b) Purchased Forests 19247 2.3<br />(c) Protected Forests 50756 5.9<br />(d) Wildlife Sanctuary 22237 2.6<br />(e) Village Forests<br />i. Virgin Forests 477827 55.4<br />ii. Degraded Forests 284280 32.9<br /> ________________________<br /> 862930 100<br />2. Ownership:<br />a) State 100823 11.7%<br />b) Co-operative - -<br />c) Private 762107 88.3%<br />3.Classification of forests<br /> The details of various classes of forest types in the State during 2000-2001 are as under -<br />3.1. Forest area under Government control <br />(I) Reserved Forests -<br />a) Kohima Division (Rangapahar) 6,226.00 ha. <br />b) Mon Division (Singphan) 2,357.00 ha. <br /> ____________<br /> Total 8,583.00 ha.<br />(ii) Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park<br />a) Intanki - Kohima District 20,202.00 ha.<br />b) Puliebadze - Kohima District 923.00 ha.<br />c) Fakim - Tuensang District 642.00 ha.<br />d) Rangapahar - Dimapur District 470.00 ha.<br /> _____________<br /> Total - 22,237.00 ha<br />3.2. Protected Forest<br />I. Kohima District<br />1. Jaluki Protected Forest 414.40 ha<br />II. Phek District<br />1. Shilloi 8,857.80 ha.<br />2. Sangtam-Kuki 8,401.97 ha.<br />3. Athumza 1,472.00 ha.<br />4. Chipoketami 2,000.00 ha. <br /> Total - 20,731.77 ha.<br />III. Zunheboto District<br />1. Aochaklimi 62.16 ha<br />2. Suruhoto 138.57 ha<br />3. Lizatomi 146.00 ha.<br />4. Sapotami 32.00 ha.<br />5. Khamannbato 266.77 ha.<br /> Total - 645.50 ha.<br />IV. Mokokchung District<br />1. Chubi 134.68 ha.<br />2. Minkong 275.32 ha<br />3. Longsa 18.00 ha.<br /> Total - 428.00 ha.<br />V. Wokha District <br />1. Wokha 323.75 ha.<br />2. Aitepyong 233.10 ha.<br />3. Yikhum 42.00 ha.<br /> Total - 598.85<br />VI. Tuensang District<br />1. Chessore 160.58 ha<br />2. Saramati 362.60 ha.<br />3. Konya 450.00 ha.<br /> Total - 973.18 ha.<br /> Grand Total 23791.70 ha.<br /> <br />4.Purchased Forests<br />Since the area under Government control in the state is very limited and quite inadequate for a mountainous state like Nagaland, the Department has purchased some forest land from private owners to take up plantations.<br />The total land purchased by the Department is 19222.44 ha. District-wise area of land purchased by the Department up to 2000-2001 is indicated below - <br />a) Kohima and Dimapur District 5,008.93 ha.<br />b) Mokokchung District 4,538.87 ha.<br />c) Wokha District 773.06 ha.<br />d) Zunheboto District 40.00 ha.<br />e) Phek District 757.27 ha.<br />f) Tuensang District 836.61 ha.<br />g) Mon District 7,292.26 ha.<br /> ________________<br /> Grant Total - 19,247.00 ha<br />5. Comparative situation of forest cover in 1999 and 1997 ( in Sq. Km.)<br /> <br /> 1999 Assessment 1997 Assessment Change<br /> <br /> 14,164 14,221 -57<br /> <br />6.Actual forest cover by density classes ( in Sq. Km.) in 1999 -<br /> <br /> Dense forest Open forests Total<br /> (Crown density (Crown density Forest<br /> 40%&above) below 40% ) cover<br /> 5137 9027 14164<br />7. Scrub Land and Non- Forest areas ( in Sq. Km.) in 1999 -<br /> Scrub Non - Forest<br /> 14 2401<br />8.District-wise Forest Cover in Nagaland (in Sq. Km.) in 1997 <br /> District Geographical<br />area Forest cover<br />Dense/Open<br /> Forest Total Change Compared to 1995 Scrub<br />1. Kohima 4041 1775 1797 3572 + 278 14<br />2. Mon 1786 651 857 1508 -91 0<br />3. Mokokokchung. 1615 197 1140 1337 -68 0<br />4. Phek 2026 542 1154 1696 -83 0<br />5. Tuensang 4228 1247 2110 3357 -242 0<br />6. Wokha 1628 390 1189 1579 +106 0<br />7. Zunheboto 1255 335 780 1115 +43 <br />Total 16579 5137 9027 14164 -57 14<br />9.Growing stock volume per hectares and Annual Increment -<br /> (As per Forest Survey of Indian Report 1995 )<br /> Growing Stock Volume/Ha Annual increment<br />(Million cum) (in cum) (0,000cum)<br /> 94,887 66.1 1903<br />10. Stratum-wise estimated Growing Stocks of Forests as per 1995 F S I Report-<br />Hard Wood Mixed Bamboo Miscellaneous<br />with conifer ( Cum ) ( Cum ) ( Cum )<br />114000 1077000 93696000<br />11. National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries<br />National Park Wildlife sanctuaries<br />Area (in Sq. Km) Area (in Sq. Km)<br /> 202.02 34.5<br />(Source: The State Forest report 1997 and 199<br />12. FINANCIAL RESULTS.<br /> 12.1Revenue<br /> As per the National Forests Policy, Forestry is to be regarded as a ‘Welfare Activity’ necessary for the survival of mankind. The revenue from Forestry Sector shall be only incidental. The State Government has by and large followed this policy. The amount of forests revenue collected during the period from 1985-86 to 1999-2000 is given below - <br /> Year Revenue ( In Rs Lakhs )<br />1985-86 531.56<br /> 1986-87 608.73<br />1987-88 645.91<br />1988-89 557.31<br />1989-90 473.00<br />1990-91 508.85<br />1991-92 541.48<br />1992-93 351.00<br />1993-94 306.38<br />1994-95 220.75<br />1995-96 275.10<br />1996-97 152.53<br />1997-98 123.02<br />1998-99 291.83<br /> 1999-2000 166.28<br /> 12.2.Expenditure<br />Particulars of expenditure under both plan and non plan grant during the period of 1985-86 to 1999-2000 as shown below :<br /> <br /> Year Plan<br /> (Rs in Lakh)<br /> Non-Plan.<br /> (Rs in Lakh)<br /> <br />1985-86 381.96 337.48<br />1986-87 475.96 292.16<br />1987-88 390.83 303.43<br />1988-89 575.00 365.35<br />1989-90 663.00 365.00<br />1990-91 490.89 312.31<br />1991-92 489.35 341.01<br />1992-93 124.24 303.79<br />1993-94 349.86 355.98<br />1994-95 152.27 329.94<br />1995-96 369.26 688.57<br />1996-97 432.69 535.24<br />1997-98 216.02 699.27<br />1998-99 363.78 700.37<br /> 1999-2000 285.25 809.26<br />WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT<br /> For management and preservation of wildlife in the State, the Department has a full-fledged wildlife wing under Chief Wildlife Warden, an officer of CCF rank. Wildlife Preservation Division was created during the year 1976-77 with Headquarter at Dimapur which is entrusted with following responsibilities<br />i. Intangki National Park 20202 ha .<br />ii. Zoological Park Kohima.<br /> iii. Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary 470 ha.<br />iv. Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary 642 ha.<br />v. Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary 923 ha.<br /> Zoological Park at Kohima<br /> The Government has decided to shift the present Zoological Park to Dimapur at Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary, with a view to introduce many species of animals and birds of warm region. The present Zoological Park shall however be converted into captive breeding center for Tragopan .<br />Tragopan Breeding Project in London ( U. K.)<br /> This Captive Breeding Project under the auspices of the World Pheasant Association was successful in breeding of Blythe’s Tragopan, but its quality and character have degenerated due to inbreeding. The Department is likely to send one more pair of birds to the association to minimise the risks of inbreeding, to the association in near future.<br />Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park <br /> i. The Intangki National Park covering an area of 20202 ha. has been maintained during the year. Radio Telecommunication installed during 1988-89 continued to function. The efforts to keep the park free of encroachers continued unabated.<br />ii. The Rangapahar Wildlife Sanctuary, Dimapur, covering an area of 470 ha. shall be converted into Deer Sanctuary in near future. The proposal is pending with the G.O.I.<br />iii. In addition to the above sanctuaries, the other two Wildlife Sanctuaries:- <br />(a) Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary in Kohima District covering an area of 923 ha was maintained. It is a natural habitat for Blyth’s Tragopan.<br />(b) Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 642 ha. was maintained.<br /><br />TRAGOPAN<br /> Tragopan is one of the most beautiful birds among the Pheasants found in India. Out of five species of Tragopan found in the Himalayan region, Tragopan blythii (Jerdon) is found only in Nagaland. Tragopan blythii is the State Bird of Nagaland. The bird is hunted down indiscriminately and has become endangered species- almost on the verge of extinction as steps have been taken for its conservation Neither by the Government or local communities so far. It belongs to the Order – Galliformes, Family – Phasianidae & Species –Tragopan blythii.<br />Distribution:<br />It is a rare and endangered pheasant found only in Nagaland. Though no evidence of migration from the Himalayan is recorded, it presumed to be so. It is available particularly in higher elevation ranging from 1800 to 2500 metres above M.S.L. The bird is found in areas such as Japfu range, Dzuku valley in Kohima District, Pfutsero, Meluri in Phek District, foothills of Saramati, Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Noklak in Tuensang District and Satoi range in Zunheboto District. <br /><br /> TRAGOPAN<br /><br />Local Names: <br /> Gnu ( Angami ), Aogho ( Chang ) , Chingto ( Kuki) , Hur huri ( Assam and Miri ) , Aghah ( Sema).<br />Requirement of Climate and Habitat:<br />They prefer high hills where the climate is cold and temperate where extremely cool during winter and occasional occurrence of frost is there in higher altitude. Temperature varying 5 to 25 Degrees centigrade and average rainfall varying from 200 to 250 Cm is most suitable for their habitat. In natural surrounding they usually live in a dense evergreen forests with moderate undergrowth. Affects thick undergrowth in heavy evergreen forests. Their common places of occurrence are along nallahs and streams where freshly succulent vegetative growth of shoots and ferns is luxuriant and plentiful.<br /> Habits and Morphological Characteristics:<br />The most striking characteristic of these birds is their beautiful plumage of the males. The hens are not brilliantly coloured. It is of the size of a chicken. The male has an orange red in the neck with a greenish blue patch at the lower side of the face. The feathers are spotted /dotted with a brownish red colour. In males, around the eyes is covered by white and black spots. When courting the cock inflates the large brightly coloured patch on the throat and erects two long fleshy horns above the eyes. This phenomenon is seen when excited only. The hens are greyish brown and of similar size. The tails of Tragopans are laterally compressed . The female has shorter tail than that of male. They are terrestrial birds but roost on the branches of trees not very high from the ground at nights spending most of the day time on the ground scratching for food. They do not fly high above and long distance. Hence they climb step by step till they reach their roosting branches. They roost in a particular place and make it more or less permanent and flight is resorted to as and when dangers of disturbance noticed. Of all other pheasants, Tragopan is wonderfully coloured exhibiting all the dramatic colours of nature in its magnificient plumage. They form a group of 3 or 4 members in a given place. The male is very aggressive, leads the group and defends their territory from intrusion by male of other groups of the same species. The migration takes place only when the fragmentation of their habitats occurs. They occupy their territory for food and breeding as big as one Sq. km. In the process of occupation of territory, the male fight with the intruders sometimes ends with casualty or fatal.<br />Feeding in Natural Habitat:<br />During the month of March every year, they select a breeding place usually on a rocky hideout where the nest with dried leaves and twigs are made. Having secured breeding territory and their partner, the male display of courtship in many ways. Usually the female takes initiative and excites the male for mating. When the male gets excited its two fleshy horns above the eyes become erected and seen distinctively. Fanning and erecting the tail and dancing in front of the female is observed. . The mating season starts from the month of March and takes about a month or so. The mating language produce by male is “MAO, MAO, MAO” with a deep base sound and the sound produced by the female is a sharp quacking sound forming into musical tune. In natural environment, they lay 2 to 6 eggs per clutch but hatch out only 75 % of the eggs laid. The incubation of eggs by female takes 28 to 31 days. While incubating the female turns all the eggs in a regular interval in order to maintain uniform temperature. When female comes out for food the male use to guard the nest with excitement. While hatching, the female does not roost on a tree but remains with the chicks/eggs.<br />Mother’s Care for Young Ones:<br />As long as the chicks are not capable of climbing on trees, mother remains with the chicks on the ground at night. For about a month or so mother takes care of the chicks. Like domestic fowl, the chicks run a round with their mother immediately after hatching out. As long as the chicks are unable to feed themselves the mother remains with them on the ground, even at night. After one and half month they do not depend on their mother for food and roam about freely. <br />Mortality:<br />Mortality in young stages in natural habitat is also very high due to preying by rodents, natural diseases. Very often they fall from steep rock and die. When the chicks attains two to three months old the chance of mortality is less.<br />Food Habit:<br /> They are omnivorous in habit. They eat mostly ferns, fleshy and succulent/tender vegetative shoots, white ants, insects, snails, worms, beetles, pebbles, feed on grains, seeds and fruits found in their natural habitats.<br />Need for Conservation:<br /> The Tragopan is being hunted for its flesh and beautiful plumage/ feathers. There is a lobby for the sale of male Tragopan for its plumage resulting in abrupt reduction in the male population. A pair of Tragopan is priced at Rs 15,000 to 20,000 in the black market . Some villagers who are expert in capturing are being engaged for this venture. Due to human pressure, the habitats of these beautiful birds have been shrinking rapidly and in some pockets even fragmented. The range of the species becomes divided into many small, isolated fragments. Small relict bird populations still remain in fragments of the original biotope, but because of their small size they are susceptible to random genetic and demographic processes, and the possible consequences of inbreeding. The risk of each of these mini-populations quickly dying out is thus great. Population management in such cases is necessary : natural habitat management ( in-situ) for isolated populations is possible, parallel with the management under Captive Breeding ( Ex-situ) to prevent further loss of genetic material in sub-population. These birds are endemic to Nagaland but have become endangered and therefore immediate remedial measures to save these birds from further depletion calls for ecological attention. The Tragopan pheasant is included under part –111 of Schedule- 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.<br />Objectives and for Tragopan Conservation Management:<br />In order to ensure the sustenance of viable populations of Tragopan in its natural habitats and to save from its extinction, the management strategy has to be adopted in ex-situ with reference to in-situ conservation<br />(a). Ex-situ Management:<br />The goal of ex-situ (off-site) conservation is to provide support the survival of species in their natural environment (in-situ). For ex-situ management, the existing Kohima Zoological Park will be improvised and put into use as Captive Breeding Center which was established during 1973.<br />To build up stock of the species in captivity, breeding in captivity and releasing it back into wild in order to reinforce/ supplement the natural populations. <br />To provide an avenue for conducting a research on the birds & to impart education to the mass for its conservation campaign.<br />(b) In-situ Management:<br />1. To identify and prevent further fragmentation of natural habitats of the species.<br />2. To save the species in in-situ environment.<br />3. To maintain ecological balance.<br />4. To elicit support and ensure participation of the villagers in its conservation.<br />Population: <br /> The trend of Tragopan population in Nagaland is as follows:<br />The census conducted during 1989 in Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, being natural habitat of Tragopan counted 309 Male and 181 Female, altogether 571 Nos. In Kohima Zoological captivity, the population is as follows:<br />HORNBILL <br /> Four differentspecies, both residents and migratory, are found in Nagaland. They are GreatPied Honbill (Bucerous bicornis), Rufousneccked Hornbill ( Aceros nepalensis), White throated Brown Hornbill (Ptilolaemus tickeli), and Assam Wreathrd Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulates). Honbills are fascinating birds, of which, the Great pied Hornbills a large pied black white bird with an enormous horned shape black and yellow bill and surrounded by a peculiar broad double pecked. The bird is about 51’’ in length and has a tail of 18.5.Female is smaller and measures on an average of 46’. They call sounds like a barking roar.<br /> Feeding:<br /> These birds are generally found in Evergreen forests in pairs or small parts of 3-5.They largely feeds on fruits especially wild figs (Ficus spp.) and fruits of Bonsum (Phobe goalparensis) and other berries and flowers (Bauhinia spp.) and variety of insects, lizards, mice, snakes and other small animals. The birds have regular time schedule over fixed routes to and from for their feeding and roosting places which are followed everyday.<br /> Breeding:<br />The nesting season is generally in the month of March and April. During nesting a large, natural hollow is selected in a lofty tree in dense evergreen forests in species like Callophyllum tomentosum and other species often at 60 feet or more from the ground. After eggs have been laid the female blocks up the entrance of the hollow with a wall until there is only a narrow slit left, with in this the female incarcerates or imprisons her self. This phenomenon is called ‘‘Walling up the wife’’. She is then fed by the male passing throughout the period. The usual clutch is 3-5 eggs, but the larger hornbills may lay 1 or 2. Inc ubation lasts 1-2 months and chicks take6-7 weeks to fledge. After the young hatches out, the female comes out and feeds her young along with the mate.<br />Migration:<br /> There is the Mount Kist forest under Jaluki Forst Division which is well known for migration of different types of hornbills especially the great pied hornbill and Rufous necked hornbill, The migration of the hornbills is a regular feature during th months of November to February. The hornbills migrate in these areas. Due to heavy biotic interference, habitat is miserably degraded and there is lack of protection of these birds and, consequently, No. of migrating birds to this area is significantly dwindled. Migration of hornbills to natural occurrence is usually observed.<br />Management Practice:<br /> A project for conservation of these wonderful and beautiful birds, whose Number. is dwindling day by day due to degradation and loss of their habitat, has been submitted to the Govt. of India by recognising and identifying Mount Kista Forests as a ‘‘ Bio diversity Conservation Area” for approval.<br /><br />ORCHIDS OF NAGA LAND<br />Orchids are quite unlike other plants, stand apart by their fantastic range of structure and formation of their flowers and seed production. Every thing about the orchid is different and perhaps the makes people orchid maniacs<br />The name ‘orchid’ is derived from the greek word ‘orchis’, Theophrastus, a Greek naturalist refereed to a group of plants called orchis as far as back as 300 B.C. it refers to the roots of this genus which are infact testiculate tubers occurring in pairs<br />Orchids belong to one of the largest families of flowering plants. There are about 26000 wild species distributed all over the world. However, wild species of orchids distributed all over the world. However wild species are estimated from 20,000 to 35, 000 under 800 genera by different authors. They are mostly perennial plants and bloom annually. Flowers of several genera last for their lasting and beautiful flowers.<br />The majority of the orchids are epiphytic growing upon tree trunks. Some grow as terrestrial and others as lithophytic. A few are saprophytic.<br />The orchid plants are distinct in type of vegetation structure and flower architecture. On the basis of vegetative structure and its growth, orchids may be grouped as:<br />1. Monopodial: these orchids grow continuously in one direction, season after season and bear aerial roots.<br />2. Sympodial: in this case after one season growth, the lateral growth is produced in next growing season.<br />3. Pseudomonopodial: these are intermediate between monopodial and sympodial in growth pattern.<br /> <br />The most important mechanism of orchids to retain moisture as well as to draw moisture and nutrition from the air is performed by pseudo bulbs and a loose spongy tissue as covering of aerial roots of lithophytic and epiphytic orchids. <br /> <br /> Ladys Slipper orchid<br />An orchid flower has six segments, arranged in two whorls the outer world consists of three petals one of the petals is variously modified and designed. It is called lip or labellum. During the development of flowers, it takes 180 degrees turn on its axis a process known as resupination. The size of the flower ranges from size of pinhead to 25-cm diameter. <br /> <br /> Coelogyna Cristata <br /> <br />The Northeast, including Nagaland is blessed with tropical to alpine humid forest with heavy rainfall and high humidity which provide suitable habitat for this unique natural heritage. There are over thousand species of orchids in India out of this more than fifty percent, i.e. about 650 orchid species grow in Northeast India. Nagaland can boast for over 360 orchid species.<br />The economic importance attached to the orchids has led to their wide spread and ruthless exploitation that has resulted in depletion of the orchid flora of Nagaland state. Large scale deforestation and age old shifting agriculture have brought about destruction in natural habitat of these valuable species including several graceful orchids have declined and some of them have become extinct while many are seriously endangered. If proper conservation measures are not taken, the state of Nagaland is sure to loss many more of its beautiful orchids.<br />ORCHID FLORA OF NAGALAND:<br />S.NO NAME FLOWERING LOCALITY<br />1 Acampa papillosa Dec-Jan Zunheboto,Pesao<br />2 Acampa rigida April-May Phek, Aghnato<br />3 Acampa wightiana Nov –Dec Chesore<br />4 Acanthephippium striatum July – Augu Jalukie, Doyang<br />5 Acanthephippium sylhetense May –June Longwa, Chen,Jalukie<br />6 Aerides crassifolium April-May Dzuja,Tseminyu,<br />Longjang, Changtongya<br />7 Aerides fieldingii May –June Changki, Tuli, Mon<br />8 Aerides multiflorum Jun –Aug Phek, Viswema<br />9 Aerides odoratum May – June Mokokchung, Changtongya, Chare<br />10 Anoectochilus crispus Jun –Aug Japfu range,<br />Chentang, Pfutsero<br />11 Anoectochilus elwesil Jun – Jul Japfu range, Hellipong.<br />12 Anoectochilus grandiflorus Jul – Aug Japfu range, Pesao,chan<br />13 Anoectochilus griffithi Aug-Sep Saramati, Dzukou<br />14 Anoectochilus roxburghii Oct Meinkong,<br />Longkhum, Pesao, Sangsangyu<br />15 Anthogonium gracile Aug –Sep Aghunato, Surohoto<br />16 Aphyllorchis montana Jul –Aug Changlangshu<br />17 Aphyllorchis prainii Jul –Aug Doyang,Sanis,Mangkolemba, Aonokpho<br />18 Appendicula cornuata Aug Wokha, Doyang, Changki,Mon<br />19 Arachis bilinguis Mar-Apr Sanis, Changki<br />20 Arachis cathcartii Mar-Apr Longtok,Hellipon,Chesore<br />21 Arundina graminifolia Jun-Oct Chesore,Chare,<br />Meinkong,Changi,Jalukie<br />22 Ascocentrum ampullaceum Mar- Apr Peren,Phek, Noklak<br />23 Ascocentrum curvifolium May-Jun Hellipong, Changlangshu,<br />Pangsa<br />24 Ascocentrum micranthum Jun- Aug Japfurange, Viswema<br />25 Ascocentrum miniatum Mar – May Japfurange, Viswema , Kohima<br />26 Brachycorythis obcordata Aug –Sep Japfurange,<br />Saramati<br />27 Bulbophyllum aculiflorum Jun-Jul Japfurange,<br />Khonama,Peren,<br />Pfutsero<br />28 Bulbophyllum affine Jun –Jul Kohima, Viswema, Hellipong<br />29 Bulbophyllum andersonii Oct- Sep Japfu range,<br />Visewama,<br />Khonoma, Hellipong<br />30 Bulbophyllum careyanum Oct-Feb Japfu range,Khonama,<br />Dzulake<br />31 Bulbophyllum caudatum Jun-Jul Japfurange, Khonama, Peren, Pfutsero<br />32 Bulbophyllum cylindraceum Dec-Jan Japfu range, Viswema<br />33 Bulbophyllum dyeranum Jul-Sep Mon, Wakching, Tuli<br />34 Bulbophyllum elatum May- Jun Japfu range, Dzulake,peren<br />35 Bulbophyllum eulepharum Aug Hellipong, Chentang<br />36 Bulbophyllum gambeiel Jul-Aug Meinkong,<br />Longkhum,<br />Longwa,surohoto<br />37 Bulbophyllum guttulatum Aug-Sep Japfu range, Dzulake, Pfutsero<br />38 Bulbophyllum gymnopus Oct-Nov Kohima, Khonoma<br />39 Bulbophyllumhelenae May-Jun Japfu, Pfutzero, Dzulake, Hellipong<br />40 Bulbophyllum hirtum Nov-Feb Japfurange, Pfutzero Saramati, Sangsangyu<br />41 Bulbophyllum hymenanthum May Meinkong, Longkhum<br />42 Bulbophyllum leopardinum Oct-Nov Chentang, Hellipong<br />43 Bulbophyllum leptanthum Jul Changtongya, Sanis, Dzuja<br />44 Bulbophyllum odoratissimum Jun-Aug Tseminyu, Phek, Meinkong, Longleng<br />45 Bulbophyllum ornatissimum Oct-Nov Wokha, Longkhum, Meinkong<br />46 Bulbophyllum pencillium Aug-Sep Longkhim,<br />Hellipong, Viswema, Khonoma<br />47 Bulbophyllum piluliferum May Changtongya, Longleng, Chara, Wakching<br />48 Bulbophyllum polyrhizum Mar-Apr Monkolemba, Aonokpho, Changtongya, Sanis,<br />Tobu<br />49 Bulbophyllum reptans Oct-Nov Mon, Wakching, Doyang<br />50 Bulbophyllum rigidum May- Jun Mongkolemba, Medziphema<br />51 Bulbophyllum rothschildianum Sep-Oct Longsa,Chara<br />52 Bulbophyllum roxburghii Sep Wakching<br />Tobu<br />53 Bulbophyllum secundum Jun-Jul Peren, Dzulake<br />Tseminyu, Longkhum, Longkhim<br />54 Bulbophyllum striatum Oct Kohima, Viswema, Saramati range<br />55 Bulbophyllum umbellatum May- Jun Japfu range, Viswema, Dzulake<br />Hellipong<br />56 Bulbophyllum uniflorum Jun-Aug Longkhim, Hellipong<br />Longtok<br />57 Bulbophyllum viridiforum Oct-Nov Longkhum, Wokha<br />58 Bulbophyllum wallichi Oct-Nov Longeng,Chesore, Longkhum,<br />Meinkong<br />59 Calanthe alismifolia May-Aug Dzukou,<br /> Japfu range<br />Saramati range<br />60 Calanthe alpina Jul-Aug Dzukou,<br /> Japfu range<br />61 Calanthe angusta Apr-May Dzulake,<br />Peren,<br />Dzuja<br />62 Calanthe biloba Sep-Oct Japfu range,<br />Khonoma,<br />Chentang<br />Hellipong<br />Sangsangyu<br />63 Calanthe brevicornu May-Jun Sangsangyu,<br />Chentang,<br />Japfu range<br />64 Calanthe chloroleuca Apr-May Dzukou<br />65 Calanthe clavate Feb-Mar Chnaglangshu,<br />Pesao, Pangsa,<br />Japfu range, Saramati range<br />66 Calanthe densiflora Oct Dzuja, Peren, Phek<br />67 Calanthe foestermannii Jul Rangapahar,<br />Merapani,Tuli<br />68 Calanthe gracilis Oct Chesore, Longleng,<br />Kiphire<br />69 Calantheherbacea Jun-Jul Dzukou, Japfu range<br />70 Calanthe manni Mar-Apr Sanis, Changki,<br />Longleng, Tobu<br />71 Calanthe musuca Aug-Sep Kohima,Viswema, Sangsangyu, Longkhim<br />72 Calanthe plantaginea Mar-Apr Japfu range, Hellipong, Longtok<br />73 Calanthe puberula Jul-Aug Japfu range, Saramati range, Hellipong,<br />Meinkong<br />74 Calanthe tricarinata May-Jul Viswema, Khonoma, Peren, Longleng, Tuensang<br />75 Calanthe triplicata Jul-Oct Merapani, Tsurang,<br />Naginamora<br />76 Calanthe vaginata May-Jun Merapani, Tsurang valley, Tuli, Naginimora<br />77 Calanthe vestita Nov- Dec Japfu range<br />78 Calanthe whiteana May Saramati, Japfu range<br />79 Cephalanthera ongifolia May – Jul Japfu range,<br />Chesore, Longtok<br />80 Ceratostylis himalaica May – Jun Chengtang, Noklak, Pangsa<br />81 Ceratostylis teres May- Jun Tezit, Mon, Wakching<br />82 Cheirostylis griffithii Oct-Nov Japfu range, Hellipong, Chentang<br />83 Cheirostylis pusilla Nov- Dec Viswema, Peren<br />84 Cleisocentron trichromum Jul- Aug Japfu range, Saramati range<br />85 Cleisostoma aspersum Jul-Aug Jalukie, Rangapahar, Medziphema<br />86 Cleisostoma filliforme Aug- Sep Kohima, Viswema<br />87 Cleisostoma simondii Aug- Sep Longchang, Chare<br />88 Cleisostoma striatum Jul- Aug Tsurang valley, Chare<br />89 Cleisostoma subulatum Jul- Aug Intangki, Jalukie<br />90 Cleisostoma racemiferum Jun-Jul Kohima, Dzuja, Medziphema, Tseminyu<br />91 Coelogyne barbata Sep –Dec Japfu range, Hellipong, chentang, Lonwa<br />92 Coelogyne corymbosa Apr- May Noklak, Longwa, Longkhum, Viswema, Wokha, Tseminyu<br />93 Coelogyne cristata Mar-Apr Longleng, Longwa,Chare, Longkhim<br />94 Coelogyne flaccida Mar –Apr Japfu range, Tuensang, Phek, Pfutsero<br />95 Coelogyne fuscescens Oc- Dec Japfu range, Viswema, chentang, Hellipong<br />96 Coelogyne griffithi Apr-May Mokokchung, Changtongya, Longlang, Chare<br />97 Coelogyne hitendrae Apr- May Sangsangyu, Pangsa, Noklak, Chesore, Samator<br />98 Coelogyne longipes Mar- May Longwa<br />99 Coelogyne micrantha Feb-Mar Chentang, Hellipong, Japfu range<br />100 Coelogyne nitida May-Jun Japfu rnge, Pfutsero, Phek<br />101 Coelogyne occuitata Jun –Jul Japfu range, Pfutsero<br />102 Coelogyne ovalis Oct- Nov Viswema, Khonoma, Chentang<br />103 Coelogyne prolifera Mar –Apr Chentang, Phek<br />104 Coelogyne punctulata Jan –Feb Japfu range, Hellipong, Saramati<br />105 Coelogyne raizada May-Jun Japfu range, Saramati, Sangsangyu, Pangsa<br />106 Coelogyne rigida Jun- Jul Tuensang, Hellipong<br />107 Coelogyne schultesii May- Jun Wokha, Sanis<br />108 Coelogyne stricta May-Jun Viswema, Kohima, Tseminyu<br />109 Coelogyne viscosa Jan- Feb Lonwa, Longkhum<br />110 Corymborkis veratrifolia Mar-May Intangki, Rangapahar, Medziphema<br />111 Cremastra wallichiana Apr-May <br />112 Cryptochilus lutea May- Jun Kohima, Pfusero, Hellipong<br />113 Cryptochilus sanguineus Jun-Aug Japfu range, Pfutsero, Phek, Hellipong, Chentang, Wokha<br />114 Cymbidium aloifolium Apr- May Ontangki, Rangapahar, Tsurang, Saring, Tuli, Tizit, Namsa<br />115 Cymbidium cochleare Oict- Nov Japfu range, Pfutsero, Hellipong,Chentang<br />116 Cymbidium devonianum May- Jun Saramati, Hellipong.<br />117 Cymbidium elegans Oct- Nov Japfu range, Phek,Pesao<br />118 Cymbidium ensifolium Nov-Dec Japfu range,Pfutsero, Hellipong, Longtok, Chentang.<br />119 Cymbidium eburneum Mar-apr Viswema, Japfu range, Noklak, Pangsa, Pesao<br />120 Cymbidium iridioidea Oct-Nov Japfu range, Hellipong,<br />Chentang,<br />Sangsangyu, Saramati<br />121 Cymbidium lancifolium Jun-Jul Hellipong,Longtok, Chentang.<br />122 Cymbidium longifolium Sep-Oct Japfu range, Saramati, Hellipong<br />123 Cymbidium lowianum Apr-May Chentang, Hellipong, Japfu range<br />124 Cymbidium macrorhizon Jun –Jul Meinkong, Phek, Kohima, Viswema<br />125 Cymbidium mastersii Oct-Nov Viswema,Peren<br />126 Cymbidium pendulam Apr-May Saring, Tuli, Namsa, Naginimora<br />127 Cymbidium tigrinum Apr Japfu range, Viswema, Pfutsero<br />128 Cymbidium tracyanum Oct-Nov Chentang, Sangsangyu, Hellipong<br />129 Dendrobium acinaciforme Jun- Jul Medziphema, Tuli, Mon, Tizit, Saring,Aonokpho, Tsurang valley<br />130 Dendrobium anceps Apr- May Pagas, Tobu, Peren, Jalukie<br />131 Dendrobium aphyllum Apr- May Dzuja, Jalukie, Sanis,Doyang<br />132 Dendrobium bensoniae May- Jun Kohima, Wazeho, Khepri, Samator<br />133 Dendrobium bicameratum Aug- sep Doyang, Jalukie, Chare<br />134 Dendrobium candidum Apr- May Saramati, Japfu range, Phek<br />135 Dendrobium chrysanthum Sep- Oct Wokha, Mokokchung,Longkhum, Changki<br />136 Dendrobium chrystoxum Apr-May Jalukie, Medziphema, Dzuja, Changtongya, Longleng, Akuluto<br />137 Dendrobium crepidatum Mar-May Peren, Phek<br />207 Dendrobium densiflorum Apr- May Longkhim,Noklak, Longsa,<br />Longkhum,<br />Changki,<br />Changtongya,<br />Longleng,<br />Peren, Doyang,Longwa.<br />139 Dendrobium denudans Sep-Oct Pesao, Changlangshu<br />140 Dendrobium devonianum May- Jun Viswema, Peren, Pfutsero, Noklak, Tuensang, Changki.<br />141 Dendrobium eriaeflorum Sep- Oct Viswema, Phek<br />142 Dendrobium falconeri May- June Japfu range, Dzukou, Longtok,Pangsa.<br />143 Dendrobium farmeri Apr- May Longsa, Akuloto,Chesore<br />144 Dendrobiumfimbriatum Apr-May Dzuja, Tseminyu,Peren,<br />Mokokchung,Longkhim,Wokha<br />145 Dendrobium formosum May-Jun Viswema,Japfu range, Peren<br />146 Dendrobium gibsonil Jul-Aug Mokokchung,<br />Chare,Changki,<br />Tobu,Dzuja<br />147 Dendrobium heterocarpum Apr Longkhim,<br />Tuensang,<br />Japfu range,<br />Viswema<br />148 Dendrobium hookerianum Apr-May Dzuja,<br />Jaluki,<br />Longjang,<br />Doyang,<br />Mon, Tizit.<br />149 Dendrobium infundibulam Apr-May Hellipong,<br />Tuensang,<br />Kohima,<br />Mokochung.<br />150 Dendrobium jenkinsii Apr-May Saramati range,<br />Phek,<br />Changlangsu<br />151 Dendrobium lindleyi Feb-Mar Kohima,<br />Mokochung,<br />Tuensang,<br />Wokha,<br />Zunheboto<br />152 Dendrobium longicornu Oct-Nov Japfu range, Chentang, Hellipong, Saramati, Pesao<br />153 Dendrobium moschatum May-Jun Kiphire,<br />Longkhim,<br />Longkhum<br />Wokha<br />154 Dendrobium nobile Apr-May Peren<br />Phek,<br />Kiphire,<br />Noklak,<br />155 Dendrobium ochreatum Apr-May Viswema<br />Kohima<br />Phek,<br />Mokokchung,<br />Tuensang,<br />Wokha.<br />156 Dendrobium porphyrochilum Sep-Oct Chentang,<br />Noklak,<br />Samator.<br />157 Dendrobium primulinum Mar-Apr Dzuja<br />Peren<br />Phek<br />Changki<br />Longjang<br />Chare<br />Akuluto<br />158 Dendrobium pulchellum Apr-May Changlangshu,<br />Pangsa<br />Saramati,<br />Peren,<br />Viswema<br />159 Dendrobium stuposum Jun-Jul Noklak,<br />Pangsa<br />Meluri,<br />Wazeho<br />160 Dendrobium terminata Sep-Oct Jalukie,<br />Peren,<br />Phek<br />161 Dendrobium thysiflorum Apr-May Longkhim,<br />Tobu,<br />Chare,<br />Longsa,<br />Longkhum,<br />Changki<br /> <br />162 Dendrobium transparens Apr-May Viswema,<br />Phek,<br />Peren,<br />Samator<br />163 Dendrobium wardianum Apr-May Japfu range,<br />Peren,<br />Pfutsero<br />164 Dendrobium williamsonii Mar-apr Viswema,<br />Peren,<br /> Pangsa,<br />Saramati,<br />Noklak<br /> <br />165 Diplomeria hirsuta Jun-jul Dzukou<br />Japfu rang,<br />Saramatirange.<br />166 Diplomeria pulchelia Aug-Sep Japfurange,<br />Saramati<br />167 Diplomeria championi Jul-Aug Jalukie,<br />Peren,<br />phek<br />168 Epigeneium amplum Oct-Nov Kohima,<br />Mokokchung,<br />Tuensang,<br />Akuluto.<br />169 Epigeneium fuscescens<br /> Oct-Nov Phek,<br />Tuensang,<br />Samator<br />170 Epigeneium rotundatum Apr-May Pfutsero,<br />Viswema,<br />Chentang<br />Pangsa,<br />Saramati<br />171 Eria acevata Jun-Jul Jalukie,<br />Medziphema,<br />Mon,<br />Tizit<br />172 Eria alba Jun-Jul Noklak,<br />Pangsa,<br />Chentang,<br />Samator<br />173 Eria amica Apr Kiphrie,<br />Meluri,<br />Mon<br />174 Eria bambusifolia Dec-Feb Chentang,<br />Japfu range<br />175 Eria biflora Aug-Sep Chentang,<br />Tuensang<br />176 Eria bractesces Apr-May Medziphema,<br />Aonokpho,<br />Mangkolemba,<br />Doyang<br />177 Eria coronaria Oct-Nov Japfu range,<br />Phek,<br />Viswema,<br />Dzulake<br />178 Eria dasyphylla May-Jun Jalukie,<br />Medziphema,<br />Changtongya,<br />Mangkolemba<br />179 Eria excavata Jun-Jul Viswema,<br />Khonoma,<br />Chentang<br />180 Eria graminifolia Jul-Aug Japfu range,<br />Pfutsero,<br />Saramati<br />181 Eria muscicola Aug-Sep Kohima,<br />Pfutser<br />182 Eria paniculata Feb-Mar Peren,<br />Viswema,<br />Pfutsero<br />183 Eria pannea Apr-May Pangsa,<br />Pesao<br />184 Eria spicata Jul-Aug Viswema,<br />Tseminyu,<br />Dzuja,<br />Khonoma<br />Mokokchung<br />Wokha,<br />Longkhim<br />185 Eria stricta Dec-Feb Peren,<br />Phek,<br />Saramati range<br />186 Eria vittata Mar-Apr Japfu range<br />Viswema,<br />Chentang,<br />Longkhim<br />187 Eulophia bicallosa Mar-Apr Intangki,<br />Merapani<br />188 Eulophia graminea Mar-Apr Meluri,<br />Wazeho<br />189 Eulophia nuda Jun-Jul Namsa,<br />Naginimora,<br />Saring<br />190 Flickingeria fimbriata May-Jun Longjang,<br />Changki,<br />Medziphema<br />191 Flickingeria fugax May Peren,<br />Noklak,<br />Chesore<br />192 Galeola falconeri Jul-Aug Peren,<br />Longkhim,<br />Zunheboto<br />193 Galeola lindleyana Jul-Aug Japfu range,<br />Dzulake,<br />Sangsangyu,<br />Chentang,<br />Hellipong<br />194 Gastrochilus acutifolium Nov-Dec Longkhum,<br />Meinkong,<br />Phek<br />195 Gastrochilus calceolaris Mar-Apr Japfu range,<br />Hellipong,<br />Saramati,<br />Pfutsero<br />196 Gastrochilus distichus Jan-Feb Viswema,<br />Pagsa,<br />Noklak<br />197 Gastrochilus inconspicuum Jun-Jul Rangapahar,<br />Merapani<br />198 Gastrochilus pseudodisticus Sep-Oct Peren,<br />Phek,<br />Meinkong<br />199 Geodorum densiflorum Jun-Jul Japfu range,<br />Dzukou<br />200 Goodyera foliosa Sep-Oct Hellipong,<br />Dzukou<br />201 Goodyera fusca Aug-Sep Dzulake,<br />Pfutsero<br />202 Goodyera hispida Sep Japfu range,<br />Saramati<br />203 Goodyera procera Apr-May Dzukou<br />204 Goodyera repens May Japfu range<br />205 Goodyera schiechtendaliana Oct-Nov Chentang,<br />Kohima<br />206 Goodyera secundiflora Oct-Nov Japfu range,<br />Chentang,<br />Sangsangyu<br />207 Goodyera viridiflora Jul-Aug Meinkong,<br />Longkhum,<br />Longkhim<br />208 Habennaria acuifera Jul- Aug Phek,<br />Dzuja,<br />Peren<br />209 Habennaria dentata Aug- Sep Phek,<br />Viswema<br />210 Habennaria ensifolia Jul- Aug Pfutsero<br />Japfu range<br />211 Habennaria furcifera Jul-Aug Japfu range,<br />Dzukou,<br />Dzulake,<br />Longkhim,<br />Longkhum,<br />Meinkong<br />212 Habennaria intermedia Jul-aug Chentang,<br />Sangsangyu,<br />Pesao<br />213 Habennaria malleifera Aug-Sep Doyang,<br />Wokha,<br />Chare<br />214 Habennaria pactinata Jul-Aug Japfu range<br />Saramati<br />215 Habennaria stenopetala Aug-Sep Pfutsero,<br />Longkhim,<br />Hellipong<br />216 Herminium lanceum Jul-Aug Kohima,<br />Viswema,<br />Longkhim<br />217 Herminium macrophyllum Jul- Aug Chentang,<br />Yako<br />218 Herminium monorchis Jul-Aug Japfu,<br />Dzukou<br />219 Hetaeria rubens Dec-Jan Viswema,<br />Pfutsero<br />220 Hygrochilus parishii May-Jun Viswema,<br />Pfutsero<br />221 Kingidium deliciosum Jul-Aug Tuensang,<br />Phek<br />212 Kingidium taenialis May-Jun Kiphire,<br />Kohima,<br />Dzulake<br />213 Liparis assamica Oct-nov Tsurang,<br />Tobu,<br />Mon,<br />Medziphema<br />214 Liparis bistriate Jul-Aug Changlangshu,<br />Pesao<br />215 Liparis biturberculata May-Jun Japfu range,<br />Chentang,<br />Sangsangyu<br />216 Liparis bootanensis Aug Japfu range,<br />Dzulake,<br />Peren<br />217 Liparis caespitosa Jul-Aug Dzulake,<br />Hellipong<br />218 Liparis cordifolia Sep-Oct Pulibadze,<br />Viswema,<br />Japfu<br />219 Liparis delicatula Aug-Sep Dzulake,<br />Peren<br />220 Liparis distans Oct-Nov Japfu range,<br />Pfutsero<br />221 Liparis longipes Oct-Nov Japfu range<br />222 Liparis nervosa Jul-aug Noklak,<br />Chentang<br />223 Liparis odorata Jul-Aug Dzuja,<br />Wokha,<br />224 Liparis pardoxa Jul-Aug Pangsa,<br />Noklak<br />225 Liparis petiolata May Japfu range,<br />Viswema,<br />Kohima<br />226 Liparis plantaginea Jul-Jul Japfu range<br />227 Liparis platyrachis Aug Dzulake,<br />Saramati<br />228 Liparis pulchella Jun-Jul Kohima,<br />Tseminyu,<br />Wokha,<br />Tuensang<br />229 Liparis resupina Oct-Nov Chesore,<br />Hellipong<br />230 Liparis viridiflora Oct-Nov Chare,<br />Noklak<br />231 Luisia inconspicua Jun-Jul Jalukie,<br />Longleng,<br />Doyang<br />232 Luisia prachystachys Mar-Apr Jalukie,<br />Longleng,<br />Doyang<br />233 Luisia prachystachys Mar-Apr Pfutsero,<br />Phek,<br />Changtongya<br />234 Luisia teritifolia May-Jun Naginimora, Namsa<br />235 Luisia trichorhiza Mar-Apr Viswema,<br />Pfutsero<br />236 Luisia zeylanica Mar-Apr Viswema,<br />Japfu range<br />237 Malaxis acuminata May-Jun Pulibadze,<br />Jakhama<br />238 Malaxis biaurita Jul-Aug Chesore,<br />Longtok,<br />Hellipong<br />239 Malaxis cylindroatachya Jul-Aug Longsa,<br />Wokha<br />240 Malaxis josephiana May-Jun Japfu,<br />Puliebadze<br />241 Malaxis khasiana Jun-Jul Phek<br />242 Malaxis latifolia Jun-Jul Mokokchung,<br />Longkhim<br />243 Micropera mannii Jun-Jul Peren,<br />Phek<br />244 Micropera rostrata May-Jun Kohima,<br />Piphema,<br />Phek<br />245 Monomera barbata Feb Tuli,<br />Saring,<br />Mangkolemba<br />246 Neogyne gardneriana Oct-Nov Chentang,<br />Chesore,<br />Hellipong<br />247 Neotianthe secundiflora Aug-Sep Dzukou,<br />Japfu,<br />Saramati<br />248 Neottia listeroides Jul-Sep Dzukou,<br />Saramati<br />249 Nephelaphyllum cordifolium Jun-Jul Peren,<br />Dzulake,<br />Phek<br />250 Nervilia aragoana Jun-Jul Pangsa,<br />Noklak<br />251 Nervilia prainiana May-Jun Dzukou<br />252 Oberonia acaulis Oct-Dec Peren,<br />Viswema,<br />Longkhu,<br />Wokha<br />253 Oberonia clarkel Oct Changtongya,<br />Mokokchung,<br />Zubza<br />254 Oberonia ensiformis Nov Peren,<br />Tseminyu,<br />Meinkong<br />255 Oberonia griffithiana Mar-Apr Longkhum,<br /> Wokha<br />256 Oberonia iridifolia Sep-Nov Kohima, Tuensang,<br />Mokokchung<br />257 Oberonia longilabris Jul-Sep Meinkong,<br />Japfu,<br />Akuloto<br />258 Oberonia mannii Jun-Jul Kohima,<br />Viswema<br />259 Oberonia micrantha Jul-Aug Viswema,<br />Dzulake<br />260 Oberonia obcordata Jul-Aug Kohima,<br />Peren,<br />Piphema<br />261 Oberonia orbicularis Nov-Dec Mokokchung,<br />Kohima,<br />Tseminyu<br />262 Oberonia pachyrachis Aug-Sep Viswema,<br />Kohima,<br />Wokha<br />263 Oberonia pyrulifera Sep-Oct Longkhum,<br />Mokokchung<br />Meinkong<br />264 Oberonia recurva Jul-Aug Longkhum,<br />Meinkong<br />265 Oreochis foliosa Jun-Jul Meinkong,<br />Longkhum,<br />Wokha<br />266 Ornithochilus difformis Jun-Jul Viswema,<br />Pfutsero<br />267 Otochilus alba Jun Japfu range,<br /> Noklak,<br />Chentang<br />268 Otochilus fusca Nov-Dec Noklak,<br />Kohima,<br />Chare,<br />Chentang<br />269 Otochilus lancilabius Oct-Nov Japfu range,<br />Phek,<br />Noklak<br />270 Pachystoma senile Mar-Apr Phek,<br />Peren<br />271 Panasia unifllora Apr-May Tseminyu,<br />Viswema<br />272 Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum Apr-May Japfu range<br />273 Papiopedilum insigne Oct-Nov Noklak,<br />Sangsangyu<br />274 Paplionanthe longicornu Sep-Oct Viswema,<br />Peren,<br />Phek<br />275 Paplionanthe teres Feb-Mar Dzuja,<br />Medziphema,<br />Peren,<br />Changtongya, Aonokpho,<br />Chengki<br />276 Pecteilis gigantea Sep-Oct Longkhim,<br />Japfu<br />277 Pecteilis susannae Jul-Aug Japfu range Dzulake,<br />Peren<br />278 Pelanthanthera insectifera Aug-Sep Medziphema,<br />Doyang,<br />Wazeho,<br />Tizit<br />279 Perisrtylus affinis Jul-aug Dzukou,<br />Japfu,<br />Yakko<br />280 Perisrtylus chloranthus Jul-Aug Longkhim,<br />Chare<br />281 Perisrtylus constictus Jul-Aug Changlangshu,<br />Pesao<br />282 Perisrtylus densus Jul-Aug Tobu,<br />Pesao,<br />Noklak<br />283 Perisrtylus falla Jul-Aug Dzukou,<br />Japfu range<br />284 Perisrtylus goodyeroides Jul-Aug Dzukou,<br />Pfutsero<br />285 Perisrtylus mannii Jul-Aug Changlangshu,<br />Sangsangyu<br />286 Perisrtylus prainii Aug-Sep Noklak<br /><br /><br />SOME IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANTS OF NAGALAND<br />Panax pseudo-gensing (Gensing),<br />Taxus baccata (Yew),<br /><br /> TAXUS BACCATA<br /><br />Aquilaria agallocha (Agar),<br />Solanum khasianum, <br />Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi),<br />Aegle marmelos (Bel),<br />Rauvolfia serpentina (Sarpgandha),<br />Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudraksha),<br />Dioscorea deltoides (Kath Aloo),<br />Emblica officinalis (Amla),<br />Swertia chirata (Chirata),<br />Rubia cordifolia,<br />Oroxylum indicum, <br />Clerodendrum colebrookianum,<br />Passiflora edulis<br />List of some commercially viable medicinal plants suggested for cultivation in North Eastern Region.<br />Sl. No Botanical Name<br />1 Acacia concinna<br />2 Acorus calamus<br />3 Aegle marmelos<br />4 Adhatoda vasika<br />5 Andrographis paniculata<br />6 Asparagus racemosus<br />7 Azadirachta indica<br />8 Bacopa monniera<br />9 Boerhaavia difusa<br />10 Boswellia serreta<br />11 Cassia angustifolia<br />12 Cassia tora<br />13 Celastrus paniculata<br />14 Centella asiatica<br />15 Commiphora mukul<br />16 Coleus forskolii<br />17 Costus speciosus<br />18 Cyprus rotundus<br />19 Eclipta alba<br />20 Embelia ribes<br />21 Emblica officinalis<br />22 Ephedra vulgaris<br />23 Eugenia jambolana<br />24 Garcinia cambogia<br />25 Garcinia indica<br />26 Gloriosa superba<br />27 Glycyrrhiza glabra<br />28 Gymnema sylvestre<br />29 Hemidesmus indicus<br />30 Holarrhena antidysenterica<br />31 Ipomea hederacea<br />32 Lawsonia alba/inerm’s<br />33 Mappia foledia<br />34 Morinda citrifolia<br />35 Ocimum sanctum<br />36 Passiflora incarnata<br />37 Phyllanthus niruri<br />38 Plantago ovata husk<br />39 Psoralea corilifolia<br />40 Rubia cordifolia<br />41 Ruta graveolens<br />42 Salacia reticulata<br />43 Taxus baccata<br />44 Terminalia belerica<br />45 Tribulus terrestris<br />46 Trigonellia foenum gralceum<br />47 Urginea indica<br />48 Valeriana wallichi<br />49 Vincea rosea<br />50 Withania somnifera<br />1. Tectona grandis ( Teak)<br />2. Gmelina arborea ( Gamari)<br />3. Melia composita ( Ghora neem)<br />4. Terminalia myriocarpa ( Hollock)<br />5. Artocarpus chaplasa ( Sam)<br />6. Chickrassia tabularis ( Bogipoma)<br />7. Duabanga sonneritoides ( Khokan)<br />8. Anthocephalus Cadamba (Kadam)<br />9. Albizia procera (Koroi)<br />10. Michelia champaca (Tita chap)<br />Middle Elevation Zone : 750m-1500m(2500’ 5000’<br />The species suitable for this zone are :<br />1. Gmelina arborea (Gamari)<br />2. Terminalia myriocarpa (Hollock)<br />3. Artocarpus chaplasa (Sam)<br />4. Chickrasia tabularis (Bogipoma)<br />5. Pinus petula, P.caribea (Pines)<br />6. Albizia procera (Koroi)<br /> 7. Betula alnoides<br /> 8. Melia composita (Ghora neem)<br /> 9. Lannea axillaries (Naga neem)<br /> 10. Michelia champaca (Tita sopa)<br /> High Elevation Zone : 1500m-2000m, (5000’ 6666) or up to suitable cultivable limit<br /> The species suitable for this zone ar<br /> 1. Pinus spp. (Pine)<br /> 2. Betula alnoides (Birch)<br /> 3. Lannea axillaries (Naga neem)<br /> 4. Cedrella (Poma)<br /> 5. Alnus nepalensis (Alder)<br /> 6. Melia composita (Ghora neem)<br /> 7. Terminalia myriocarpa (Hollock)<br /> 8. Artocarpus chaplasa (Sam)<br /> WOOD WILL BE THE MOST LUXERIOUS.<br /> COMMODITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY<br />3 SEED COLLECTION<br />Seeds should be collected from healthy, mature, and vigorously growing trees. Different Trees mature and produce seed at different seasons of the year; hence, it is good to know the fruiting and ripening seasons of different Trees to enable collection of seeds in good time.<br />Tectona grandis (Teak) ripens in November to January<br />Gmelina arborea (Gamari) “ June to August<br />Melia composita (Ghora neem) “ November to January<br />Termimalia myriocarpa (Holloc “ November to January<br />Artocarpus chaplasa “ July to September<br />Lannea axillaries (Naga neem) “ November to January<br />Betula alnoides “ November to January<br />Pinus sp (Pine) “ November to January<br />Cedrella ” November to December<br />Albizzia procera (Koroi) “ November to January<br />Anthocephalus cadamba (Kadam) “ July to September<br />Duabanga sonnerritoides (Khokan) “ December to March<br />Mechelia champaca (Alder) “ November to January<br />Alnus nepalensis “ November to January<br />SEED STORAGE<br /> The seeds should be completely dry if they are to be stored for more than a few weeks. If the seeds are not dry, they will ‘respire’ actively in their bags or basket containers and would generate enough heat to destroy the delicate embryo in each seeds.<br /> TREE GROWS DAY AND NIGHT AND SO GROW<br /> TREE AND GROW RICH DAY AND NIGHT<br />4. SEED TREATMENT<br />Some seeds have hard seed cover for which it becomes difficult for water to seep into the embryo quickly. If water does not seep into the embryo, the seeds will not germinate. Therefore, seeds with such hard coats like Teak/Gamari/Ghora neem/Naga neem/ etc. may be soaked in water till signs of sprouting are detected in the seeds. Different seeds will need different periods of soaking and with little practice, the correct amount of time for proper soaking can be found out. To find out whether the seed are fertile or not, a small quantity may be thrown into burning charcoal (without flames) and fertile ones will sputter or explode which will indicate fertile seeds.<br /> UNRIPE FRUIT CANNOT BE SOLD BUT FIREWOOD<br /> EVEN SMALL TREES FETCHES MONEY<br /> 5. NURSERY TECHNIQUE (PREPARATION) <br /> Location : It is very necessary to locate the nursery near the plantation site. The nursery should be located as far as possible in a flatland, near water source. Try to locate the Nursery on the Northern, Western aspects of a Hill slope; try to avoid Southern Aspects on hill slope because of too much sunshine and heat. The nursery beds must not be allowed to become dry after the seeds are sown. In the hotter Plain sector of Nagaland, seed can be germinated even during the winter months, in such a case the nursery beds may have to be watered. The nursery beds should be well drained, there should be no stagnancy of water.<br />Soil Working : The nursery site should be clear felled of all vegetation if the Nursery is a new one. The jungle clearance may be done during winter to early Spring season preferably before Weeds ripen their fruits so that weeds may be decreased in the Nursery beds, it burns of the seeds the Weeds and other undesirable plants.<br />It is desirable to plough or hoe the soil in the winter and allow it to weather for some time. The Nursery beds may be raised if the area is plain to ensure good drainage, in hill sides it may be a little sunken to conserve moisture though during very heavy rain there is possibility of it getting flooded if drainage is not made<br />Nursery bed size : The ploughed soil can be organized into beds of 1 metre wide, 15 cms high, 10 metres long, or as long as the topography would allow. The soil in the nursery should be worked into a compact, smooth, and fine textured consistency. If the nursery in flatland it should be separated by a pathway of 30 cms, so that the beds can be weeded by standing on the pathway.<br />Seed sowing : The seeds may be sown evenly spread over the beds, and a thin layer of fine soil is spread evenly over the seeds. This type of sowing may be done very small sized seeds of Hollock, Betula, Alder, Cedrella, Bogipoma etc. For bigger sized seeds, a small straight furrows across the length of the bed may be made in the beds with a light dibble or a wooden stick and the seeds sown in the furrows and covered up with soil.<br />How deep must the seeds be sown? : The Thumb Rule is to bury the seeds at the depth of the seeds’ diameter.<br />Moisture/Temperature of the Beds : Moisture and temperature of the soil in the Nursery beds are very important factors for germination of the seeds. To achieve this, the beds may be covered with transparent polythene sheets with it’s ends weighed down by small stones or clods of soil. This will prevent moisture loss through evaporation and increase the temperature of the nursery beds, though in practice this is easier said than done. It is more practical to expose the beds to the Suns to water the beds to maintain the correct moisture level in the nursery beds.<br />Time of Sowing : It is not easy to store seeds in bulk for planting in March-April, the best size of the seedling is about thumb or toe sized. To achieve this size the seeds may be sown in February-June, but most of the trees have not yet produced their seeds then and hence the seeds must collected the previous year. Thus to have optimum planting ,materials, the nursery should and must be sown one and half year before the year of plantation.<br />The best time of Sowing : The best time to sow the seeds is just after a shower. Normally in Nagaland, every month experiences at least one rain, and seeds sown in the nursery just after a rain in the month give very good result. It is therefore very important for a Tree Planter to have a very intimate knowledge of the weather of the locality. Some villagers say that seeds sown during the full moon is very successful.<br />Some species like Gomari produces ripe fruits in June-July and if immediately sown after the ripe fruits fall to the ground, they may be ready for planting in the next March-April, usually in the markedly seasonal hill areas of Nagaland, it takes more than one year to produce the planting materials.<br />Fertility of the nursery : For proper growth of the seedling a fertile soil is desirable, but when soil in the nursery is more fertile than the plantation site, the plants do not fare very well initially in the first year of the plantation but how successfully the plants have grown in the first year determines the success and failure of the Plantation. Therefore, raising of seedlings from normally fertile soil would be best suited in the field condition. In Nagaland, normally it is not necessary to add manure to a new nursery to ass manure to a nursery except for the nurseries which have been used for several years.<br />Weeding in the Nursery : Nursery cannot be weeded when the tree seedlings have not yet established their root system properly. If weeding is done, at this time the seedling would be uprooted. This is the reason why at the time of preparing nursery, the plant debris should be burnt thoroughly before original weed plants are burnt. Nursery can be weeded only when the root system of the seedlings have established properly. Leaves of the mature seedlings individuals may be plucked off to distribute sunlight to other smaller seedlings, so that all seedlings attain equal size.<br />Quantity of seeds in a Nursery Bed : Greater the number of seeds planted in a bed, smaller will be the size of the seedling at the time of planting. To get quality sized seedling (thumb size), the seed may be sown broadcast in the Nursery bed and then when they are few leaves old, some may be pricking out so that the remaining may be spaced at about 3-4 cms apart. The pricked out seedling may be planted in other prepare<br />6. Preparation on Seedling for Plantation: <br />In case of plantation of a limited area like in a household garden where only a few seedlings or at the most a few hundreds are required; seedlings may be prepared in polythene bags. If seedlings are to be raised in polythene bags, then one has to select the correct size materials.<br /><br />The first thing to be done is to collect polythene bags from the market which are available in various sizes. The seedlings grown in polybags will have to the transplanted at the end of the year, this would mean that a very big bag is not needed; only a 10 cms diameter would be suffice for raising one-year old seedlings. If you want to prepare bigger size seedling, you may select bigger polythene bags.<br />During the dry season, dry soil may be prepared into fine textured consistency, this may be filled into the polybags and compacted by holding the fully filled bag and dropping it to the ground from 30 cm above the ground without letting the soil spill out. When the soil settles at a level less than the mouth of the bag, more soil may be added to make the soil almost filling the bag fully. It may be mixed with manure if the soil is not fertile. Normally, soil that has been lying fallow for several years need no chemical fertilizers. Organic manure can be used if required. Seed are sown directly into the bags during the sowing season i.e February-June<br />The sown polybags should be preferably kept in shade and the soil not allowed to become dry. The drawback of this method is that when germination do not take place it is detected only after a period of time, then seed has to be sown again into the polybags but the time lost cannot be recovered. To avoid this drawback, the seeds can be sown broadcast in a prepared nursery bed and watered regularly. Watering of minute seeds (Hollock, Alder, Betula, Khokon, Kadam, even Cedrellas) should be not done by splashing water with ordinary water can because the water drops are liable to splash the minute seeds preventing the seeds the time to strike root. Water should be sprayed in the beds preferably till root system of the seedlings are well developed. Beds should be moist rather than wet. If beds are kept constantly moist, it may not require sheds. The seeds are allowed to germinate and grow up to about 3 cms to 5 cms and then pricked out and planted in the polybags and grown till it is fit for plantation in the field. Normally, however, the plants are allowed to grow in the nursery beds till the planting season when they may be uprooted and root-shoot stump prepared out of them.<br /> 7.Root-shoot Stump Preparation : <br />The seedlings raised in the polybags are costly and difficult to transport; transporting thousands of seedlings from nursery to plantation sites several Kms away in mountainous terrain on head load is not an easy task.<br />Therefore, instead of seedling, planting material known as Root shoot stump is prepared. This consists of a seedling whose root has been cut off at about 15 cms and the stem cut off at about 3 cms above the ground level.<br />A 1(one) year old seedling is dug out or pulled out of the ground by watering the soil thoroughly. If the soil is deep and soft, the seedlings can be pulled out without injury to the seedling; but if the seedlings have deep roots and the soil hard, such pulling can injure and damage the seedlings and effect the quality of the planting material. See that the seedling is taken out without injury.<br />It is better to dug out the seedlings and prepare the root shoot stumps. The root-shoot stump is prepared during February-March a few days before the planting. If they are stored in cool shed, they can be kept even for weeks. If stored in wet, hot and dark place, tender shoots may grow from the stump and may get crushed at the time of handling and spoil them.<br />Seedlings are dug out, the stem portion beyond 3 cm (above the ground) is cut off in a slanting manner to differentiate it from the root with a sharp Dao without smashing the bark of the seedling. Similarly, the root portion beyond 15 cm is cut off. The rootlets are trimmed without injuring the main tap root.<br /> WHEN YOU PLANT TREES, YOU ARE PLANTING<br /> AN INDUSTRY<br /> 8. Trees cannot grow without sunshine, hence the area must be clear felled of all vegetation. This operation is done during the winter. The plant materials become dry in about a month and by January the area is burned completely of the plant. This is accomplished by just one burning but by collecting the partially burned materials and repeatedly burning them. But even after removal of all green vegetation over ground, the roots and the underground portions of the plants remain alive and within a few weeks of spring rains, the whole area may be completely covered with fresh and new growths from the underground stumps of the old plants. But at the time of sowing the agri-crops, the underground rhizomes and tubers of most of the weeds and climbers are removed. This is one factor why the Trees planted in the jhum cultivation do very well. The shrub and climber are removed when the jhum cultivators do the traditional cleaning of their fields. Thus, the tree seedlings are greatly benefited by these jhum cultivation practices. Even in the second year, it is much easier to clean the area because the weed growth in the area are much decreased due to their complete removal more than once during the previous first year. Thus, it has been found that the tree growth is better in the jhum cultivation. Tree cultivation becomes costly and prohibitive for the common villagers unless it is taken up together with Jhum cultivation. Another important factor of the suitability of jhum cultivation for tree cultivation is the customary grazing practice which allows free grazing of areas not under jhum cultivation; so even if an area is planted with tree species, unless the area is also planted up with agricultural crops, none can prohibit traditional grazing in the area. If an area is planted only with the tree alone, the area has to be strongly fenced up to protect the trees from being grazed by cattle which is not an easy task in a jungle area. Therefore, tree planting along with Jhuming ensures the most effective control of grazing.<br /> PLANTING TREE IS AN ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITY<br />9. Spacing of Trees in Jhum Plantation<br />The soil of an area has a specific fertility and no area can support an indefinite number of vegetation than it’s fertility can allow. So under this specific fertility condition of soil, less the number of trees an area supports; greater is the food available to the trees resulting in faster growth of the trees. The value of tree is dependent on the size of sawn timber obtainable from the tree, and not much on it’s number. It is better to grow less number of trees in the unit areas, then to have lot of small trees. <br />It is more economic to grow less number of trees to obtain timber of maximum size than to produce many small size from a unit area. It is thus, important to plant only the correct number of trees per hectare. The spacing would determine the number of plants per hectare. This would vary from place to place and for other practical reasons of jhum cultivation. If the tree spacing is very close, it will also interfere with the growth of the food crop.<br />An important point to consider is that the denser the trees the lesser the weed growth. Weed poses a major problem to plantation in Nagaland and therefore there is tendency on the part of the tree farmers to plant a little more than the required number. Another reason for close spacing is for security against casualty, as replacement is a difficult task in Nagaland condition. Therefore, the planters decide to adopt closer spacing than the prescribed norms, but this has the danger of producing whippy trees thus greatly reducing the value of the plantations.<br />Plantation more than 833 trees per hectare is not advisable for timber purpose. Initially, trees have a fast height increment period and once the period is reached, them fast diameter increment period starts. If the trees are congested, diameter increment would suffer and therefore, as soon as the trees have attained their height period, they must be thinned. The size of trees of the thinned material will have a direct bearing on it’s value. Thousands will be thinned from a few hectares and if these do not fetch good price, it would be a great mismanagement of the tree plantation and the resources. If the thinned material has an average diameter of less than 10 cm., it would not fetch a good price.<br />Therefore, the tree should be planted at such spacing that they attain their height growth when the average tree has a diameter of about 10 cm in about 4-6 years. Thus various factors taken into considerations, the best spacing are:<br />5 metres x 4 metres = 500 trees per hectare<br />4 metres x 4 metres = 625 trees per hectare<br />4 metres x 3 metres = 833 trees per hectare<br />5 metres x 4 metres Spacing : <br /> The plants may be planted in lines of 5 meters apart so that food crops may be raised in the inter space. In lines, the trees may be planted at every 4 metres. This will give about 5oo trees per hectare.<br />4 metres x 4 metres:<br /> The plants may be planted in 4 metres apart in lines and row. This will give 625 trees per hectare.<br />4 metres x 3 metres<br /> The plants are spaced at 3 metres apart in lines of 4 metres apart. This will give 833 trees per hectare.<br /> Under Nagaland conditions of plant growth, species like Teak, Gamari, Neem, Kadam, Khokan, Sam, attains it’s normal height growth in about 3 to 4 years. As soon as they attain the normal height growth, they begin to attain their diameter growth rapidly. But if the trees are congested around 4 years of age, their diameter increment will suffer resulting in price fall. And plantation being an investment, every thing possible should be done to get maximum returns.<br /> Those who want to grow other crops together with the tree species may adopt the 5 metres x 4 metres spacing or even 6 metres x 4 metres spacing. But if agri-crops are not grown then lower spacing may be adopted.<br /> The first thinning of the plantation will fetch some income from the 5th year or so of the plantation. In such a plantation, a spacing of 4 metres x 3 metres or 4 metres x 4 metres may be adopted as by then, the trees may attain about 30 cm girth or 10 cm diameter. These thinned materials can be sold as Bally post.<br />Preparation of Plantation Sites:<br /> The plantation sites may be prepared in the same way as one prepares for jhum cultivation. In the cool mountains where winter is a definitely marked feature, the jhum jungle clearance starts in about October but in the lower elevations, the jungle clearance can be done even in February-March. In the mountains, by February, soil preparation for paddy begins and when the site is completely cleaned and burnt of debris; it is ready for sowing of paddy, the root shoot stump should be planted along with it simultaneously. The trees should be planted in lines that may run roughly in the North South direction to get better sunshine.<br /> THE BEST LEGACY YOU CAN LEAVE TO FUTURE<br /> GENERATION IS TO LEAVE A TREE FARM TO<br /> YOUR CHILDREN<br /> 10. In the line, at selected spacing point the soil may be worked by dibbling with a small dibble upto a depth more than the length of the stump. When the soil is dibbled soft and deep enough, the root shoot stump is inserted into the soil so that the tip of the stump is about 2-3 cm above the ground level to prevent the stump from getting drowned during heavy and prolonged rain. If the area is plain, the soil may be gathered into a small hump above the general level of the ground so that the planting spot will not have any stagnant water. <br />After the stump is planted, the soil around the stump may be pressed firmly so that there are no air spaces around the stump in the ground. The stump should be perpendicular to the horizontal level so as to prevent it from growing to a curved stem if planted at an angle. A curved stem will greatly decrease the value of the log in the future. In the slopes the stumps are planted 2-5 cm above the ground to avoid and prevent soil from above the field burying it which may results in decay and death of the stumps.<br />11. Species Mixture in the Plantation:<br />A number of species is given in the paragraph on Elevation zones, but it has not been mentioned how they should be mixed in any plantation. The species mentioned are grouped into two (two) classes in order to facilitate scientific management. All the species mentioned are not only fast growing but are also able to give good returns to the grower. Some are very fast growing, hence they are mixed a Fast growing species to a very fast growing. This is done because very fast growing species are less valuable than fast growing species but they grow big enough to be harvested around 5 to 8 years of planting when the plantation must be thinned to facilitate the quick diameter growth of the costly fast growing species. Thus, when the very fast growing species are removed, the plantation will give sufficient space to the remaining more valuable economic species. If thinning is not done when the plants are about 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) diameter and they become crowded, then the plants will become whippy and become like Bamboo with very little value as a timber.<br />The Fast growing species (FG) are :<br /> Teak, Gamari, Sam, Hollock, Bogipoma, Pine, Cedrella, Betula, Tita sopa, Koroi.<br />The Very Fast growing (VFG) species are :<br /> Ghora neem, Naga neem, khokon, and other being identified.<br /><br />Species Mixture Plan : <br /> Plant spacing<br />Ist Line 1 2 3 4 5 6<br /> VFG FG VFG FG VFG FG<br />2nd Line 7 8 9 10 11 12<br /> VFG FG VFG FG VFG FG<br />3rd Line 13 14 15 16 17 18<br /> VFG FG VFG FG VFG FG<br />4th Line 19 20 21 22 23 24<br /> VFG FG VFG FG VFG FG<br />12. Weeding: <br /> Because of the good natural conditions for plant growth, weed growth in Nagaland is problematically very fast. On a qualitative scale, the weeds in Nagaland grows almost 52 times faster than the tree species. This is why weeding of plantation is economically not viable. Therefore, this is the reason alone in Nagaland TREE PLANTATION is ideally practicable only with JHUM CULTIVATION. At the time of weeding the paddy, the tree plants are automatically weeded without extra effort and costs.<br />Therefore, jhum cultivation has great potentials on Nagaland.<br />If tree plantation is done by all jhum cultivators; in one generation, Nagaland can become a timber producing State.. It is not possible for a few government servants of the State Forest Department with meager budget to plant enough trees for the State. Every cultivator in Nagaland can plant at least a few trees every year together with his Jhum cultivation and planting of 50 trees by each cultivator and nurturing them is not difficult as it is planted along with the jhum crops and would/does not increase his work.<br /> Tree plantation is the only enterprise which will uplift the economy of every Naga villagers, thereby ensuring prosperity.<br />The Hornbill festival held in the first week of December shows that with its stunning natural beauty and great cultural traditions, Nagaland can offer a rich fare to tourists.<br />NAGALAND, with its diverse tribal culture, is a land of festivals. A narrow strip of mountainous territory with rugged hills, emerald valleys, sparkling streams and a rich variety of flora and fauna, the 16th State of the Indian Union has salubrious climate throughout the year. It is bounded by Assam in the west, Myanmar in the east, Arunachal Pradesh in the north and Manipur in the south. Sometimes referred to as the `Switzerland of the East', Nagaland represents unimaginable beauty, moulded perfectly for a breathtaking experience. For the adventurous, the State is an ideal place for trekking and jungle camping and offers limitless possibilities for exploring its lush sub-tropical rainforests, which are a treasure trove of medicinal plants. The 20-lakh-strong Naga people, by nature, are fun lovers, and life in Nagaland is one long festival.<br /><br />A Naga girl<br />Each of the 16 major tribes and many sub-tribes in the State has its own way of maintaining its distinctive cultural traditions and customs, through various forms of performing arts, which are an integral part of Naga festivals. Each of the tribal communities that dwell in the hills can be distinguished by the colourful and intricately designed costumes, jewellery and beads that its members wear. The traditional ceremonial attire of each tribe is different from that of the other. There are the multi-coloured spears and daos decorated with dyed goat's hair, the headgear made of finely woven bamboo interlaced with orchid stems and adorned with boar's teeth and hornbill's feathers, and ivory armlets. In the olden days, warriors had to prove their valour if they wanted to wear these.<br /><br />Nagas are admired for their rich repertory of folk dances and songs. In spite of the tremendous advance of modernity into their lives, the Naga people have a penchant for vibrant dances and songs praising the brave deeds of ancient warriors and folk heroes, love songs that immoralise tragic love stories, gospel songs and folk tunes. Festivals are celebrated by the various tribes year around; during festivals villages become most lively. Most of the dances have a robust rhythm.<br />Festivals mainly revolve around agriculture, it being the mainstay of the economy. Over 85 per cent of the population of Nagaland is directly dependent on agriculture and lives in the 1,000-odd villages situated on hilltops or slopes overlooking verdant valleys. In this blissful setting, Nagas enjoy nature with a rare gusto that visitors to the State look at with awe and admiration. In most of these places agriculture consists of a single crop. Although some religious and spiritual sentiments are inter-woven into secular rites and rituals, the predominant theme of the festivals is the offering of prayers to a supreme being, which has different names in different Naga dialects. At these festivals, the gods are propitiated with sacrifices by the head of the village, for a bountiful harvest, either before sowing or on the eve of the harvest. In fact, agricultural work and religion are so interwoven in Naga society that it is difficult to describe the festivals independent of the processes of agriculture.<br />Some of the important festivals celebrated by the tribes are Sekrenyi by the Angamis in February, Moatsu by the Aos in May, Tsukhenyie by the Chakhesangs in January, Aoling by the Konyaks in April, Mimkut by the Kukis in January, Bushu by the Kacharis in January, Tuluni by the Sumis in July, Nyaknylum by the Changs in July, Tokhu Emong by the Lothas in November and Yemshe by the Pochurys in October.<br />For encouraging inter-tribal cultural interaction and bringing together the festivals of the various tribes under one umbrella, the Government of Nagaland has evolved a festival called the Hornbill festival, where one can see a melange of Naga cultural displays at one place. Organised by the State Directorate of Tourism every year between December 1 and 5 in Kohima since 2000, the festival is intended to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage and attract tourists. The festival, in a way, is also a tribute to the hornbill, a bird most admired by the Naga people for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. This majestic bird is linked closely with the social and cultural life of the people, as is evident in tribal folklores, dances and songs. The awe and admiration for the bird is symbolically displayed on almost all traditional tribal headgears worn during festivities.<br />Hornbill National Rock Contest <br />The Hornbill National Rock Contest may well be the longest music festival in the country, it being a seven-day-long festival.<br />Such extravaganza is in keeping with the essence of the many Naga festivals; marked by feasts, dances, games and music, all in full measure. Nagas do not do things in small instalments. These celebrations invariably coincide with agricultural lean periods such as after-harvest, and therefore the feeling of gaiety and generosity, even to a fault. In the old days the rich used to host several-day-long feasts in which the villagers revelled, and guests from other villages were feted. These were times when the youth were pitted against each other in friendly competitions in performing arts and traditional sports, while the old proudly looked on.<br />Circumstances have changed; some have moved on while a few still embraces the old ways. Nevertheless, in either case the joie de vivre of the Nagas lives on. The annual Hornbill Festival, and therefore the Hornbill National Rock, is set in this background. In time, the event hopes to go international.<br /><br />Hornbill Rock Contest 2007 winners<br />Hornbill Car Rally <br />The Hornbill Car Rally is an annual event along with the Hornbill festival. It is supported by the Government of Nagaland and organized by the Nagaland Adventure and Motor sports Association (NAMSA) where Top drivers and co-drivers from across the Country participate.<br />The rally promises to grow into an attractive event in the coming years with even attractive prize money for the winners. The rally is a visual delight with speedy cars zipping across beautiful landscapes and hills of Nagaland.<br /> The Hornbill Rally is being run on the internationally acclaimed ‘Special Stage’ format, which guarantees zero opposite traffic to the participants. The fastest competitor gets zero penalties while the rest of the competitors are given penalties according to the time difference of the leader and them, in every stage. The team that logs the least penalties at the end of the two days is declared the winner. The Hornbill Rally 2007 was sponsored by the Government of Nagaland and supported by JK Tyre & Industries Limited. <br />Along, Hatba win Hornbill Car Rally 2007 <br />Dimapur-based driver and co-driver Along Aier and Hatba Wangnao consolidated their first leg lead in the Hornbill Rally 2007 to emerge overall winner of the Hornbill Rally 2007 at Kohima.<br /><br />“We had a brilliant run today and finished comfortably on top,” said a smiling Along at the end of the rally at Tourist Lodge here.<br /><br />The winners had a minute and 44 seconds to spare as they finished the rally with a total penalty of 2:15:22. They also won the first place in the T1 (modified) category and the top spot in the Regional class. The duo received a total cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for the three top spots.<br /><br />Lima Jamir and Imkong Yapang from Mokokchung continued to run third in the overall placing and won the T2 (un-modified) class coming second in the Regional class also. "We are a happy lot today after the Hornbill Rally", said a visibly elated Lima, who became richer by Rs 1, 30,000 after the victory.<br /><br />The leads from the first leg almost continued to be the same, except for Prakash Momin and Daniel Sangma who climbed one position to finish 5 th overall. 12 finishers of the first leg started the second leg of the Hornbill Rally 2007 today morning at 7.30 a.m. and went on the stages.<br /><br />There were two drop outs, namely Sandeep Sharma and Ashwin Naik, who pulled out with engine problems, and Toshi and Mar Aier who went off the road. Ten teams finished the Hornbill Rally 2007 at around 3 p.m.<br /><br />The evening followed with a glittering prize distribution function at the Heritage Bungalow in Kohima, attended by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.<br /><br />The Hornbill Rally 2007 was sponsored by the Government of Nagaland and supported by JK Tyre and Industries Limited. The rally will be an annual event according to the Government of Nagaland and the organizers Nagaland Adventure and Motorsports Association (NAMSA).<br />"S E K R E N Y I"<br />(The Festival of Angami Tribe)<br /> The Angamis celebrate SEKRENYI in the month of February. It normally falls on the 25th day of the Angami month of "KEZEI". The ten-day festival is also called PHOUSANYI by the Angamis.<br />The festival follows a circle of ritual and ceremony, the first being "KIZIE". A few drops of rice water taken from the top of the jug, called "ZUMHO" are put in to leaves and placed at the three main posts of the house by the lady of the household. The first day begins with all young and old going to the village well to bathe.<br />In the night, two young men will go to the well to clean it. Some of the village youth guard the well in the night as no one is allowed to fetch water after cleaning the well. The womenfolk, especially, are not allowed to touch the well water. Hence they have to see that water is fetched for the household before the well cleaning.Early the next morning, all the young men of the village rise to wash themselves at the well. The whole process is carried out in a ritualistic manner. The young men will don two new shawls ( the white Mhoushü and the black Lohe) and sprinkle water on their breast, knees and on their right arm. This ceremony is called "DZUSEVA" (touching the sleeping water) and it assures them that all their ills and misfortunes have been washed away by the purified well-water.<br />On their return from the well, a cock is sacrificed by throttling it with the bare hands. It is taken as a good omen when the right leg falls over the left leg as the cock falls down. The innards of the fowl are taken out hung outside the house for the Village elders to come and inspect it. Beginning from the fourth day of the festival, a three-day session of singing and feasting starts.<br />The THEKRA HIE is the best part of the festival where the young people of the village sit together and sing traditional songs throughout the day. Jugs of rice-beer and plates of meat are placed before the participants. On the seventh day the young men go for hunting. The most important ceremony falls on the eighth day when the bridge-pulling or gate-pulling is performed or inter-village visits are exchanged. Until the close of the festival no one goes to the fields and all field work ceases during this season of feasting and song.<br />The young unmarried girls with closely shaven heads sit down with the bronzed youth sing tunes bygone ages, recreating a past where no care touched the human soul. <br />"MOATSÜ MONG"<br />(The Festival of Ao Tribe)<br /> The Aos observe Moatsü Mong after the sowing is done and the mother earth begins to show the sign of fertility. It provides the Aos the period of recreation after the strenuous job which goes into clearing fields, burning jungles and sowing seeds, cleaning up the Tsübu (Wells) and repairs and construction of houses by elders of the Putu Menden stretching over a week. The festivals marked by vigorous songs and dances, merrymaking and fun, is now observed only for three days from 1 to 3 May.<br />The natural customary practice of the forefathers was competing in making the best rice-bear and rearing the best possible pigs and cow to be slaughtered during the festival.<br /> The womenfolk would weave the best of traditional garments and adorn themselves with all their fineries. They would join the men folk in dancing eating and drinking and composing warrior songs.Singing songs in praise of the lovers and the village as a whole was done and the older men folk would encourage the young people to be bold and heroic to defend and protect them from enemies as head-hunting was practiced during the forefathers time.<br />During this festival one of the symbolic celebrations is SANGPANGTU where a big fire is lid and women and men sit around it. The best women serve the best wine and meat and make merry. Forecast is made by the righteous men who live by the guidance of the Almighty to see whether good or evil days are awaiting the people.<br />TSÜNGREM MONG<br />Aos has another festival called Tsüngrem Mong. It is celebrated in the eve of the harvest. However, now a days the Aos celebrate this festival from 1 to 3 August.<br />Prior to the start of the festival the Village will declare the Süngküm (Village Gate) closed and free entry or exit is restricted and regulated for people who do not belong to that particular village.<br />Parties of old and young wearing their colourful costumes sing songs and perform dances to express their gratitude to the supreme Power fro helping the crops to grow well. They provide the best offerings to the supreme Power for abundant blessings<br />These festivals provide opportunities to the budding generations and village stalwart to demonstrate their intellectual skill and physical powers.<br />A handful of young men hold the stage and tell amusing stories about their elders. Peals of laughter greet them and young and old jump in excitement.<br />These festivals are usually rounded off by a tug of war between men and women. Stories are galore that men lose to please their womenfolk. But none has refuted the argument that attracted by charm of their opponents, absorbed by their sweet songs and regaled by their very presence men lose gracefully.<br />The only defense offered is that men have to pull uphill and the women downhill. Whatever the spirit behind this sport it is a treat to see and an honour to participate.<br />(The Festivals of Chakhesang Tribe)<br />The Chakhesang community celebrates seven festivals in a year as shown below;<br /> 1. SÜHKRÜHNYE -15 January<br /> 2. NGUNYE -1 February<br /> 3. TSAKRONYE -1st Sunday of March<br /> 4. TÜKHANYE/TSÜKHENYIE -6 May<br /> 5. KHUTHONYE -15 July<br /> 6. THURINYE/KHILUVATÜ -1 December<br />SÜHKRÜHNYE<br />SÜHKRÜHNYE is the most important festival and is celebrated on 15th January. During this festival the boys and girls are sanctified through religious ceremonies and rituals.<br />As a matter of fact, SÜHKRÜHNYE covers eleven days starting from ‘NYEDE’ and within five days including ‘NYEDE’ necessary preparations are made for the rest of six days of festivity period.<br />The first days of the festivity period is known as ‘CEDÜ’. On this very day animals are killed and every household sprinkles the blood of the killed animals on the main post of the house. The first fetched out SÜHKRÜHNYE wine is offered to the deities of banana leaf tumblers and the cooked meat and rice-bear are offered to the High-Priest and Priests of the village in expectation of blessings.<br />The second day is ‘SÜHKRÜH’ mean for men folk. ‘SÜHKRÜH’ signifies sanctification of young, innocent and unspoiled boys for this ritualistic ceremony. On this day every man is supposed to take a fresh water bath and are forbidden to use water fetched by women. To perform this ritualistic ceremony (SÜHKRÜH) everything is new including utensils and fireplace. The men folk go to the well early in the morning before any animals and bird touches or partakes of the water and take a fresh water bath immediately after the first crow of the cock which indicates the breaking of the new day, in order to sanctify themselves. Thereafter, the unpolluted water, considered to be holy, is brought home, fire is made out of the fire making method and unblemished cock is killed and cooked with the holy water and eat it to sanctify the boy/boys for the rest of their lives. Even when a new house is constructed ‘SÜHKRÜH’ is performed in order to get his house sanctified. This whole process is called ‘SÜHKRÜH’ and ‘NYE’ is known as festival.<br />On this day the entire men folk go for community bird-trapping. The collected birds are hung on a decorated tip of a tall bamboo as a symbol of SÜHKRÜHNYE. Different kinds of birds so caught are believed to foretell the fortunes for the forthcoming days of the year of the concerned individual.<br />The third day is called ‘THÜNO NUSO’ which is mean for women only. The mother perform this ceremonial ritual to sanctify her young innocent daughter/daughters. ‘THÜNO NUSO’ is much simpler than that of ‘SÜHKRÜH’ They prepare unblemished young hen and eat to sanctify themselves for their entire lives.<br />The forth days is known as ‘MÜTHI CELHÜ’ where social feasts such as MÜLELHÜ or feast of social age groups, ZHOTHO MUZA (Feast of merit), etc. begins. This day is set aside from religious restrictions.<br />The fifth days is known as ‘CEDÜ ZHONGU’ which means accomplishment of the festivals. The sixth and the last day is known as ‘THÜNYE MÜKRA’. Now that the festival’s religious pursuits are relaxed, to make the last of ‘SÜHKRÜHNYE’ they continue feasting, dancing and singing throughout the day and night till dawn.<br />With the coming of the Christianity, ‘SÜHKRÜHNYE’s religious and traditional ceremonies and rituals are no longer in practice in most of the villages. However, ‘SÜHKRÜHNYE’ is still celebrated with great significance and enthusiasms mostly by the Chokris in Phek district. During this traditional festival the indigenous games, folk songs, folk dance and sports fully occupy the festive period of sixth days starting from 15th January in keeping with Christian spirit.<br />SÜHKRÜHNYE being a festival of sanctification, it is also marked as Christian’s Day. Water baptism can take place on this occasion. SÜHKRÜHNYE is a time of joyful celebration and so people do anticipate and yearn for the next to come.<br />TSÜKHENYIE<br />The TSÜKHENYIE festival is also an important festival for the Chakhesang. Earlier it was usually celebrated at the end of the 3rd lunar month of March, but now it is being observed on 6th May.<br />A new year of activities begins with the arrival of Spring. All sports and games and other youth activities which began after the harvest will cease with the closing of this festival.<br /> The festival lasts for four days. On the first morning, the village Priest will offer sacrifice with the first cock that crowed that morning. Also, early that morning, all male folks (any male person who can use a spear) come to a designated well (where only male folks are allowed) and purify themselves by bathing. This purification is important. Any acts not conforming to the set rites and ceremonies will be frowned at and will bring bad luck to the person or the family. In this bathing ceremony, they use only new gourd dipper (for hauling water) specially set aside for this day, and also put on new dresses. After the bath is performed they invoke the Almighty for strength, long life, good harvest, and other blessings.<br />During this festival only the best (unblemished) of the male domestic animals will be slaughtered for consumption. No female livestock will be slaughtered. New wine will be prepared and used. The meat and other food prepared will be shared with the best friends (khwukhe or hachhi). Games and sports, music competition is organized among the different age groups after which feast is also organized among those different age groups.<br />During this festival, the married women go to the their parents house and prepare the best food for their husbands. In some villages, the male youths will declare the most beautiful girl of the village for the year.<br />At the end of the festival, all the traditional games and music articles will be stored away (kehale-mekhi) and not used till the necessary rites are performed for their use in the next after-harvest festival. Even the plates, which are used for presenting food to the spirits of the dead, will be thrown till the next opening of such performances after the harvest (kehale-methsü). All leisure activities will be forbidden after this festival.<br />As the festival ends with the invocation of new blessings, all leisure activities will be left behind and from then on will concentrate only in the activities of the fields and other related activities. With it the sowing of paddy and planting of new seeds start.<br />Tsükhenyie is a festival, which celebrates the culmination of all leisure activities, and a festival for welcoming a new fruitful life and year.<br />The Festivals of Chang Tribe<br /><br /> According to the oral traditional story of the Chang it is said that they have emerged from a place known as "Changsangmongko" and settle at a place called ‘CHANGSANG’ This was the first named village for Changs. There at the centre of the village they construct a platform called "MULLANGSHON". It is a platform of progress and prosperity, which became the public court for deliberating all the major issues & cases heard and judgement delivered.Social issues like village administration, cultivation, festivals, worships, marriage systems, boundaries of the land, war and peace making were also taken up in this platform. Decision delivered and judgements passed from this Mullang Shon become the final order.<br />The Changs usually observe six major festivals in a year. Out of which the three festivals namely (1) Poang Lem (2) Jeinyu Lem (3) Kundang Lem were monitored by Haongang Clan. The remaining three festivals (1) Muong Lem (2) Naknyu Lem (3) Monyu Lem, were monitored by Ung Clan. In this way the tradition was maintenance for generation and is followed till date.<br />The counting of the days and the fixation of the festivals were made in the following manners :<br />At the time of counting the days for fixation of festival a chicken offering is made for appeasing the God. Each Clan while performing such, a ritual has to observe much sanctity. All festivals were fixed six days ahead except the KUNDANG LEM and NAKNYU LEM. The Kungdang Lem was treated as the youngest and fixed five days ahead. Whereas the Naknyu Lem was treated with much awe, so was fixed just before two days ahead. It should start on the dark-moon-day as the main festival day.<br />KUNDANG LEM<br />Kungdang Lem is observed in the eight month (April) of Chang Calendar. This festival is observed for five days only. During the first three days, materials for construction of field huts in Jhum cultivated areas are collected and the area is tested on the fourth day. On the fifth days the relatives collectively go to the fields for construction of the huts. Thereafter, in the evening, feasting take place at home after they return from the fields. The sixth day is also kept for feasting. The seventh day is observed as “AOLAAK JAANBU” – planting or raising a kind of tree which bear bunches of sour fruits.<br /> NAKNYU LEM<br />It was believed that in ancient days, during the forefather’s time, the entire world was enveloped with total darkness, day and night could not be differentiated. The darkness was so thick that people could not even go out for collection of firewood and water. They remained inside their home for complete six days and by then they become short of everything. In order to keep the fire burning inside homes they burned out every available things and when nothing was left they are compelled to burn even the horns of buffaloes, mithuns and cows that were hang in front of the houses.<br />On the seventh day the light came as usual. The people of the earth became extremely happy and by way of giving thanks to the God this Naknyu lem was held. In this Naknyu lem no worship is performed but certain rules are strictly observed.<br />This festival is held on the eleventh month of Chang calendar which falls during July. The counting of the days and the announcing of the day is made by the Ungshedbou of Ung Clan. It should be a sudden announcement leaving two days gap only. It starts on the last day of the moon, i.e. flour grinding day. Domestic animals are slaughtered, young and old play spinning tops while music and laughter pervades from the women folks as they play the kongkhin (in Chang) made out of bamboo split. Village streets are swept and cleaned so do houses and their surroundings. Firewood and water are stocked.<br />The second day, which is the dark-moon-day is called ‘Youjem’. On this day no one go out of the village, even for drawing water . There are exchanges of gifts and food items among the friends and relatives. Meat, wine and freshly packed breads are plentifully used. Sports like Top spinning, tug of war, high jump, long jump, climbing of oiled pole and jumping and grapping big lumps of well cooked meat hang in row along bamboo rope. Women play on kongkhin. They too compete with this instrument. Men and women, young and old, all engage themselves in feasting and merrymaking the whole day but no dancing.<br />On this occasion the footpath and all the houses are decorated by placing leaves; a kind of herbal shrub called ‘NGOUNAAM’ (Eiziholfziablanda) which is a must to plant at every front of the house forward off evil spirits. The people, especially the children, put the leaves in their ear lobes so that no evil spirit will harm them.<br />In the evening, at the time of sunset, everybody remained inside the house. No man walks and rooms outside. During this hour, in the front and back door of every house a seed called ‘Vui long’ (Tape seeds) are buried inside paddy husks and burnt. Every member of the family remained still to hear the bursting sound of the seed. The tape seed explodes and if the sound and the exploding fragments bounds back towards the house . It is a bad omen and if the sound is good and the fragments bounds off it means good fortune. At this hour, ‘Shambuli Muhgha’, a God from heaven descends and visits every house and any one found outside is harmed. The third day is the day is the day of cleaning the village surroundings and approach roads. Aftyer the celebration of this festival other activities like cleaning of paths leading to the fields and neighboring villages starts . A daughter born in this month is named as Monyu.<br />Besides, the Chang celebrated (1) Poang Lem (2) Jeinyu Lem (3) Muong Lem and (4 Monyu Lem<br />"B U S H U"<br />(The festival of Kachari Tribe)<br /> The Kacharis celebrate a number of festivals in a year. Among them the most important ones Bushu of Buhsu Jiba which is widely celebrated by the Dimasa Kacharis and (b) Baisagn-the spring festival of the Mech (Boro) Kacharis.<br />The Bushu is basically a post harvest festival and usually falls in the month of January every year after all the hard earned grains of paddy are harvested, thrashed and stored in the granaries. Although the exact date and place of the festival is not generally fixed, people see to it that it is celebrated when<br />there is moonlight in the nights because it is believed to be auspicious.<br />Recently, the people have decided to celebrated the festival in the last week of January. The other festival Baisagn is celebrated in the second week of April coinciding with the New Year Day of the Hindu calendar. The mode of celebration of these two festivals being basically similar, the soul of these festivals is feasting and merrymaking with socio-cultural activities.<br />Bushu is celebrated either village-wise or sometimes a number of villages in contiguous area together organise the festival. This promotes better unity and understanding among the people of all ages and social status. The food items of the festival include rice, mutton, chicken, pork, buffalo meat and rice beer. The killing of these animals is known as ‘Meesthaiba’ which involves ritualistic performance before the animals are actually killed. Thereafter the village Priest prays on behalf of the people and places an offering of cooked rice and meat in the name of ‘Sibarai’ the Creator. This offering is known as ‘Meedo-Karba’. This is followed by feasting and merrymaking through songs and dances in which people of all ages and sex participate. Traditional sports called ‘Rimin-nehlaiba’ (consists of two opponents trying to push each other holding a wooden bar by hands below the armpit and ‘Longthai-suguba’ (lifting of heavy stones ) etc. are played. Also competitions on cultural dances, folk songs, folktales etc. are held during the festival. The dancing group also performs in honor of the village chief or any invited quest which is known as ‘Bai-sengna’. The honored quest offers some ‘present’ to the group as a gesture of acknowledgement of the honor.<br />Bushu is of three types :<br />1. Hangsho-which lasts for 7 days and 7 nights.<br />2. Surem – lasts for 3 days and 3 nights.<br />3. Jidep Jiba – lasts for 1 day and 1 night.<br />Among these the last one is generally observed in every village.<br />The origin of this festival dates back to the days of yore. From time immemorial each Dimasa village had a youth dormitory called ‘Nohdrung’. All the male adults, particularly the youth lived in the dormitory and quard the village from theft, enemy raids etc. Besides. This served as the learning centre of handicraft, music, dance and other forms art. It was from this rural institution that gave rise to the idea of holding an annual feast after the paddy grains are harvested and stored. In the later years all the villages began to give religious importance to the feast and thus became an important festival of the people . Till today this festival is celebrate with pomp and grandeur by the Dimasa Kacharis.<br />"MIU"<br />(The Festival of Khiamniungan Tribe)<br /> This festival held in the first week of May every year. One of the main significance of this festival is to build cordial relations and to make close-knit relation between the maternal uncle and his sisters offspring i.e. (Nephews and Niece). It is during this festival that the maternal uncle offers a very special prayer by invoking the supernatural Deity to grant good health, prosperous life and power over enemy to his Nephews and Niece.<br />On this occasion Niece and Nephews visit their Maternal Uncle with presents like Clothes, Dao’s and other things besides edible items like – Fermented Breweries, sticky rice and cooked or uncooked meat. This is also a very special occasion of FORGIVE and FORGET between Maternal Uncle and his Niece or Nephews. But if the differences or disputes is beyond pardonable on the part of Maternal Uncle, he will not allow his Niece and Nephews to visit his house for getting blessing. In the event of such happenings it is believed that the future life of his Niece and Nephews lay in shambles. But refusing to give blessing is a very rare case.<br />The significance of this festival is also to mark the seedling in the new field in which all the families of the village go to their Khetis and perform Pujas and prayer by offering animal blood and flesh with other food stuffs to their Deity. The people also pray to bless them with strong, handsome and beautiful children. They too pray for increase of animals and grains in the field and ask for prevention of crops from damage and visitation of plague over human and animals.<br />This festival is also known as dividing line between merrymaking season and the start of working season. From this festival onwards people stops performing folk songs and dances till the next joyous festival called TSOKÜM’ comes. The elders of the Tribe and also the villages stops to enter any treaty or hold any diplomatic welfare ties with any Tribe and villages.<br /> TSOKÜM FESTIVAL<br />This festival is held during the first week of October. This is mainly observed to give thanks to the Almighty Deity for giving good crops and safeguarding life in the family. During this festival animals like Mithun, Buffaloes, Cows, Pigs etc, are killed and sacrificed to appease their God. A portion of neck and limps of the animals killed is then collected in the ‘Morung’ in the form of compulsory donation. The next day all the male folks of the village go to make or repair the roads and bridges between the villages and also the roads leading to their Khetis. On their return home from work, they partake of the food and breweries half way which has been kept arranged by the villagers out of the meat donated by those who killed animals during the festival.<br />One of the main significance of this festival is to grant permission the right to harvest and test the new crops . It is also during this time that each warriors of the village is in a liberty to display his hunted trophies by marking on the sharpened wood so that the people will come to know how many man one has killed during his life time.<br /> <br />"AOLEANG MONYU"<br />(The Festival of Konyak Tribe)<br /> The entire Konyak Community of Nagaland, observed Aoleong Monyu in the first week of Aoleong Lee (April) every year since time immemorial. Aoleang is observed after completion of sowing of seeds in the new fields and to marks the end of the old year and to welcome the new year beginning with spring when a riot of flowers in every hue start to bloom. It is time to ask Almighty God for beautiful harvest of crops in that very year. The Aoleang Monyu is spread over six days. Each day has separate names and different significance : (1) Hoi Lai Yah Nyih (2) Yin Mok Pho Nyih, (3) Yin Mok Shek Nyih (4) Lingnyu Nyih (5) Lingha Nyih and (6) Lingshan Nyih.<br />1. The first day is called "HOI LAI YAH NYIH" which means the preparation day of the Aoleong Monyu. On this day every arrangement is made for the Aoleaong, like collection of firewood, banana leaves, vegetables etc. The rice beer is also stored on this day. New clothes are woven and all necessary ornament are prepared. On this day, the head of the family goes to the jhum field and sacrifices a chicken and sprinkles its hot blood on the "WUMJONG" altar with an invocation to the supreme Power for helping to grow crops well. By taking out the intestine, he predicts the future of his family. A leg of chicken with food is given to the neighbour of the new jhum field of that year. The food is carefully put into leaves and brought home and given to the family members after the prayers and ceremony. On that day also, a stage called "Aoleang WAKAM" is constructed in every "PANS" Morungs for the dancing parties.<br />2. The second day is called "YIM MOK PHO NYIH" The domestic animals like Buffaloes, Mithuns, Cows and Pigs etc. have to be searched and roped in and tethered to a past to be killed during the Aoleang. In addition to that young boys those who have not yet joined in head hunting were taken to the jungles for proxy head hunting . On their return from the jungles, the next day, young boys and girls have to be tabooed on that day.<br />3. The third day is called "YIM MOK SHEK NYIH" which means the day for killing of animals. On this day, the green signal for the start of the festival is given by hosting of well decorated Bamboo Flag "KOIPHONG" Right after the hosting the young men start playing the logdrum and go to their own houses to kill the animals. All the men gathered at the Morung will have best chosen food and rice beer before they go to their houses. The youngsters in the age group between 15 to 20 years together kill some domestic animals and take the meat to their parents after they enjoy the day.<br />4. The fourth day is called "LINGNYU NYIH" which means the great day amongst the six days of Aoleang Monyu. On this day, men and women wear beautiful ornaments and spend the whole day in community feasts, amusements, dances and merry making. Every house prepares the best feast and shares it with friends, relatives and neighbours. In the afternoon, all the men go to the main entrance gate of the village and have a feast there and teach the young men the art of head-hunting. On their return from the place called "PEJONG" which means entrance of the village, the men group themselves according to different Morungs and start dancing. Led by their leaders, they visit each other’s Morung and express each other’s good and bad qualities through songs.<br />The normal themes of the songs are the victory over the enemy, asking Almighty God for bountiful crops etc. The dance party holds enemy’s heads in their hands and display in front of others Morung their victory over their enemies. In the evening, all the groups gather at a place called "SHAOCHONG" where the heads, legs and hands of enemy are kept. All the groups dance together and fire the guns. The old and young men who can shoot the gun go to their own houses with loaded gun and fire in front of their houses to signify the "LINGNYU NYIH".<br />5. The fifth day is called "LINGHA NYIH". This day is observed by honoring each other ; the old men are honoured by the young ; young boys and their parents call on their married sisters and daughter’s respectively and after them best feasts ; married daughters also visit their parents and offer them the best feasts; married daughters also visit and offer grand feasts to their parents. On this day families of the dead visit the burial sites of their dead relatives and pay their last homage to the departed souls. A special feast is arranged on this day to renew the friendship made by parents and to make the friendship last for posterity amongst the descendants. They also visit permanently declared household friends and exchange best prepared food items. permanently declared households friends and exchange well-prepared food items. Permanently declared household friendship continues for years together best portion of meat are exchanged between these households.<br />6. The sixth day is called "LINGSHAN NYIH" which means final day of the Aoleang Monyu. The day is spent in cleaning the village and houses which were made dirty during the Aoleang Days.<br />"MIMKUUT"<br />(The Festival of Kuki Tribe)<br /> Minkuut is the harvest festival of the Kukis. Kukis of Nagaland celebrate this festival on 17th Kuki month of Tolbol (January) every year. The celebration lasts one week. Besides Mimkuut, Kukis celebrate Chapphou Kuut Chavang Kuut as well as other smaller festivals.<br />It is believed that Mimkuut and other festivals, came into being from the fact that in order to appease Thilha (Demon) the people sacrifice and at the same time they also believed in the existence of a Supreme God whom they call "Chung Pathen" (Heavenly God). To get the blessings of such gods the village Medicine man (Thempu) would sacrifice fowls to propitiate the spirit of the Demon-god by performing a series of rituals and prayer.<br />Tradition handed down orally from generation to generation says that the Kukis originated from subterranean underworld. They came out from this underworld in search of better land. They brought with them a number of cereals such as millet, tapioca, beans, yam etc. After they came over ground they found paddy and job’s tear together, which were brought across a river called Twinanhem by a pair of wild rat on a bamboo seath (Stipule) tucked to their mouths. Gradually they found Mithun from a place called Sisep, Pig from Bonnol, Fowl from Molkon which they domesticated. They would lavishly use these animals during such festivals. Thus the cultivation of this job’s tear started. They found that, it was more productive and yielded a better harvest.<br />The celebration of the completion of the year’s harvest is done with the instructions and guidance of the village Medicine man (Thempu). On that day for the entire village the Medicine man would chant incantations to the God for the rich harvest and to invoke the spirit for more abundance harvest in the coming years. The Mimkuut is essentially a wrap up of the year long toils of the land. The celebration is marked by feasting, drinking of Madhu (rice-beer), the youths engaged themselves in various types of merrymaking, fetching of water and firewood, traditional sports like wrestling and other games and different kinds of tamashas continue throughout day and night. The older people sit by the fire-side singing traditional songs and more enthusiastic ones dance and crack jokes from time to time.<br />A simple translation of one of the songs sung during the celebration of Mimkuut is as follows :<br />"Job’s tear is harvested and gathered.<br />Time to wrap up the year’s toil and relax;<br />Countless birds encircle the job’s tear field.<br />Suddenly one Kite swoop down and away it carries off one;<br />Before a stone could be pelted at."<br />Sequence of Seven Days Mimkuut Celebrations :<br />The First Day of Mimkuut is exclusive for the Village Priest-Shaman. He would perform series of rituals asking the god Thilha (demon) the good or bad of the time for celebration. Accordingly, he would announce the date and manner of celebration. The announcement is done early in the morning at cock-crow with the accompaniment of the sound of Gong and Drum. Everyone then start preparation mentally and physically.<br />On the Second Day early in the morning, the Village Shaman would perform rites and rituals at Village Water Point and other ominous places like biggest tree, and biggest rock near the Village believed to be the abode of god Thilha (demon) by sacrificing blemished white fowl.<br />The Third Day is devoted to cleaning of the village, footpath to Water point, Kheti and neighbouring Villages. The womenfolk prepare food, ju and other drinks. They would serve them to the menfolk who are working.<br />On the Fourth Day able-bodied man from each household and youth from Phan (Dormitory) would go to the jungle to rope Mithun. The Mithun is brought to the Village and tied with a post having three branches. No ordinary tree or post is used. On this day the womenfolk and youngsters bring millet, yam, pumpkin, job’s tear and other kheti products. They prepare country baked cake and cook yam, pumpkin, Tapioca etc. These will be served to the men folk on arrival with the Mithun. The boys and girls fetch firewood, water, leaves required for the feast.<br />On the Fifth Day the Mithun is ceremoniously killed after observing rites by the Shaman. The menfolk cut and prepare the Mithun. The womenfolk continuously serve Madhu and other drinks. The boys and girls wearing the best of clothes and other garments sing and dance throughout the day. The whole day is devoted to merrymaking, jest, singing and dancing. New songs are taught and learn. The whole evening is spent in feasting and revelry. The main Kuut Feast is enjoyed together by one and all.<br />The Sixth Day is devoted to sports. Different age groups are formed and competition goes on through out the day. The elder group, the younger group and the women group would vie for the coveted prize which is normally a lump of Mithun meat set aside for it. The sports competed are mostly shot-put, race, pole climbing, wrestling, mithun jump, pole throw (pole use for pounding rice) etc. Other traditional games are also played. The women section also compete various types of sports, whereas the aged and children would enjoy watching. The night is a get-together night. A big camp-fire is lit and folk song, folk dance punctuated by jokes continue throughout the night.<br />The Seventh Day – the last day is the coming together of mainly family members and neighbours. Married daughters with husband and children would visit their parents, brothers and sisters and exchange gift. They will be reciprocated and sent back after being entertained.<br />The Shaman would announce closing of the celebration after performing rites and rituals in the same manner by again releasing spotless white fowl to please Thilha god (demon) and with good omen for the village (prosperity and health), he would announce the closure of the celebration officially.<br />The Village will then begin the year’s activity.<br />"TOKHÜ EMONG"<br />(The Festival of Lotha Tribe)<br /> The Tokhü Emong is the harvest festival of the Lothas. With the harvest done and the granaries full, the people now take a respite from the toils and sweat and settle down to enjoy the fruits of one’s hard labour.<br />Tokhü Emong is celebrated in the 1st month of November every year and it stretches over to 9 days. Earlier, no particular date was fixed. However, in order to carve unity and uniformity among the ranges, Wokha elders decided to celebrate it on a fixed date. Following this Tokhü Emong is celebrated on November 7, every year.<br />During this festival, the entire Village takes part in the celebration. Every household have food and drinks prepared for the feast. Friends, families neighbors are invited to each other’s house and this continues for 9 days. The main features of the feast are community songs, dances, feast, fun and frolic. Everyone attires themselves in their beautiful traditional dresses and costumes according to their social status. There is an air of gaiety and light heartedness everywhere. Gifts of food and drinks are exchanged during the Festival. Among friends, the number of cooked meat given denotes the depth of friendship and ties. For example, if one man offers 12 pieces of meat to his friend, it shows that he treasures his friendship, it is reciprocated, and he is also offered 12 pieces of meat, it means that the friendship is valued from both sides.<br /><br />In this case, should any disaster or misfortunes strikes either one of them, both of them will stand by each other no matter what. Thus a friendship of loyalty and fidelity was pledged. In case of mere acquaintances or platonic ones, only 6 pieces of meat are exchanged.<br />It is the Priest who gives the signal for the start of the festival. He accompanied by aids (Yinga) along with baskets goes round the village collecting un husked rice from every home when offering is made. The priest takes a handful of it, showers prayers and it is only after this that he puts the contribution in his basket. The belief was that the more generous the contribution, the more yield one would get during harvest but if any one refuses to contribute, he would lead a pauper’s life. So none would dare to refuse contribution for fear of that. A portion of the collection is used to buy a pig and the rest is used for making rice-beer. The pig is killed and cut and is distributed to the contributors. The ritual is considered as contributing factor to general prosperity.<br />Before the commencement of the festival, if any stranger happens to be in the village, he gets two options; to leave the village (past beyond the village gate) before sunset or to stay there in the village until the festival is over. He however, enjoys the warm hospitality of the villagers. This festival also provide the occasion to offer prayers for the departed souls. The family who lost any member during the year performs his/her last rites. The people remain in the village till the last rites are performed.<br />Young boys and girls engaged during the year are happily married after Tokhü. It is also the time for renovating the village gate, cleaning wells and repairing houses.<br />Tokhü -Emong is also a festival of thanks giving, sharing and reconciliation but the most beautiful aspect of this festival is that past rancours are forgiven, new ties are formed and bonds of closer intimacy are formed.<br />Wild cries of Joy-echo over the green hills and narrow valleys. One feels as if the stones have been given tongue to say ‘Oh farmers, tender your fields with love and care’.<br />"YEMSHE"<br />(The Festival of Pochury Tribe)<br /> October is the month of festivity which every Pochury anxiously awaits, every year to celebrate their greatest festival Yemshe. Yemshe is the festival of welcoming the new harvest and blessing. All the Pouchuries, young and old, rich and poor celebrate this festival with great pomp and gaiety anticipating a good harvest which they deserve after a year’s hard labour under scorching sun and merciless rain. No one is allowed to harvest etc. until the whole period of festival is over.<br />Originally, the festival commence from the last part of September with different categories of observances till the final day which falls in the first week of October every year. Yemshe is observed only on the 5th October keeping in tune with the final days of the traditional observance of the festival.<br />When the time approaches, the Village Spokesman will announce the arrival of Yemshe. The very next day of the festivities will begin with the observance of the first part of rituals.<br />There will be preparations. The Youth of the Village will clean whole village, footpaths, wells and fields and construct Baskets making-cum-Resting Places. After that the head of the family will perform all rituals. Necessary materials used in rituals are fastened to the main post of the front house. Engaged couples (fiance & fiancee) will renew their relationship with exchange of food or wine and eat together. Many young couples come to know each other and get themselves engage during this period. As such, this festival is important and enjoyable moment particularly to young people and farmers in general. This is known as the Big Yemshe.<br />The small Yemshe, like big Yemshe, is also celebrated with rituals. The sanctification of the House, a ritual feast has to be hosted by a rich family. All the villagers will observe the period with great solemnity till the end of the period.<br />The family who host the Sanctification Feast has to fulfill the following conditions before the feast day.<br />1. The family who host the Sanctification Feast will have to provide wine to all families of the village.<br />2. The family will have to host dance party of his (head of the family) age-group, men and women in the village and in Khel wise as well. Feast will be given to the dancers, and meat will be distributed to all his age-group friends.<br />3. Cutting of Bamboo Mugs will be held twice. All the host’s clansmen/nephews will make new b bamboo mugs. They will take wine from these mugs which will be kept with the host. Also all the old Mugs will be collected from every house and kept in the host’s family for drinking wine.<br />4. Only paddy rice will be arranged (not millet, maize etc.) and distribute it to all the houses by the host and later the cooked rice will be again collected and redistributed to all the families in the village.<br />5. All the clansmen will take one Mithun and a Chicken to a river on the way to the Jhum field and feast. They will construct a Resting Shed there for the host of the Sanctification Feast. It is believed that in the second life, those who have not hosted the Sanctification Feast can not sigh with a deep breath as ‘ewhi’, but can only say ‘Korowhi’ and those who have not performed the Resting Shed Feast they can only say ‘owhi’.<br />6. For reserving of frogs, one axe each for three rivers is given to the villagers as frogs in these three rivers are reserved. This will be followed by giving out a big feast to all the village elders. After that it will be announced in the village that frogs are reserved by the host of Sanctification or Yemshe Festival and no other should go to these rivers to catch it.<br />7. After wine and food is arranged, the master of the festival will ask his villagers to fetch him pine-wood and he will give a big feast to his villagers. Men will take 6 pieces of meat while women will take only 5 pieces.<br />8. All the clansmen will carry well-prepared food and wine and go to the reserved rivers and make bridges/ladders for frogs catchers to enable them to go to any part of the river. At the same time, they shall eat and drink and enjoy themselves. This is a part of many games they play.<br />9. A chicken will be kept in a cage on a selected tree on the way to the field. After that a selected group will go to that spot with dried frogs where chickens was kept and have a feast there. Every household have to perform this. Even the poorest family have to perform this ritual by roasting brinjal as the substitute of frogs and chicken.<br />10. It is traditionally believed that the most fertile lands were under the control of devils. Sacrificial acts also therefore have to be performed according to the fertility of the land. For the most fertile land a Mithun has to be sacrificed, then a pig and the less fertile land a chicken has to be sacrificed in the field. Two big gourds of wine will be carried, one for halfway and the other for sacrificial consumption. While coming back from their fields a particular group will not mix up with another group. So, a Mithun group, Pig group and Chicken group shall come back home separately. Likewise, wine also will be taken separately.<br />After all the arrangements like collection of green vegetables, meat etc. and performances of rituals are completed, the master will select 6 supervisors; two for washing ginger, four to supervise the butchers for preparation of the feast for the whole village. All young and old will come and help the host in preparation of the feast. In this feast, Mithun, Pigs and Chicken will be slaughtered. If there is no Mithun three pigs will substitute a Mithun. Womenfolk will pound rice and cook while the menfolk will be busy for meat, and other difficult jobs. By sundown, all villagers, from youngest to the oldest will come together to attend the great feast.<br />Few quantities of all sorts of food stuff and rice grains etc. shall be shared and offered it to the dead souls as farewell gifts and greetings of the Yemshe Feast.<br />The last day of the feast will be impressively observed as the feast cleansing day. All will remain at home and no one will do anything and go on journey or anywhere. From the very next day all types of harvest and collection of house constructional materials etc. will begin as the happiest moment for the farmers has come with the blessing of God.<br /> The Festivals of Phom Tribe<br /> The Phoms have four major festivals each having unique significance. They are MONYU, MOHA, BONGVUM and PAANGMO.<br /> MONYU<br />Monyu, the most popular and biggest festival falls in the month of April every year soon after the sowing season. The festival is celebrated for six days beginning from 1st to 6th April every year. It also marks the end of winter and the beginning of summer or monsoon. A day or two prior to the festival the green signals of the dawn of festival is made by beating log drums with a distinct tune synchronise purposely for the event, traditionally named "LAN NYANGSHEM".<br />The Priests or the village elders performed a ritual and predicts what the forthcoming festival would be, a blessing or a curse. In case the prediction shows a sign of dangers, the villagers are warned to be careful during the festivity. Monyu is the time to bid farewell to the on going year and heralds the dawn of the new year. It is also the time of prayers and dedication for the sprouting crops that are already sowed. The main feature of the Monyu is the occasion when the male members of the family shows love and renewal of affectionate feelings towards their married daughters or sisters by presenting them the purest of the rice beer and specially prepared food. Such conduct reflects the general status of the Phom women that "they are respected and honoured". Planning and decision relating to community welfare to be implemented throughout the years are also decided during the festival.<br />The six days long festival follows a circle of ritual and activities which may be categorised day-wise as the following.<br />The first day is the day for over all preparation. Besides preparing of domestic chores every household go to collect wrapping leaves and bamboo’s, which is called "SHONGTEN-LAIPHEN’.<br />The second day is for compulsory brewing of all kinds of rice beer.<br />The third day is meant for the varying age-group from oldest down to the youngest. They gather together and feast amidst dancing, merry making etc. Thus the day is named "Aiha Okshok".<br />The fourth day is coined as "Chingi Okshok" which practically means general festivity and also the day of arrival of guests from neighbouring villages.<br />On the fifth day parties of young and old men and women wear their respective colourful costumes, keep themselves busy, eating, drinking, dancing, inviting friends, kit and kin… making each moment of the day memorable and joyous, which is called "paangmohah".<br />The sixth day and the last day is another remarkable day. The elderly people feast by exchanging a jug of purest rice beer and meat etc. The younger ones both boys and girls stroll out of the outskirts of the village and feast together. The most common game played during the last day of the festival is "Swing" made out of wild rope locally called "SHAKOK VU". It is to be noted that the whole process is carried in a ritualistic manner.<br />MOHA<br />Moha is the one day festival in the month of May to pray for the better growing of seeds/plants. The new crop plants of various kind are taken to village by the elders or the Priests of the village and put in a ritual place or an alter called "Moidu" invoking blessing by Priests called "Ngongpathu" for the better growth of the seeds.<br />BONGVUM<br />The Bongvum festival generally falls in the month of October every year after the major harvest and is observed only for a day. This festival may be best interpreted as the festival of Thanksgiving to the unseen Almighty God for whatever have yielded during the preceding months. On this occasion not any other animals but chicken is killed and sprinkled its hot blood against the outer surface of the bamboo pail for storing grains.<br />The other ritual associated with the Bongvum festival is the preparation of sticky rice. The meat is cooked with Prawns and Crabs mixed with dried bamboo shoots and ginger. This prepared food is put into the leaves carefully and tied to the main posts of the house. Both these rituals are performed as a token of giving thanks to the unseen Almighty for the blessings they are bestowed with, so that they may be blessed more in the next harvest. Also predicting the future of the family by taking out the chicken’s intestine performed by the father who is the head of the family forms another part of ritual during the festival.<br />PAANGMO<br />The festival called Paangmo is another important events of the Phoms. It is celebrated in the month of November which stretches over three days. At this festival, the whole surroundings of the village is cleaned. Wells and homes are repaired and decorated. Every household and varying age-group brew special rice beer called YU" and kill animals. Parents present gifts commonly meat and prepared food to their daughters already married (DOIDAIBU YUKHA) who also reciprocate in the like manner with ardent "Love and Respect".<br />"NGADAH"<br />(The Festival of Rengma Tribe)<br /> The Rengmas celebrate eight days of Ngadah festival towards the end of November, just after harvest. It is the festival of thanks giving, merry making and rejoicing. This festival also marks the end of agricultural year. The village High Priest (PHESENGU) announces the date of commencement of the festival at the top of his voice, so that the villagers can prepare themselves for the festival .<br />The first day is meant for the preparation of rice-beer by every household. Banana leaves are collected from the forest on the second day, for the Ngadah feast.<br />On the third day womenfolk visit the graves of their relatives and places rice-beer wrapped in banana leaves, on the graves. This is a symbolic presentation of offerings to the dead spirit. It was believed that the souls of the dead visit their near and dear ones once in a year during Ngadah festival. Therefore, the festival observes the remembrance of the departed souls, besides cleaning and repairing the graves. This is the day the rice-beer prepared for the festival is tasted by the eldest member of the house, which is followed by the others drinking from it.<br />On the fourth day, all male members gather together at their respective morungs known as ‘RENSI’, early in the morning, with their own rice beer and meat and have the meal there. It is taboo for womenfolk to take part in the morung feast. At mid-day, all male members in their ceremonial and warrior fineries, go around the village, followed by women with rice-beer in their mugs and bitter gourd containers, to offer them drinks.<br />The fifth day again witnesses all the male members go in procession, visiting all the houses singing songs relating to ‘NGADAH’ festival. Each household has to give something as a token of their appreciation, when the procession visit them.<br />On the sixth day, all members of the village visit the house of one another irrespective of khel or clan, eat and drink with one and all in every house without any restriction or hesitation.<br />On the seventh day, everybody go to the forest for collection of firewood, banana leaves and vegetables for the feast. A grand feast is arranged on the eighth day, where the whole village population feast on whatever was collected on the fifth day procession. After this feast, it is believed that the souls of those who died that very year, leave the village and go to the land of the dead. On this three rites are performed. One is the peace agreement with fire in order to avoid fire accident in the village. The second agreement is made with rats, so that they do not destroy crops or household goods. The third rite is performed to expel evil spirits from all households and village. This ends the eight long days celebration of the ‘NGADAH’ festival by the Rengmas.<br />"MONGMONG"<br />(The Festival of Sangtam Tribe)<br /> The Sangtams have about 12 festivals spreading over the calendar year including some special functions. Except certain ghenna, all the festivals concerned with food productions, blessings and prosperity. MONGMONG is one of the most important festivals of the Sangtams. The predominant theme of the festival is the worship of the God of the house and the three cooking stones in the fireplace. The festival is observed in the first week of September every year.<br />After toiling for several months during the year and when the crops are ripened for harvest, the green signal to start of the celebration of Amongmong festival is given by the village priest called "BEBURU" with due prayers and rites. At dead of the night the priest will announce/proclaim that " ZANGNYUO MONGMONG NUNG EH-LEHE". The next morning another priest will repeat the proclamation. Then the villagers will begin preparation for the festival by accumulating foodstuffs, firewood and special wine like Rohi and Madhu etc. The announcement made in the morning is the correct information. The proxy announcement made at dead of the night denotes separation of the spirit of the dead from the living during Mongmong festival. Also nobody would like to inherit the sins of the dead and any kind of sinful deeds. Thus through Mongmong festival a line is drawn between the dead and the living.<br />Mongmong festival, which means togetherness forever is very cautiously observed every year and stretches over six days. The object is to have a good harvest, food grains for which the villagers toiled for the whole year. The figure ‘Six’ also bears a great significance among our forefathers as the figure ‘Seven’ was among the Hebrews. For example, when a man brings enemy’s head from war, he keeps himself undefiled and observes genna for six days. A male baby is christened on the sixth day. If a man dies, the deceased family mourn for six days<br />Each day of the festival has its own significance. Thus, the first day that is September 1 is called ‘SINGKITHSA’. This day is marked by closing of all transactions relating to purchase of domestic animals like Pigs, Cows, Mithuns and rope them also preparation and collecting of foodstuffs. The villagers also engaged themselves in collection of vegetables, millets, and firewood from the old fields.<br />While collection of firewood and water continuous on the second day the roped domestic animals are also killed. After setting aside some portions for the feast the meat is distributed amongst the team members of the group called ATIRü and AKHINGRU. These male and female groups are organised according to the group primarily for working together in the fields of every member of the team in turn. During Amongmong festival, special meals are arranged in the house of the treasurer of the respective groups/ teams. On the other hand the meat of animals killed by rich individual is generally shared among relatives, neighbours and friends. The day is called "SINGKITHSA.<br />The third day is MUSUYANGTAP day of worshipping the 3 oven stones by one and all. In the early morning of third day of celebration the oldest women of the household performs the ritual by placing gum rice shaped into balls on the top of the 3 stones and also pours a little wine upon these stones believing that the God (LIJABA) is represented by these stones. Till the rituals completed nobody in the house is allowed to taste food and even animals are not fed. This performance normally takes a short time only. But great care is taken and during the ritual lest it is eaten up by some domestic animals which is believed to be the sign of some misfortune or wrath of the evil.<br />On these three days villagers will not go either to field or outside the village as according to the belief these actions would bring calamities and would damages the crops. Again at dawn the priest would go to the village well and draw water first very carefully followed by other people waiting there. But each one of them must cover his or her head with green leaves lest he/she is attacked by cholera. The day is celebrated with children playing among themselves with gay dresses and the young people in their best gathered in dormitory and exchange songs of bravery. In course of time they are usually joined by their girl friends. The whole day is devoted to drinking of rice-bear, dances including tug of war and other merrymaking activities etc.<br />The fourth day is called ‘KIKHALANGPI’. The male population of the village gives a face-lift to the village. Here again the priest will first start clearing the weeds then he is followed by all other villagers. Path leading to the fields, inter-village road, village wells and springs are cleaned. On returning home every grown up male member will contribute meat and wine and feast together in the house of the village priest. There they reaffirm mutual friendships. In short it is day of special gathering and feast. The wife of the house puts chillies, ginger and cotton in green leaves called ‘TSIDONG’ and puts them in the field or outside the village as according to the belief these actions would ward off calamities and prevent damage of crops.<br />The fifth day is called ‘SHILANG WUBA NYUMONG’. This day the villagers pay visit to relatives, friend and neighbouring villages. Also sharing of meals, drinks and exchange of gifts in the form of meat as presentation.<br />The last day of the festival is called ‘AKATISINGKITHSA’. From this day harvesting starts. On successful completion of six days celebration of Mongmong, the Sangtam Nagas believe that their God is well pleased and hope for blessing from him by having rich harvest and good health in the family.<br />"TULUNI"<br />(The Festival of Sumi Tribe)<br /> Tuluni is a festival of great significance . This festival is marked with feasts as the occasion occurs in the bountiful season of the year. Drinking rice beer indispensably forms as part of feast. Rice beer is served in a goblet made with the leaf of plantain. This wine name is called TULUNI. Therefore, consumption of the wine is called "TULUNI". Tuluni is also called "ANNI" the word of which denote the season of plentiful crops. This midyear (July 8) festival is the greatest and most fervent moment for the Sumi Community of Nagaland.<br />During this festival, betrothed exchange the basketful of gifts with meals. Fiancé is invited to a grand dinner at the fiancée’s residence. Even siblings of the families of both the bride and groom exchanges dinner and packed food and meats.<br />It is a time of joy even for the baby-sitters. On this day they are fed generously with food and meat. Cultivators usually work in groups and specially for Anni (Festival) they keep budged with either pigs or cows are procured and the butchered animals are shared among the members. The served meat is used for group feast. In the midst of the feast group leaders gets extra offer of meat by way of feeding them by others. Each working group consists of 20 to 30 in number which includes several women too. The new recruits are also made to add the group at this grand feast.<br />The Betrothed are settled at this period. The fervours of feast is synchronised with a chain of folk songs and ballads.<br />Sumis have two different clan-heads, viz. Swu (Sumi) and Tuku (Tukumi). By virtue of two separate clans the gennas and rituals differs between Sumi and Tukumi. Among all other festivals and gennas, Sumis in general accepted the festival of Tuluni as the most grand and important one.<br /><br />"AHUNA"<br />AHUNA is a traditional post-harvest festival of the Sumis. AHUNA signifies the celebration of the season’s harvest in thanksgiving, while invoking the spirit of good fortune in the New Year. On this occasion, the entire community prepares, and feast on the first meal of rice drawn from the season’s harvest cooked in a bamboo segments. The receptacles for cooking or serving on this occasion are freshly made, curved or cut, from indigenously available resources prolific and abundant in the countryside.<br />"METUMNIU"<br />(The Festival of Yimchungrü Tribe)<br />The Yimchungrüs celebrate Metumniu festival from 4th to 8th August every year after the harvest of millet. This festival is connected with the prayers for the souls of the departed ones. It is sentimental ceremony for those dear ones who left for heavenly abode during the year. An elder known as "KHEAMPURU" after due prayers inaugurates the festival. The festival is spread over for five days, which has its separate names of the days viz. SHITO, ZHIHTO, ZUMTO, KHEHRESUK, and SHERESUK.<br />On the first day the village is cleaned by community efforts, the damage roads and homes by the heavy rains are repaired. On the second day the path leading to the field are put in right shape, land slides which are very common during heavy rains are cleaned. Unwieldy growths are also cut. On the third day inter-village roads are taken up. On the fourth day water points and springs are cleaned giving a new look to the village and its surrounding. The villagers enjoy their millet. Friends are invited, gifts are exchanged. They dance in their finest and go round the village to charm young and old.<br />As the festival has a strong Agricultural base, the Agricultural implements are sharpened and worshipped the three important things such as Spade, Dao and Hoe.<br />During Metumniu festival the young boys and girls are engaged and those already betrothed exchange presents for new born babies. Special prayers are held and offering are made if the child happens to be male. The parents offer six pieces of meat to the Priest, and if the child happens to be female parents offer five pieces of meat. This signifies that the male has six souls and female five.<br />TSUNGKAMNIÜ<br />The Tsungkamniü another important festival of Yimchungrüs fall in the month of January 14th to 16th every year. This festival is observed to signify the year long life and harvest achieved during the long hard works in the field.<br />During this festival the young men and women of the village gathered together and go round dancing every house of the village in merriment. In turn every household provide meat, wine and rice cooked kept ready for them. This procession would go round the entire village and complete within stipulated time. The first day in the morning is spent for cleaning the village and thereafter eating, drinking and dancing starts.<br /> <br />"HEGA"<br />(The Festival of Zeliang Tribe)<br /> The Hega festival is one of the most important and the biggest festival amongst the Zeliang community. It falls in the month of February from 10th to 15th every year. It is a festival invoking the Almighty God to shower his blessing upon his people with richness, luck and courage. It is also a festival of joy, rest and get together. On this day people pray to the almighty God for protection and guidance. On this festival the young couple are united for their future. The festival is announced earlier and all the preparations are done before hand. And the festival begin with variety of programmes and merry making.<br />First Day ( Hega Teu dap )<br />On this day all the killing of animals for the festival are done in every household and those who have no such animals ether buy or share with other members. On this day itself the eldest of the family call his grandsons and daughters for the common meal to his house. Here they share special song which are composed specially composed for their grandsons and daughter. The grandsons and daughters have to wear shawls for that special occasion.<br />In the evening the engaged couple specially the bride will present all the traditional dresses like shawls and other garments. Together with the boys and the elders there will be a common gathering at the bride groom’ s Morung (the bride and the bridegroom are included).<br />Second Day (Herie kap)<br />On the second day of the festival, the gate keeper of the main gate will have a special and separate prayer invoking the protection of the Almighty to the Villagers and to shower his blessing in all walk of like for the year to come. After the prayer he would go to jungle and there also he will have a special prayer asking God to show him the right tree for the sacrifice. When it is shown to him the youth will cut it and shape it into a Horn Bill and put it up in the main Gate with decoration and other necessary things.<br />In the evening the elders and the boys will make noise (Nro) and go up and down the whole village for two three times and at the end they will try to pierce the heart of the wooden Horn Bill. If they manage it then it is good luck. Richness and blessing will be bestowed to his children. After this all men and boys will gather I their own Morung to have special prayer specially for good luck in hunting.<br />Third day ( Tsing Rak )<br />On this day early in the morning the bride will gather all the girls from her Khel. They will go to the jungle to cut fresh firewood for the evening. This firewood is split into small pieces and the bark is also taken out. In the meantime the elders and the youth from the khel will go to the jungle and cut a big tree which is shaped and colour is put on the two wooden pieces showing the purity and the virginity of the bride.<br />In the evening the bride will carry the two wooden pieces which signifies her life. The firewood and the wooden pieces are kept in the main gate or the last gate of the village. With these two heavy wooden pieces ( ten to twelve feet in height ) the bride will start from the gate and the rest of the boys and girls will carry the firewood and follow the bride to the girl’s Morung. And on this night the bridegroom will provide food and drink to the girls in the Girl’s Morung.<br />Fourth day (Rodi)<br />The fourth day and the last day of the festival is the most important day of the festival. In the morning the boys will prepare a place for long jump and for wrestling ( a place which is set apart by our forefathers ). On this day traditional dresses like shawls and other garments are worn.<br />In the evening all the villagers will gather on that particular place where long jump and wrestling takes place. The men and boys will make noise ( Nro ) and go up and down the village for three times. After this they will come to the jumping place and make noise two times again (invoking god to bless the villagers for their work). Then ( Nro) the long jump will take place and after that the wrestling . The winner of the long jump will have to give in kind or in cash to the village High Priest. Then there will be singing together with the bride up and down the village. The songs are of love, praise and farewell song to the bride and the bridegroom, especially to the bride because she can never take part again in the dance or in such practices.<br />At night the bride would visit each household encouraging men, boys and girls to take part in the dance. For the elders ( men ) she will prepare special soup from meat and give them for their health and strength for the dance.<br />Last day ( Koksui )<br />It is the last and the most important day of the festival. Here you will see early in the morning people putting on their traditional dress getting ready for the dance. The bride together with some of her friends will go round the village and will give bath to those who are unwilling to join the dance. For the bride it is the last dance in her life ( a married girl cannot join the dance again ). This dance can be participated only by virgin girls. For boys and men whether they are married or not can dance if their health permits .<br />The dances are performed in the evening with different steps and meaning. After the dances, all the dancers will go to the whole village singing and dancing, at some places they will play games and sing songs together with the bride and bridegroom.<br />From the first day of the festival new fire is lit by the eldest from each khel and these elders have to take only pork throughout the festival. Also during the festival no men should sleep with their wives for losing of good luck and courage especially of hunting. On the sixth day elders put off the new fire and celebrate. But the rest of the villagers can start their works from that day onwards with all the blessing and luck from Almighty God who always care for his children.<br />CHEGA GADI<br />Chega Gadi is another important and popular festival of the Zeliang people, being celebrated by the forefathers and still being celebrated up to this date. The genesis of this festival marks the peoples beliefs that on this day the Almighty showers blessing and good harvest and health. However the date for the celebration often differ from communities and villages, which is usually fixed according to their conveniences. The Liangmai community celebrate this festival usually at the last part of Chegahui i.e. October.<br />Earlier the forefathers observed this festival for a duration of 4 -5 days. However , the duration is reduced to even 3 to 4 days on times of any casualties. The people wait anxiously even at midnight to see the first new moon, which is believed to be a boon and bring blessings of God. After the appearance of the moon the priest of the village ( Singkupiu ) makes and announcement and the people began necessary [reparation such as dresses, attirements, food and drinks. After all the preparations are over, the Priest make another announcement as a prelude to the festival. The next morning the youths of the village men folk and womenfolk go to the jungles to cut firewood and bring them to their respected morungs . At noon the men folk go to make new cups and plates of bamboo to be used only in the festival. In the evening the men folk again will go to draw water to be used in the Morung. From this day onwards a separate fire place will be made for men folk usually at a room called ‘ AKHANGKI’ and cooking is separated from the womenfolk of the family. At sunset all the men folk along with 2 (two) High Priest will go outside the main gate of the village for making new fire to be used for the festival and the males are then blessed. After which they shout signifying that they have been sanctified. The men folk collect the fire and come back to their respective Morungs and as per the tradition the womenfolk are prohibited to touch the fire, and even the cups and plates of the festival, till the third day of the festival. From this day onwards all the men folks irrespective of all age leave their homes and sleep in the Morung.<br />On the third day 2 (two) males who observed fasting will go to the jungle to collect wood which will be craved like a man and tattooed. This wooden statue is then installed at the two gates of t the village and then spearing of the wooden statue takes place. After that, all the men folk gather at the main ground of the village which is also the jumping-pit and various competitions are held viz. Long-jump, wrestling, cock-fights of the men folk etc. Later the high Priest would declare the completion of all the arrangement and lift prohibitions imposed earlier. The folks of the village irrespective of men and women are now free from all bindings and they start feasting and merry-making till the end of the festival.<br />Art and Craft of the Nagas<br /> The Nagas have a rich tradition of art and craft rooted in a lifestyle that has always been harmony with the environment they live in. Skilled tribal craftsman and artisans have always been the pillars of a tribal society that had, for many centuries, been self-sufficient. They lent their skills to creating items of utility as well those with ritualistic and aesthetic value. To quote Dr. Verrier Elwin; “they have made their own cloth, their won hats and rain-coats; they have prepared their own medicines, their own cooking-vessels, their own substitutes for crockery …. “ Skilled craftsmen were employees to carve splendid village gates, house posts and Morungs in Naga villages. Fine storage baskets, wicker drinking vessels and containers were woven by craftsmen whose skills had been inherited from generations of skilled craftsmen. <br /> It was these craftsmen, weavers and artisans who foraged the forest in search of wood, barks, dyes and other resources that were utilized to carve out fine works of art and weave colorful clothes that distinguished each Naga tribe. <br /> <br /> The various crafts and art that were known to the early Nagas and are still carried out to this day are;<br /> 1) Basketry : Naga storage and carry baskets women from fine strips of cane and bamboo are well known and sought after for their utility as well as aesthetic value. The cane baskets of Khonoma village are particularly well know for their intricate weaves. The cane baskets and containers woven by the Khiamngan weavers in the Tuensang District are also known for their fineness and delicacy of work that gives it a lace-like appearance. Headgears and mats are also woven from fine bamboo and cane strips. In the recent years, entrepreneurs have utilized the skills of these craftsmen to weave beautiful cane furniture that are being marketed in the local as well as outside market.<br />2) Weaving: Naga women are excellent weavers and the colorful shawls, bags and jackets woven by them are extremely popular. The ‘backstrap’ or the loin loom is commonly used for weaving, although, in recent years the fly shuttle loom has become popular with the weavers. Each tribe uses distinguishing colors and motifs that are often based on tribal folklore. Earlier, natural dyes extracted from barks, roots and plants were used for dyeing cotton yarn and woven fabrics. In addition, woven cloth was embellished with beads, cowrie shells and goats hair to denote the wealth and status of the weaver. Body cloth symbolizing Feast-giving and Head-taking added to the variety of clothes woven on the backstrap loom.<br /> <br /> The art of weaving is still popular amongst the Naga women, especially in the rural areas and the woven products of Nagaland have found its way into the National as well as International marker.<br />3) Woodcarving : Nagas are excellent woodcarvers. Making using of simple rudimentary tools and implements such as the local dao, hand drill and chisel, skilled craftsmen produce great works of art that local adorn village gates and house posts as well as objects of utility like the common wooden dish. One of the finest specimen that epitomizes the skill of the Naga craftsman is to be found at Shangnyu village in Mon District. The work of art at Shangnyu consists of a massive wooden panel that has carvings depicting objects of art as well as those of ritual and utility value.<br />Woodcraft has now been commercialized and craftsmen have been able to use their traditional skills to generate income for themselves. The Diezephe Craft village in Dimapur District is a good example of a cragft concentrated village where the major sourse of income is from woodcraft.<br />4) Pottery : Pottery was known to the early Nagas and was mostly done by the womenfolk. The pots made were generally very simple and importance was given to its functional value rather than aesthetics. Tseminyu and Ungma village were well known for pottery by aluminum and steel vessels have long replaced the simple clay pots. <br />5) Metal work : Iron tin and brass were used to produce weapons as well items of utility and ornaments. The Konyak blacksmiths were famous for their works in the early days and their products were in great demand in the plains of Assam. To this day, the local dao, spears, chisels, ornaments and other items of utility are still made by local blacksmith whose skills are highly valued in society.<br /> In addition, jewellery and beadwork is also popular with local craftsmen. Naga festivals are a testimony to the fascination and love the Naga tribesmen have for art and craft. The color and beauty of the traditional attires symbolize the wealth and status of the wearer as well as the skill of the maker. The abundance of raw material, the splendid environment and the inherent skills of the people have all played a role in generating a rich history of art and craft in Nagaland. The resurgence of art and craft in recent times has enable the traditional craftsman and artisan to earn as he creates<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tourist Permits<br />Domestic tourists visiting Nagaland are required to obtain an Inner Line Permit. These permits are issued by:<br />The Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, 29 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi ;<br />Additional Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, 12 Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata ;<br />Assistant Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, Nongrim Hills, Shillong, Meghalaya ;<br />Assistant Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, Guwahati, Assam.<br />It is also issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Nagaland.<br />Foreign Tourists are required a Restricted Area Permit from the MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, NEW DELHI.<br />________________________________________ <br />District Tribe Festival Period<br />Kohima Angami Sekrenyi February<br />Kohima Rengma Ngadah November (last week)<br />Kohima Zeliang Hega February (2nd week)<br />Kohima Kuki Mimkuut January (3rd week)<br />Phek Chakhesang Sühkrühnye January (3rd week)<br />Phek Pochury Yemshe September / October<br />Mokokchung Ao Moatsü May (1st week)<br />Mon Konyak Aoleang Monyu April (1st week)<br />Tuensang Phom Monyu April (1st week)<br />Tuensang Khiamnuingan Miu May (1st week)<br />Tuensang Chang Naknyu Lem July (2nd week)<br />Tuensang Yimchungrü Metumniu August (1st week)<br />Tuensang Sangtam Amongmong September (1st week)<br />Wokha Lotha Tokhü Emong November (1st week)<br />Zunheboto Sumi Tuluni July<br />Dimapur Kachari Bushu January (last week)Mofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-74225860801941702262008-08-02T07:34:00.000-07:002008-08-02T07:38:36.273-07:00Mizoram<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 6.25in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="600"> <tbody><tr style="height: 676.5pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 448.6pt; height: 676.5pt;" valign="top" width="598"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Mizoram</p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Geography</span></h2> <h3><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Hills</span></h3> <p>Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, rivers and lakes. As many as 21 major hills ranges or peaks of different heights run through the length and breadth of the state, with plains scattered here and there. The average height of the hills to the west of the state are about 1,000 metres. These gradually rise up to 1,300 metres to the east. Some areas, however, have higher ranges which go up to a height of over 2,000 metres. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Mountain" title="Blue Mountain">Phwangpui</a>, situated in the southeastern part of the state, is the highest peak in Mizoram.</p> <h3><a name="Rivers"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Rivers</span></h3> <p>The biggest river in Mizoram is the River Kaladan also known as Chhimtuipui Lui in local Mizo language. It originates from Chin State in Myanmar and passes through Saiha and Lawngtlai districts in Southern tip of Mizoram and goes back to Myanmar Rakhine state, finally it enters Bay of Bengal at [Akyab], a very popular port in [Sittwe], [Myanmar]. Indian government has invested millions of rupees to set up inland water ways along this river to trade with Myanmar. The project name is known as Kaladan Multipurpose project<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizoram#Water_ways" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizoram#Water_ways">[2]</a>.</p> <p>Although many more rivers and streams drain the hill ranges, the most important and useful rivers are the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhaleshwari_River" title="Dhaleshwari River">Tlawng</a> (also known as Dhaleswari or Katakhal), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tut_River&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tut River (page does not exist)">Tut</a> (Gutur), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tuirial_River&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tuirial River (page does not exist)">Tuirial</a> (Sonai) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tuivawl_RIver&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tuivawl RIver (page does not exist)">Tuivawl</a> which flow through the northern territory and eventually join the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barak_River" title="Barak River">Barak River</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cachar_District" title="Cachar District">Cachar District</a>. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Koldoyne_River&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Koldoyne River (page does not exist)">Koldoyne</a> (Chhimtuipui) which originates in Myanmar, is an important river in the south of Mizoram. It has four tributaries and the river is in patches. The western part is drained by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnaphuli_River" title="Karnaphuli River">Karnaphuli</a> (Khawthlang tuipui) and its tributaries. A number of important towns, including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chittagong" title="Chittagong">Chittagong</a> in Bangladesh, are situated at the mouth of the river. Before Independence, access to other parts of the country was only possible through the river routes via Cachar in the north, and via Chittagong in the south. Entry through the latter was cut off when the subcontinent was partitioned and ceded to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Pakistan" title="East Pakistan">East Pakistan</a> (now Bangladesh) in 1947.</p> <h3><a name="Lakes_.28Dil.29"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Lakes (Dil)</span></h3> <p>Lakes are scattered all over the state, but the most important among these are Palak dil (Pala Tipo), Tamdil, Rungdil, and Rengdil. The Palak lake, the biggest lake in Mizoram is situated in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mara_Autonomous_District_Council" title="Mara Autonomous District Council">Mara Autonomous District Council</a> (MADC) within Saiha District which is part of southern Mizoram and covers an area of 30 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hectares" title="Hectares">hectares</a>. It is believed that the lake was created as a result of an earthquake or a flood. The local people believe that a village which was submerged still remains intact deep under the waters. The Tamdil lake is a natural lake situated 110/85 km from Aizawl. Legend has it that a huge <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_plant" title="Mustard plant">mustard plant</a> once stood in this place. When the plant was cut down, jets of water sprayed from the plant and created a pool of water, thus the lake was named '<i>Tamdil</i> which means of 'Lake of Mustard Plant'. Today the lake is an important tourist attraction and a holiday resort.</p> <p>However, the most significant lake in Mizo history Rih Dil is ironically located in Myanmar, a few kilometres from the India-Myanmar border. It was believed that the departed souls pass through this lake before making their way to "Pialral" or heaven.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Tourism</span></h3> <p>With its abundant scenic beauty and a pleasant climate, Mizoram hopes to develop its tourist-related industries. Specific tourist projects can be developed to put Mizoram on the "tourist map" of India. With the development of Reiek resort centre and a number of other resort centres in and around Aizawl, as well as establishment of tourist's huts across the entire state, tourism has been much developed. The ever smiling faces of the Mizos is an experience to cherish, and gives new meaning to life.</p> <p>Tourists require a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreigners_%28Protected_Areas%29_Order_1958_%28India%29" title="Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958 (India)">special permit</a> for visits.</p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Medicinal</span></h3> <p>The socio-economic life of the rural people depends on their local vegetation from where they derive all their material requirements – timber, food, fuel wood, medicinal plants etc. About 95% of the interior population depends on herbal medicine and nearly 98% of raw materials are harvested from the wild plant resources without replenishing the growing stocks. The villages' herbal preparations include uprooting of the plants, which is detrimental to both the plants themselves and the growing area. As a result of this practice, many commonly used and effective medicinal plants have become rare and endangered species. Some are on the verge of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction" title="Extinction">extinction</a> unless conservation measures are taken up for revival.</p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Roads</span></h3> <p>Mizoram is connected through National Highway 54. NH-150 connects the state with Seling <strong>Mizoram</strong> to Imphal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipur" title="Manipur">Manipur</a>. NH-40A links the State with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripura" title="Tripura">Tripura</a>.A road between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champhai" title="Champhai">Champhai</a> and Tiddim <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar" title="Myanmar">Myanmar</a> will soon connect the two countries.</p> <h3><a name="Air_Service"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Air Service</span></h3> <p>Mizoram has only one airport, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lengpui_Airport" title="Lengpui Airport">Lengpui Airport</a>, near <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aizawl" title="Aizawl">Aizawl</a> and this Airport can be reached from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata" title="Kolkata">Kolkata</a> by Air within a short period of 40 minutes. Mizoram is also accessible from Kolkata via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silchar_Airport" title="Silchar Airport">Silchar Airport</a>, which is about 200 km. from the state capital of Mizoram.</p> <h3><a name="Railway"></a><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Railway</span></h3> <p>Mizoram can be easily reached by train at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bairabi" title="Bairabi">Bairabi</a> rail station or via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silchar" title="Silchar">Silchar</a>. Bairabi is about 110 km, where <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silchar" title="Silchar">Silchar</a> is about 180 km. from the state capital.</p> <h3><a name="Water_ways"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Water ways</span></h3> <p>Mizoram is in the process of developing water ways with the port of Akyab <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sittwe" title="Sittwe">Sittwe</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar" title="Myanmar">Myanmar</a> along Chhimtuipui River. India is investing $103 million to develop the Sittwe port on Myanmar's northern coast, about 160 km from Mizoram. Myanmar committed $10 million for the venture, which is part of the Kaladan Multipurpose project <a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=153748" title="http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=153748">[9]</a>.</p> <h3><span class="mw-headline">Music</span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i>Main article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Mizoram" title="Music of Mizoram">Music of Mizoram</a></i></p> <p>Mizo traditional tunes are very soft and gentle, with locals claiming that they can be sung the whole night without the slightest fatigue. Even without musical instruments, the Mizo can enthusiastically sing together by clapping hands or any materials which can produce complimentary sound. All these informal instruments are called Chhepchher. The Mizo in the early period were very close to nature and that music was the tune of their life. Even today, the Mizos use a drum known locally as "khuang", made from wood and animal hide, to accompany their singing in church services as well as cultural festivities. western influence is evident from the contemporary music scene though, with experiments in genres such as rock(punk,emoscream, metal), pop and hip-hop, R&B to name a few. We can say that Music and the society of Mizo's goes together.Mizos are very fond of Music, they sing in a funeral and in a wedding.</p> <h3><a name="Festivals"></a><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Festivals</span></h3> <p>Modern Mizos are fast giving up their old customs and adopting the new ways of life which are greatly influenced by western cultures. Music is a passion for the Mizos, and the youth especially have become quite enamored of western music.</p> <h4><a name="Mim_Kut"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline"><i>Mim Kut</i></span></h4> <p>The <i>Mim Kut</i> festival is usually celebrated during the months of August and September, after the harvest of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maize" title="Maize">maize</a>. <i>Mim Kut</i> is celebrated with great fanfare by drinking rice-beer, singing, dancing, and feasting. Samples of the year's harvests are consecrated to the departed souls of the community. Mizos practise "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_and_burn" title="Slash and burn">slash and burn</a>" (<i>Jhum</i>) cultivation. They clear areas the jungle, burn the stumps and leaves of the downed trees, and then cultivate the land. All their other activities revolve around the <i>Jhum</i> operation and their festivals are all connected with such agricultural operation.</p> <h4><a name="Chapchar_Kut"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline"><i>Chapchar Kut</i></span></h4> <p><i>Chapchar Kut</i> is another festival celebrated during March after completion of their most arduous task of Jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing (clearng of remainings of burnt area). This is a spring festival celebrated with great fervour and gaiety.</p> <h4><a name="Pawl_Kut"></a><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline"><i>Pawl Kut</i></span></h4> <p>Pawl means “Straw” hence pawl kut means kut held soon after the harvest.<i>Pawl Kut</i> is a festival celebrated in December to commemorate the end of harvest season. It is perhaps the greatest Mizo festival.</p> <h3><a name="Dances"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline">Dances</span></h3> <h4><a name="Cheraw"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline"><i>Cheraw</i></span></h4> <p>The most colourful and distinctive dance of the Mizo is called <i>Cheraw</i>. Long bamboo staves are a feature of this dance and it is known to many as the Bamboo Dance. Originally, the dance was performed to wish a safe passage and victorious entry into the abode of the dead (<i>Pialral</i>) for the soul of a mother who had died in childbirth. To dance <i>Cheraw</i> takes great skill and alertness.</p> <h4><a name="Khuallam"></a><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline"><i>Khuallam</i></span></h4> <p><i>Khuallam</i> was originally a dance performed by honoured invitees while entering into the arena where a community feast was held. To attain a position of distinction, a Mizo had to go through a series of ceremonies where friends from nearby villages were invited and <i>Khuallam</i> was the dance for the visitors or guests. <i>Khuallam</i> is performed by a group of dancers, the more the merrier, in colourful profiles to the tune of gongs and drums.</p> <h4><a name="Chheih_Lam"></a><span class="editsection"></span> <span class="mw-headline"><i>Chheih Lam</i></span></h4> <p><i>Chheih Lam</i> is the dance done over a round of rice-beer in the cool of the evening. The lyrics in triplets are usually spontaneous compositions, recounting their heroic deeds and escapades and also praising the honoured guests present in their midst.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1>Entry formality</h1> <h2>RESTRICTED AREA PERMIT:</h2> <p class="MsoNormal">Restriction are in place for entry of Foreign Tourists to visit some place in Mizoram. Restricted Area Permits for Foreign Tourists can be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Regional Registration Offices and Immigration offices at Airports at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai apart from All Indian Missions Overseas, I.G.Police or Home Commissioners of all the above mentioned states. </p> <p>Foreign Tourist will be allowed to visit the above places for a maximum period of 10 days and in groups of 4 or more persons. However, married couples can be allowed.</p> <h2>INNER LINE PERMITS:</h2> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;">Inner Line Permits for Indian Tourists can be obtained from Resident Commissioners and Representatives of the above states at New Deli, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai and at Border Crossings. For, Mizoram, the permit can be had from the Office of the Resident Commissioner at New Delhi and Liaison Officers based at Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar. (<a href="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/more/ilp.htm">more info</a>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Common Places from Aizawl<br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 80%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="80%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 15%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sl No</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 59%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Routes from Aizawl</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 21%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Distance in Km</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 15%;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 59%;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Churanchanpur (via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 21%;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">580<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 15%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 59%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Churanchanpur (via Luakchhuah)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 21%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">380<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 15%;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 59%;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Imphal (Via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 21%;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">440<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 15%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 59%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Haflong (via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 21%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">290<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 15%;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">5<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 59%;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Guwahati (via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 21%;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">523<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 15%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">6<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 59%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Agratala (via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 21%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">492<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 15%;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">7<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 59%;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Goalpara (via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 21%;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">560<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 15%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">8<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 59%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Dimapur (via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 21%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">425<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 15%;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">9<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 59%;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Karimganj (via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; width: 21%;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">210<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 15%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">10<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 59%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="59%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl - Kohima (via Silchar)<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 3.75pt; background: rgb(248, 248, 248) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 21%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="21%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">602<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Nearest airport is Aizawl<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl is connected to Kolkata, (1 hr ) and Imphal (30 min) and Guwahti. Indian Airlines (Alliance Air) flights Kolkata - Aizawl - Kolkata ( daily service ) and Kolkata - Aizawl - Imphal - Aizawl - Kolkata (Monday, Wednesday, Friday ), Guwahati - Aizawl (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">BY RAIL</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> Nearest railhead is Silchar which is in Assam ( 184 km away)<br /> From Guwahati, travel to Silchar by Barak Valley Express, Cachar Express or the Tripura Passenger. The journey takes about 19 hrs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">BY ROAD</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> NH - 54 connects Aizawl with the rest of the country through Silchar. Buses and taxis are available from Silchar to Aizawl ( 6-8 hrs ). Night services are also available. Aizawl is also accessible by road from Shillong and Guwahati.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Road Distances from Aizawl</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 50%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="50%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Guwahati - 506 km<br /> Imphal - 374 km<br /> Kohima - 479 km<br /> Shillong - 450 km<br /> Agartala - 443 km<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(145, 132, 60);">Hills: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, rivers and lakes. As many as 21 major hills ranges or peaks of different heights run through the length and breadth of the state with the highest peak 'Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) towering 2,065 metres above the sea level. The terrain has, perhaps, the most variegated topography among all hilly areas in this part of the country. The hills are extremely rugged and sleep and the ranges and leaving some plains scattered occasionally here and there. (<a href="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/hill.htm">more info</a>)<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(145, 132, 60);">Rivers: </span></b>Although many rivers and streamlets drain the hill ranges the most important and useful rivers are the Tlawng (also known as Dhaleswari or Katakhal), Tut (Gutur), Tuirial (Sonai) and Tuivawl which flow through the northern territory and eventually join river Barak in Cachar. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Koldoyne (Chhimtuipui) which originates in Myanmar, is an important river in the south Mizoram. It has four tributaries and the river is in patches. The Western part is drained by Karnaphuli (Khawthlang tuipui) and its tributaries. A number of important towns including Chittagong in Bangladesh is situated at the mouth of the river. Before Independence, access to other parts of the country was possible only through the river routes via Cachar in the north, and via Chittagong in the South. Entry through the later was sealed when the Sub-continents was partitioned and ceded to E.Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1947. (<a href="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/river.htm">more info)</a><br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(145, 132, 60);">Lakes: </span></b>Lakes are scattered all over the state. But the most important of them are Palak, Tamdil, Rungdil; and Rengdil. The Palak lake is situated in Chhimtuipui District in southern Mizoram and covers an area of 30 Ha. It is believed the lake was created as a result of an earthquake or a flood. The local people believe a village which was submerged still remains intact deep under the waters. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Tamdil lake is a natural lake situated 110/85 kms from Aizawl. Legend has it there was once a huge mustard plant in this place. When the plant was cut off, jets of water sprayed from the plant created a pool of water, and thus the name Tamdil which means of 'Lake of Mustard Plant' was born. Today the lake is an important tourist attraction and a holiday resort<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mizo people have a number of dances which are accompanied with few musical instrument like the gong and drum<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="Khuallam:"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Khuallam:</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Khuallam literary means 'Dance of the Guests'. It is a dance usually performed in the ceremony called 'Khuangchawi'. In order to claim a distinguished place in the society and to have a place in paradise or Pialral one has to attain the coveted title of 'Thangchhuah'. There are two ways of attaining this title. <a href="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/KHUALLAM.MPG" target="_blank">(Video Clip)</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 63%;" valign="top" width="63%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Firstly one could attain the title Thangchhuah by proving one's mettle in war or in hunting by killing many animals which should include animals like barking,deer, wild boar, bear, wild gayal, viper, hawk etc.Secondly one could also get the title of Thangchhuah by performing feats and dances. Thangchhuah therefore could be attained only by the brave or by the rich. The ceremonies performed in the second method are known as Khuangchawi.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 3%;" valign="top" width="3%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 34%;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_12" spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Khuallam" style="'position:absolute;margin-left:144.5pt;margin-top:0;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png" title="Khuallam"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" alt="Khuallam" shapes="Picture_x0020_12" align="right" height="156" width="246" /><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Guests invited from the other villages at the Khuangchawi ceremony enter the arena dancing Khuallam. Traditional hand woven Mizo cloth known as Puandum is wrapped over the shoulders and the dance is performed by swaying the cloth. Puandum has the colors black, red, yellow and green stripes. Significantly Puandum is an indispensable item which every girl has to take along with when she gets married. It is used when her husband dies to cover the dead body. As most other folk dances of the Mizos, this dance is accompanied by a set of gongs known as Darbu and no song is sung. It is generally performed in large numbers.<br /> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 62%;" valign="top" width="62%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a name="Cheraw:"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Cheraw:</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Cheraw is a very old traditional dance of the Mizos. It is believed that the dance had already existed way back in the 1st Century A.D., while the Mizos were still somewhere in the Yunan Province of China, before their migration into the Chin Hills in the 13th Century A.D., and eventually to the present Mizoram. Some of the tribes living in South East Asia have similar dances in one form or the other with different names.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 3%;" valign="top" width="3%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 35%;" valign="top" width="35%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_13" spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Cheraw" style="'position:absolute;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg" title="Cheraw"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.jpg" alt="Cheraw" shapes="Picture_x0020_13" align="right" height="157" width="245" /><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; display: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td colspan="3" style="padding: 0in; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Men sitting face to face on the ground tap long pairs of horizontal and cross bamboo staves open and close in rhythmic beats. Girls in colorful Mizo costumes of 'Puanchei', 'Kawrchei'. Vakiria' and 'Thihna' dance in and out between the beats of bamboo. This dance is now performed in almost all festive occasions. The unique style of the 'Cheraw' is a great fascination everywhere it is performed. Gongs and drums are used to accompany the dance. Today modern music also complements the dance. <a href="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/cheraw.htm" target="_blank">(Video Clip)</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="Sarlamkai/Solakia_:"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sarlamkai/Solakia :</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> This is an impressive dance originating from the Pawi and Mara communities in the southern part of Mizoram. This dance is known as 'Sarlamkai' whereas the Lushais referred to it as 'Rallu Lam'. In older days when the different tribes were constantly at war with each other, a ceremony to deride the vanquished beheaded skull of the enemy was usually held by the victor. This ceremony is performed to ensure that the vanquished soul remains a slave to the victor even when the latter also dies. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 53%;" valign="top" width="53%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The derision ceremony usually lasts for 5(five) days. The first 2 (two) days is spent in merry-making, singing alongside drinks and a non-vegetarian feast. On the third day a pig is slaughtered and he victor paints his whole body with the animal's blood, which he only washes off on the evening of the fourth day or on the morning of the fifth day. During this 5(five) days period, the victor is not to sleep with any women. life. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 2%;" valign="top" width="2%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 45%;" valign="top" width="45%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_14" spid="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Sarlamkai" style="'position:absolute;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.png" title="Sarlamkai"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image006.jpg" alt="Sarlamkai" shapes="Picture_x0020_14" align="right" height="158" width="246" /><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td colspan="3" style="padding: 0in; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If he does so, the vanquished soul is believed to be infuriated and cause upon the victor, a permanent disability inAny person who brings about an occasion for such a ceremony is highly regarded and respected by the people, the king as well as his elders.Therefore, every adult strives with all his or her capability to be such a hero. The courage and bravery of such heroes is a great consolation for the people when faced with any external aggression. It is during this ceremony that the 'Sarlamkai' dance is performed. As is obvious, it is a warrior dance performed to celebrate a victory in war. Songs are not sung; only gongs or cymbals or drums are used for making beats. In the dance, boys and girls standing in alternate position, dance in circles. They generally wear colorful dresses while the leader is dressed as a warrior.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="Chailam:"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chailam: </span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Chailam is a popular dance performed on the occasion of 'Chapchar Kut' one of the most important festivals of the Mizos. In this dance, men and women stand alternatively in circles, with the women holding on to the waist of the man, and the man on the women's shoulder. In the middle of the circle are the musicians who play the drums and the mithun's horn. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 53%;" valign="top" width="53%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The musician playing the drum choreographs the entire nuances of the dance while the one with the mithun's horn chants the lyrics of the 'chai' song. For the dance to start, the drummer beats on the drum, and upon the fourth stroke of the drum the chai song is sung with the rhythmic swaying of the dancers to the left and right, in accordance with beats of the drum.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 2%;" valign="top" width="2%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 45%;" valign="top" width="45%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_15" spid="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chai" style="'position:absolute;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.png" title="Chai"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image008.jpg" alt="Chai" shapes="Picture_x0020_15" align="right" height="158" width="249" /><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td colspan="3" style="padding: 0in; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Depending on the nuances followed, the chailam' has four versions, viz 'Chai Lamthai I, 'Chai Lamthai II, Chai Lamthai III and 'Chai Lamthai IV'. Legend has it that once a king and his men went out for hunting. Unfortunately, they failed miserably and had to be contended without a kill. The king, then seeing the utter disappointment of his men, rose to the occasion and consoles them by inviting them for a drink of rice beer at his palace. On being intoxicated by the drinks, the party then culminated by singing and dancing followed by a sumptuous feast. Since then, every year, the community continues to enliven the memory of this occasion be celebrating it with various entertainment programs, thus giving rise to one of the most important festivals of the Mizos, the 'Chapchar Kut'. In this dance, musical instrument like drum and horns of mithun are used for making beats. The festivals continues for a week or more. In olden days, the 'Chai' dancers used to drink rice beer continuously during singing and dancing. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="Chawnglaizawn_:"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chawnglaizawn :</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> This is a popular fold dance of one of the Mizo communities known as Pawi. This dance is performed in two different occasions. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 53%;" valign="top" width="53%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">(i) It is performed by a husband to mourn the death of his wife. The husband would be continuously performing this dance till he gets tired. Friends and relatives would relieve him and dance on his behalf. This signifies that they mourn with the bereaved.<br /> (ii) Chawnglaizawn' is performed on festivals and also to celebrate trophies brought home by successful hunters.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 2%;" valign="top" width="2%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 45%;" valign="top" width="45%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_95" spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chawnglaizawn" style="'width:201pt;height:125.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.png" title="Chawnglaizawn"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image010.jpg" alt="Chawnglaizawn" shapes="Picture_x0020_95" border="0" height="167" width="268" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td colspan="3" style="padding: 0in; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On such occasions, it is performed in groups of large numbers. Boys and girls standing in rows dance to the beat of drums. Shawls are used to help the movement of the arms, which also adds color to the dance. Only drums are used in this dance.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="Chheihlam_:"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chheihlam : </span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chheihlam' originated after the year 1900 on the lines of the songs known as 'Puma Zai' and the dance known as 'Tlanglam'. It is a dance that embodies the spirit of joy and exhilaration. It is performed to the accompaniment of a song called 'Chheih hla'. People squat around in a circle on the floor, sing to the beat of a drum or bamboo tube while a pair of dancers stand in the middle, recite the song and dance along with the music.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 53%;" valign="top" width="53%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It was a dance performed over a round of rice beer in the cool of the evening. The lyrics are impromptu and spontaneous on the spot compositions recounting their heroic deeds and escapades and they also praise the honored guests present in their midst. While singing the song accompanied by sound produced by beating of the drum or clapping of hands, an expert dancer performs his dance chanting verses with various movements of the body, with limbs<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 2%;" valign="top" width="2%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 45%;" valign="top" width="45%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_16" spid="_x0000_s1030" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chheihlam" style="'position:absolute;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image011.png" title="Chheihlam"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image012.jpg" alt="Chheihlam" shapes="Picture_x0020_16" align="right" height="158" width="248" /><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td colspan="3" style="padding: 0in; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">close to the body and crouching low to the ground. As the tempo rose and the excitement increases, people squatting on the floor leave their seats and join him. Guests present are also invited to join the dance. Today 'Chheihlam' is performed on any occasion with colorful costumes, normally in the evening when the day's work is over<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 53%;" valign="top" width="53%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a name="Tlanglam:"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tlanglam:</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Tlanglam is performed throughout the length and breadth of the State. Using music of Puma Zai, there have been several variations of the dance. This dance is one of the most popular dances these days by our cultural troupes in various places. Both sexes take part in this dance. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 2%;" valign="top" width="2%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 45%;" valign="top" width="45%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_17" spid="_x0000_s1031" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Tlanglam" style="'position:absolute;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image013.png" title="Tlanglam"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image014.jpg" alt="Tlanglam" shapes="Picture_x0020_17" align="right" height="164" width="251" /><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td colspan="3" style="padding: 0in; width: 100%;" valign="top" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a name="Zangtalam:"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Zangtalam: </span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Zangtalam is a popular Paihte dance performed by men and women. While dancing, the dancers sing responsive song. A drummer is a leader and director of the dance. The duration of the dance depends on the drummer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p><a name="PLACE_OF_INTEREST_:">PLACE OF INTEREST : </a><br /> There are quite a number of places in Mizoram which may be described as 'must see' for tourist sports, anyone wishing to see a little more than the conventional tourist sports, anyone interests to know about the local culture and traditions is advised/expected to to do /visit some of the Mizoram's historic memorials and fabled caves scattered all over the State. Traveling in Mizoram, not unlike in any other mountainous regions, is pain staking and little hazardous at times, but it has its own rewards. </p> <p><br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Blue Mountain:</span></b> The Highest peak in Mizoram, The Blue Mountain (Phawngpui) is situated in Chhimtuipui district overlooking the bend of the river Koldyne (Chhimtuipui) close on the state's border with Myanmar. The peak 2,157 metre in height and encircled by bamboo groves at the top where there is a level ground of about 200 hectares, offers a grand view of the height hills and the meandering undulated valleys. The woods around are home to various species of beautiful and rare flora and fauna. </p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Pukzing Cave: </span></b>The largest cave in Mizoram, it is situated at Pukzing village near Marpara in the district of Aizawl district (Mamit). Legend has it that cave was carved out of the hills with the help of only a hair pin by a very strong man called Mualzavata </p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Milu Puk:</span></b> In the Mizo language, puk means a cave. Situated near Mamte village over 100 kms, from Lunglei town, the Milu Puk, which is a large cave, was found many years ago to contain heaps of human skeleton. </p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Lamsial Puk: </span></b>Sitiuated near Farkawn village in Aizawl (Champhai) district, the cave as a silent testimony to a battle between two neighboring villages in which many lost their lives. The bodies of the fighters from village Lamsial are said to have been kept in the cave.</p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Kungawrhi Puk:</span></b> Another cave in Aizawl district, it is situated on a hill between Farkawn and Vaphai Villages. According to the folktales, a beautiful young girl by the name of Kungawrhi was abducted and kept confined in the forlorn cave by some evil spirits when she was on her way to her husband's village. Kungawrhi, however, was later rescued by her husband from the prison of the spirits. </p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Sibuta Lung: </span></b>Erected about three hundreds years ago by a tribal chief, this memorial stone is named after him. The memorial offer a story of jilted love and lust for revenge. Having been rejected by a girl he fell headlong in love with, Sibuta went mad for revenge and decided to raise a memorial to himself in a manner which displayed an insane mind. A huge rock awash with the blood of three people sacrificed by Sibuta was carried over a distance of 10 km from the Tlawng river. Darlalpuii, a beautiful young girl, was crushed alive in a pit dug to erect the mausoleum. The memorial was raised over Darlai who lost her life under weight of the stone. </p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Phulpui Grave:</span></b> A tale of love and tragedy also hangs by this grave located at Phulpui village in Aizawl District. Tualvungi, a raging beauty in her time, was married to Zawlpala, the Phulpui chief. She was later forced by circumstances to marry Phuntia, chief of another village. But Tualvungi could not forget her first love. She came to Phulpui years after Zawlpala's death, hah a pit dug by the side of his grave and persuaded an old woman to kill and bury there.</p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Chhingpuii Memorial: </span></b>Raised to the memory of a young woman called Chhingpuii who was exceedingly beautiful, it is situated between Baktawng and Chhingchhip villages on the Aizawl - Lunglei Road. Chhingpuii, born to an aristocratic family, selected Kaptluanga as her husband from among her many suitors. But her happiness was short-lived, as a war broke out afterwards. Chhingpuii was abducted and killed. A grief-stricken Kaptluanga took his own life. The stone memorial reminds one of the legendary love story of Chhingpuii and Kaptluanga. </p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Mangkhai Lung:</span></b> A large memorial stone, it was erected about three hundred years ago at Champhai to the memory of a well-known Ralte chief, Mangkhaia. </p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Budha's Image</span></b>: An engraved image of Lord Buddha, with those of dancing girls on either side, was found at a site near Mualcheng Village about 50 km from Lunglei town. The site also has another stone slab on which some human footmarks and a few implements like spearhead and Dao are engraved. The area is close to the Chittagong Hill Tracts which was under which the Buddhist influence a few centuries ago. It is assumed that some visiting Buddhists from the Hill Tracts were responsible for the Buddha engraving.<br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Suangpuilawn Inscriptions: </span></b>A stone slab lie by a stream at Suangpuilawn village in Aizawl district with strange words inscribed on it. The inscription remain to be deciphered till date. However, it is believed that the inscription were done by some people who inhabited the area in ancient times.</p> <p><b><span style="color: rgb(206, 196, 134);">Thangliana Lung:</span></b> Captian T.H.Lewin was one of the first Englishmen to come to Mizoram. The District Commissioner of the Chittagong Hills Tracts, who entered Mizoram by way of Demagiri (Tlabung) in 1865, became so popular with the local tribesmen that as a mark of respect, he was called Thangliana which meant 'greatly famous'. He lived with the Mizos for nine years and authored the first Lushai book. His memorial stone at Demagiri remains as evidence of the extent of his popularity with the Mizos.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Upcoming Event: Anthurium Festival “Festival amidst Nature” 20th & 21st June, 2008</span></b><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /> <br /> <br /> The most successful and enjoyable festival in Mizoram-Anthurium festival will be held on 20th&21st June, 2008 at Reiek Tourist Resort.<br /> <br /> June is the best time of the year to visit and enjoy the beauties of Mizoram for the festival of Anthurium is coming up. Anthurium Festival is now the most successful and most enjoyable in Mizoram. At The Reiek Tourist Resort, one can also find The Mizo Typical Village, Modern Village and Khuangchera Puk (Cave) etc. and You can enjoy the Picteresque beauty of the place.<br /> <br /> <b>Why Anthurium Festival?</b><br /> Mizoram with its moderate climate has become the largest anthurium producer in India with the state-produced best quality anthurium highly demanded within India and abroad.To promote anthurium flower among Mizo farmers as well as to attract tourists, the state horticulture and tourism departments have initiated a colourful Anthurium Festival a few years back.<br /> <br /> The festival will also serve as an exhibition for various local products – fruits, vegetables, handloom and handicrafts.<br /> <br /> The month of June sees anthurium at its peak. “Our monthly export is likely to increase to 1,00,000 cut flowers during June,” Zo-Anthurium Growers’ Society Secretary Lalhmangaihi said.. She also informed that about half of anthurium produced in Mizoram are consumed in Mizoram and other Indian metros such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.<br /> <br /> Dubai is the biggest destination of Mizoram’s anthurium, and the exporters are eyeing New Zealand and Australia. “The main problem is we are yet unable to meet the demand within India and abroad,” Lalhmangaihi said.<br /> <br /> At present, more than 70 varieties of anthurium are cultivated and more than 400 growers are engaged in it, said the Horticulture director, adding that under the technology mission programme more areas are being covered to be able to meet the global market’s demand. The export of anthurium is being undertaken by Bangalore-based Zopar Export Limited.<br /> <br /> According to the official, the monthly income of anthurium grower varies from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. “This venture has not only brought about a change in the horticulture scenarios of the state, but also uplift the living standard of the farmers,” he said, and attributed the success to the cordial relation between the department and the growers.<br /> <br /> Come n join the rain dance amidst the scenic beauty of Reiek<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">MIZORAM NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES :</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 98%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="98%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(226, 235, 205) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 26.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: rgb(193, 201, 148) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 26.25pt;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sanctuary/National Parks</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: rgb(193, 201, 148) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 26.25pt;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Area </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: rgb(193, 201, 148) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 26.25pt;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Forest Type </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: rgb(193, 201, 148) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 26.25pt;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Important Species</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/Dampa%20Wildllife.htm">Dampa Tiger reserve</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">500 Sq. Km.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sub-Tropical, Semi-evergreen forest<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tiger, Elephant, Sambar, Barking deer, Hoolock gibbon and variety of birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/Murlen%20Wildlife.htm">Murlen National Park</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">100 Sq. Km<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sub-Tropical, Semi-evergreen forest and Sub-montane forest<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Humes bar- tailed pheasant, Tiger, Hoolock Gibbon, Serrow, Ghoral, Leopard, Himalayan black bear and variety of birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Blue Mountain National Park<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">50 Sq. Km.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sub-mountain tropical forest<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Serrow, Ghoral, Leopard, Tragopan, Sambar and varieties of birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/wildlife.htm#w1">Ngenpui Wildlife Sanctuary</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">110 Sq. Km.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sub-Tropical, Semi-evergreen forest<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, Hoolock gibbon and variety of birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/wildlife.htm#w2">Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">41 Sq. Km<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sub-Tropical, Semi-evergreen forest<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sambar, Tiger, Hoolock Gibbon, Serrow, Barking deer and variety of birds<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/Tawi%20Wildlife.htm">Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">35.75 Sq. Km.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sub-Tropical, Semi-evergreen forest<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tigers, Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, Hoolock gibbon and variety of birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/wildlife.htm#w3">Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">60 Sq. Km.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sub-Tropical forest, Semi-evergreen forest and Sub-montane tropical forest<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Humes bar tailed pheasant, Tigers, Hoolock gibbon, Serrow, Ghoral, Leopard, Himalayan black bear and variety of birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 12.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 34%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12.75pt;" valign="top" width="34%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/wildlife.htm#w4">Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 17%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12.75pt;" valign="top" width="17%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12.75pt;" valign="top" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sub-Tropical, Evergreen / Semi-evergreen forest.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 1.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 24%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 12.75pt;" valign="top" width="24%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Leopard, Sambar, Barking deer, Hoolock gibbon, Sloth Bear and variety of birds.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="w1"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(255, 51, 0);">»</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> The Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in South-Western Mizoram. It is close to Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Bangladesh border. The total area of the Sanctuary is 110 Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 200m to about 1200m msl. The wild animals found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Clouded leopard, Elephant, Guar, Barking deer, Sambar, Wild boar, Hoolock Gibbon, Rhesus macaque, Leaf monkey, Common langur, etc.<br /> <a name="w2"></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);">»</span></b><br /> The Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary is situated approximately 170 km from Aizawl. It covers an area of about 35 Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 400m to 1300m. Animals commonly found here are Wild boars etc.<br /> <br /> <a name="w3"></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);">»</span></b><br /> The Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Eastern part of Mizoram adjacent to Murlen National Park. The approximate area of the Sanctuary is 60 Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 400m to about 2300m above msl. Within this park is the second highest Peak in Mizoram. The important wild animals and birds found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Ghoral, Serrow, Hume's Bartailed Pheasant, Kaleej Pheasant, Barking deer, Wild boar, Hoolock gibbon, Rhesus macaque, etc.<br /> <br /> <a name="w4"></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);">»</span></b><br /> The Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary is situated approximately 240 km from Aizawl via Thenzawl village in the Western Part of Mizoram and is adjacent of Dampa. The Sanctuary acts as a corridor for elephants which migrate from Bangladesh. The area of this Sanctuary is 50 Sq. Km. Important animals found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Hoolock gibbon, Leaf Monkey, Sambar, Barking Deer, and variety of Birds, etc.<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Phawngpui National Park </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);">»</span></b><br /> The Phawngpui National Park is situated in South Eastern Mizoram adjacent to Myanmar border. The highest peak in Mizoram, the Phawngpui (2360m) is located within this Park. The total area of the Park is 50 Sq. Km. The important wild animals and birds found in this Park are Ghoral, Serrow, Barking deer, Sambar, Leopard, Blyth's tragopan, Kaelej Pheasant, Hoolock Gibbon, Common Langur, Rhesus macaque, Stump tail macaque and variety of birds and orchids.<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Suggestions to visitors </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);">»</span></b><br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Treat the Sanctuary with respect as the sanctum sanctorum of nature.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> If you are in a vehicle, bear in mind that wild animals have the right of way within the Sanctuary.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Transistors, tape recorders and loud conversations are prohibited in the Sanctuary.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Dress in colours that blend with the forest like khaki brown, olive green etc.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Utilize the services of local guides and field staff on duty.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Shoot with cameras, not with guns.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Make the most of your visit - learn more of the world you are part of.<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Caution </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 51, 0);">»</span></b><br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Take strict precautions to prevent accidental forest fires caused due to carelessness.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Avoid any form of pollution within the sanctuary either of air, soil or water.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Keep a reasonable distance from all animals. Disturbed animals may be provoked to attack.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">• </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do not go near a nest, an alarmed bird can damage the eggs to be hatched.<br /> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">•</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Leave things as you found them, do not litter.<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">To visit and for more information about wildlife in Mizoram, please contact:</span><br /> <br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">PRINCIPAL, CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF FOREST</span></b><br /> EF'O COMPLEX<br /> TUIKHUAHTLANG, AIZAWL<br /> MIZORAM<br /> PH : <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:8.25pt;height:8.25pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image015.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1026" border="0" height="11" width="11" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:24pt;height:24pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image016.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1027" border="0" height="32" width="32" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1028" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1029" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1030" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1031" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1031" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><!--[endif]-->+91 - (0) 389-2325727<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1032" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:8.25pt;height:8.25pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image015.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1032" border="0" height="11" width="11" /><!--[endif]--><br /> FAX : +91 - (0) 389-2325727<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">CHIEF WILDLIFE WARDEN</span></b><br /> EF'O COMPLEX<br /> TUIKHUAHTLANG, AIZAWL<br /> MIZORAM<br /> PH : <!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1033" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:8.25pt;height:8.25pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image015.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1033" border="0" height="11" width="11" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1034" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:24pt;height:24pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image016.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1034" border="0" height="32" width="32" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1035" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1035" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1036" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1036" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1037" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1037" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1038" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1038" border="0" height="1" width="1" /><!--[endif]-->+91 - (0) 389-2325371<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1039" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="" style="'width:8.25pt;height:8.25pt'/"><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image015.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1039" border="0" height="11" width="11" /><!--[endif]--><br /> FAX : +91 - (0) 389-2325371<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="p1"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Aizawl »</span></b></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> The tropic of Cancer runs through the very heart of Aizawl, Mizoram's capital city which is an ideal hill station for tourists looking for solitude, an environment which is clean & fresh with a temperate climate throughout the year.<br /> <br /> This 112 - years old citadel-like city, with its timber houses and profusion of flowers is set on a ridge at approximately an altitude of 4000 ft above sea level. With a population of approximately 2 lakhs, it's cloudless blue skies, dewy mornings and sunlit days carry a promise of unforgettable holiday pleasures practically all year round. Even the monsoon months are pleasant and gentle.<br /> <br /> From Aizawl, visitors can enjoy the stunning vistas of the lush emerald Tlawng River Valley in the west and the Turial River Valley in the east. Facing north, the rugged visage of the beautiful high craggy hills of Durtlang are encountered, another slice of Mizoram's legendry natural beauty.<br /> <br /> Aizawl is the political and cultural centre of Mizoram. It is the seat of the Government and all important Government as well as Public Sector offices are located at Aizawl. It is also the commercial hub of the State with all economic activities centered here.<br /> <br /> Before taking off to explore the breathtaking natural beauty of the countryside (Bung, 16 km, is a popular picnic spot and Falklawn Mizo Village, a tourist attraction is 18 km away), spend time at the State Museum on Mcdonald hill, Zarkawt, whose collection of costumes, artifacts and historical relics tell you something about Mizo culture. You will encounter another colourful facet of Mizo tradition in the shops around Aizawl.<br /> <br /> Mizo women are expert weavers, a tradition handed down the generations - so do take colourful reminders of your visit in the form of traditional textiles such as puan with its intricate weave in the many colours, readily available in places such as Bara Bazar the main market.<br /> <br /> Mizo men are skilled craftsmen, working the native cane and bamboo into an inventive range of baskets and cane & bamboo items.<br /> The love of music amongst the Mizo's is amply evident on the streets of Aizawl as youngsters gather in throngs to listen to a rapt guitarist or a duet sung on a street corner; the music shops are abuzz with activity. Being in the city during one of their traditional festivals such a Chapachar Kut, Min Kut and Pawl Kut is a real treat. You will encounter some of the most fascinating vignettes of Mizo culture underscored by a magical joi de vivre, which touches even the fleeting visitor with its vigour. The dexterous footwork and colourful costumes of the famous Cheraw (bamboo dance) are spectacular.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 15%;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="15%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 7%; height: 11.25pt;" width="7%"><br /></td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 10%; height: 11.25pt;" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_866" spid="_x0000_i1040" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" style="'width:8.25pt;height:6pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image018.jpg" title="toparrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_866" border="0" height="8" width="11" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 32%; height: 11.25pt;" width="32%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/placesofinterest.htm#top"> TOP</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <a name="p2"></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Tamdil »</span></b><br /> Pick a picnic basket and head out for Tamdil (Tam Lake). This natural lake is reputed for its fish and prawns and is an 85 km drive from Aizawl. The drive gives you an excellent opportunity to see some of the prettiest areas of Mizoram. Go for boat rides, relax by the tranquil waters and if you can bestir yourself, take a drive into the nearby jungles, which are home to an assortment of fascinating flora and fauna. You can also stay here overnight. The resort village of Saituai is just 10 km away.<br /> <br /> <a name="p3"><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Vantawang </span></b></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">»</span> </b><br /> Surrounded by a vast stretch of thick bamboo forests close to Thenzawl hill station is Mizoram's highest waterfall Vantawang (750 ft.). Located 152 km from Aizawl, this popular water body is worth a visit. If you can't get enough of it you can stay overnight for it's equipped with a cafeteria and cottage for hire.</span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <a name="p4"><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Champhai</span></b></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);"> »</span></b><br /> Drive along the fertile plains of Champhai, about 200 km from Aizawl to enjoy the stunning vista of emerald rice fields bordered by the smoky hills of Myanmar. This bustling commercial hub on the Indo-Myanmar borderline also attracts nature lovers by the droves.<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Phawngpui »</span></b><br /> One of the finest encounter with Mizoram's splendid vistas is Phawngpui , its highest peak, which is extremely popular with trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. The Blue Mountain, as it is often referred to, is 300 km from Aizawl and close to the Myanmar border. Fragrant herbs and rare species of orchids and rhododendrons are found here.<br /> <br /> Under the protection of State Government's conservation programme, entry is monitored, but allows access to trekkers, picnickers and campers. Accommodation is available in Sangau and Vawmbuk village. You need a four-wheel drive to access Phawngpui.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 15%;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="15%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 7%; height: 11.25pt;" width="7%"><br /></td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 10%; height: 11.25pt;" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_867" spid="_x0000_i1041" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" style="'width:8.25pt;height:6pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image018.jpg" title="toparrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_867" border="0" height="8" width="11" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 32%; height: 11.25pt;" width="32%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/placesofinterest.htm#top"> TOP</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Saiha »</span></b><br /> Saiha is an angler's paradise on the Chhimtuipui, Mizoram's biggest river, 378 km from Aizawl. Overnight stay can be arranged at the tourist lodge at Saiha. Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) is 30 kms away.<br /> <br /> Drive another 45 km to the popular Lake Palak, the largest in Mizoram and highly reputed for its varieties of wild duck, crabs and large fish. Tiger, bear, deer, and wild pig populate the forests of the wildlife sanctuary around the lake.</span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Lunglei »</span></b><br /> Situated in South Mizoram, this district headquarter town is a popular hill station offering fascinating vignettes of Mizoram's legendary natural beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">T</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">he Mizos, blessed as they are with a beautiful environment and rich culture, are a vibrant and sociable society. They love to dance and sing. As a result of which a number of folk and community dances have been handed down from one generation to the other through the ages. The dances are the expressions of the gay, carefree spirit of the Mizos. It should be mentioned here that these dances are not intended for stage performances, rather, they have been evolved for community involvement and participation.<br /> <br /> <a name="d1"><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Cheraw</span></b></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);"> »</span></b><br /> The most colourful and distinctive dance of the Mizos is called ‘Cheraw’. Little is known about the origin of Cheraw. Possibly the forefathers of Mizos brought it with them when they left their homes in far-east Asia. Cheraw is performed on any occasion these days. But, as the legend goes, it used to be performed in earlier times only to ensure a safe passage for the soul of a mother who died at childbirth. Cheraw is, therefore, a dance of sanctification and redemption performed with great care, precision and elegance.<br /> <br /> Long bamboo starves are used for this dance, therefore many people call it 'Bamboo Dance'. The dancers move by stepping alternatively in and out from between and across a pair of horizontal bamboos, held against the ground by people sitting face to face on either side. They tap the bamboos in rhythmic beats. The bamboos, placed horizontally, are supported by two bases, one at each end. The bamboos, when clapped, produce a sound which forms the rhythm of the dance. It indicates the timing of the dance as well. The dancers steps in and out to the beats of the bamboos with ease and grace. The patterns and stepping of the dance have many vibrations. Sometimes the steppings are made to imitate the movement of birds, sometimes the swaying of trees and so on<o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 50%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="50%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 2.25pt; width: 9%;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">»</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 2.25pt; width: 91%;" valign="top" width="91%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/dances.htm">Cheraw Dance</a> <span style="color: red;">[Video Clip]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="d2"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Khuallam »</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> Khual, in Mizo language, means a guest, lam means dancing. So, Khuallam is the dance of the guest. The Mizos, in the pre-Christian days, believed that the soul, after death went either to 'Pialral' or paradise, or 'Mitthi Khua', a land of sorrow and misery. To have a place in Paradise, one had to prove one's mettle either in war or in hunting or by being a man of distinction in society. To claim a distinguished place in society, one had to perform various ceremonies which included offering community feasts and dances. These ceremonies performed together, were known as 'Khuangchawi'. While performing Khuangchawi one was obliged to invite relatives from nearby villages. The guest entered the arena of the Khuangchawi dancing Khuallam- hence, Khuallam is the dance for the visitors or guests.<br /> <br /> The dance is normally performed by men dressed in Puandum (traditional Mizo clothes with red and green stripes) to the accompaniment of a set of gongs known as Darbu. A group dance, the more the merrier, they dance to the tune of gongs and drums.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 30%;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="30%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 14%; height: 11.25pt;" width="14%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/dances.htm#top"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">«</span></b></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 37%; height: 11.25pt;" width="37%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/dances.htm#top"> </a><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/home.htm">BACK</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 7%; height: 11.25pt;" width="7%"><br /></td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 10%; height: 11.25pt;" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_870" spid="_x0000_i1042" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" style="'width:8.25pt;height:6pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image018.jpg" title="toparrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_870" border="0" height="8" width="11" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 32%; height: 11.25pt;" width="32%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/dances.htm#top"> TOP</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <a name="d3"></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Chheih Lam »</span><br /> </b>It is the dance over a round of rice beer in the cool of the evening. The lyrics in triplets are normally fresh and spontaneous on-the-spot compositions, recounting their heroic deeds and escapades and also praising the honoured guests present in their midst.<br /> <br /> Joie de vivre would be the appropriate term to describe Chheih lam, a dance that embodies the spirit of joy and exhilaration. Chheih lam is performed to the accompaniment of a song called Chheih hla. The song is sung to the beats of a drum or bamboo tube or clapping of hands. People squat on the floor in a circle while a dancer stands in the middle reciting a song with various movements of limbs and body. An expert Chheih dancer performs his part in such a manner that the people around him leave their seats and join the dance. Any one can try this dance, for it has no specific choreography. All that one has to do is to get into the mood and live up to it. Chheih lam is performed on any occasion normally in the evenings, when the day's work is over.</span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <a name="d4"></a><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Chai »</span><br /> </b>Chai is a festival dance. It is a community dance with men and women standing one after another in a circle, holding each other on the shoulder and the nape. The dancers sway to and fro and swing their feet to the tune of the song, sung in chorus by all of them, while a drummer and gongman beat their instruments used in the dance. Chai presents a grand show, but it is not exactly suitable for performing on the stage. In olden days, the Chai dancers used to consume rice-beer continuously while dancing, they did not know when to stop.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Rallu Lam »</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Strictly speaking, Rallu lam is not a dance as such. It is rather a celebration or a rite in honour of a victorious warrior. When a warrior comes back after a successful campaign, he is given a warm and colourful reception by the village Chief. The celebration consists of a re-enactment of the warrior's heroic exploits. The mode of celebration, however, varies from village to village. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 30%;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="30%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 14%; height: 11.25pt;" width="14%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;" align="right"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/dances.htm#top"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">«</span></b></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 37%; height: 11.25pt;" width="37%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/dances.htm#top"> </a><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/home.htm">BACK</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 7%; height: 11.25pt;" width="7%"><br /></td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 10%; height: 11.25pt;" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_871" spid="_x0000_i1043" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" style="'width:8.25pt;height:6pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image018.jpg" title="toparrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_871" border="0" height="8" width="11" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 32%; height: 11.25pt;" width="32%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/dances.htm#top"> TOP</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Solakia »</span></b><br /> Originally, the dance used to be performed mainly by the people of the Maras and Pawi communities of Mizoram. They remain the best exponents of the dance to-date. Like Rallu lam, Solakia was also performed in earlier times to celebrate a victory in war. Marked with five principal movements, the dance seeks to recapture the actions of a hero at war. Men and women stand in profile, while the hero, brandishing a sword and a shield, dances in the middle to the accompaniment of gong beats.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Sarlamkai »</span><br /> </b>One of the most impressive Mizo community dances, Sarlamkai is a variation of Solakia. The two dances are almost identical. The only difference lies in the dress and tempo. No song is sung, only gongs or cymbals or drums are used to beat time. Sarlamkai has been taken up by most of the schools in Mizoram for cultural activities these days. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 50%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="50%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 2.25pt; width: 9%;" valign="top" width="9%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">»</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 2.25pt; width: 91%;" valign="top" width="91%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/dances.htm">Sarlamkai</a> <span style="color: red;">[Video Clip]</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Par Lam »</span></b><br /> The land of enchanting hills has yet another dance, the Par lam. Girls attired in colourful dresses, with flowers tucked in their hair, dance to the tune of songs sung by themselves. The principal movement in the dance involves the waving of hands. A couple of boys lend musical accompaniment by playing guitars. Comparatively, this is a new dance. Nevertheless, it has become a part of the Mizo culture.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in;" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_874" spid="_x0000_i1044" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/handloom_pic.jpg" style="'width:449.25pt;height:143.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image019.jpg" title="handloom_pic"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/handloom_pic.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_874" border="0" height="191" width="599" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 27pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; height: 27pt;" valign="top"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(75, 100, 26);"><a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/aboutus.htm"><span style="">About Mizoram</span></a> » Handloom</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 1.5pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; height: 1.5pt;" valign="top"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 60%;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="60%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 49%;" width="49%"><br /></td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 38%;" width="38%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; 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font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 1%;" width="1%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_877" spid="_x0000_i1047" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/Contact_Head.jpg" style="'width:75pt;height:21.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image022.jpg" title="Contact_Head"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image022.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/Contact_Head.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_877" border="0" height="29" width="100" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; display: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 75%;" width="75%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 25%;" width="25%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 75%;" valign="top" width="75%"> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 99%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="99%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">M</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">izoram has rich and colourful range of handlooms. However, of all these the <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">'Puan'</span></b> occupies a place of pride in a Mizo lady's wardrobe. A Mizo lady is more fond of her "Puan" than any of her other dresses as the Puan consists of a colorful and breathtaking display of intricate<br /> designs.</span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">'Puanchei',</span></b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">this is one of the most beautiful dresses worn by the Mizo girls. This is worn on occasions such as weddings and festivals such as 'Chapchar Kut' and 'Pawl Kut'.<br /> <br /> In earlier times, these were all hand woven but nowadays these are mostly machine made. They are made from cotton and the colors are made by a thing called 'Ting'. Along with this, a blouse which is of the same pattern is usually worn. </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Ngotekherh</span></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">is worn in all festivals such as 'Chapchar Kut', 'Mim Kut' and 'Pawl Kut'. The colours used in this cloth are black and white. These are also hand - woven and are made of cotton. The black portion of the handloom is made from some kind of an artificial fur. </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Puandum</span></b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">is one of the most important handlooms of the Mizos. These are made from cotton and are handmade. This traditional hand-woven cloth called 'Puandum' is also wrapped over the shoulders while performing 'Khuallam', one of the famous traditional dances of the Mizos.<br /> <br /> A Puandum consists of black, red, yellow and green stripes. Significantly, Puandum is an indispensable item which every girl has to take along with her when she gets married. It is used to cover her husband's body when he dies. This is an integral part of the Mizo marriage and failure to bring the cloth entails punishment leading to a reduction in the bride price.</span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Hnika</span></b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">is also worn on the various festivals. It is one of the finest handlooms of the Mizos. It is made from silk and cotton and were all hand-woven in the olden days, but nowadays they are all machine-made. It has its origin among the Pawi tribe.It is equivalent to the 'Puanchei' cloth among the Pawi tribe. They wear it while performing the various dances such as Cheraw and Sarlamkai during the 'Kut' festivals.</span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Hmaram</span></b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">is also known as 'Kawkpui zikzial' and are mostly worn by the children and girls. They are worn on the occasions such as 'Chawn Day', 'Chhawnghnawh Day' and 'Chapchar Kut'.<br /> <br /> This is one of the first handlooms made by the Mizos. They are usually made of cotton and they are hand-woven.<br /> <br /> <b><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Kawrchei </span></b>is worn on every 'kut' such as 'Chapchar Kut', 'Mim Kut' and 'Pawl Kut'. It is one of the most beautiful blouses worn by the girls. Like other clothes they are hand-woven and are made from cotton.<br /> This are usually worn along with 'Puanchei' and while performing the various dances of the Mizos<br /> <br /> Taking home a water-proof Mizo hat (Khumbeu) made with bamboo and leaves, as a souvenir of Mizoram, is a must.<br /> </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You will find a good selection of traditional handloom shawls, bags and bamboo handicrafts in Bara Bazar. If you are looking for a variety and better quality crafts, the State Government Emporium and Hnam Chhantu are good places to start your shopping spree. </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /> <br /> </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Some of the other markets you can explore are New Market, Ritz Market, Bazar Bungkawn, Thakthing Bazar and Solomon's Cave in Aizawl. Shopping centers at Lunglei, Saiha, Champhai, Kolasib and other towns are also good places to shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 15%;" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="15%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 7%; height: 11.25pt;" width="7%"><br /></td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 10%; height: 11.25pt;" width="10%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_878" spid="_x0000_i1048" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" style="'width:8.25pt;height:6pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image018.jpg" title="toparrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/toparrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_878" border="0" height="8" width="11" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 32%; height: 11.25pt;" width="32%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <a href="http://mizotourism.nic.in/handloom.htm#top"> TOP</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 25%;" valign="top" width="25%"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_879" spid="_x0000_i1049" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/handloom1.jpg" style="'width:138pt;height:102pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image023.jpg" title="handloom1"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image023.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/handloom1.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_879" border="0" height="136" width="184" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 13.5pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 85%; height: 13.5pt;" width="85%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(111, 147, 36);">Puanchei </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 15%; height: 13.5pt;" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_880" spid="_x0000_i1050" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" style="'width:12.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image024.jpg" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image024.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_880" border="0" height="15" width="17" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_881" spid="_x0000_i1051" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/handloom2.jpg" style="'width:138pt;height:102pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image025.jpg" title="handloom2"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image025.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/handloom2.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_881" border="0" height="136" width="184" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 13.5pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 85%; height: 13.5pt;" width="85%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(111, 147, 36);">Ngotekherh </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 15%; height: 13.5pt;" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_882" spid="_x0000_i1052" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" style="'width:12.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image024.jpg" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image024.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_882" border="0" height="15" width="17" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_883" spid="_x0000_i1053" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/handloom3.jpg" style="'width:138pt;height:102pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image026.jpg" title="handloom3"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image026.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/handloom3.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_883" border="0" height="136" width="184" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 13.5pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 85%; height: 13.5pt;" width="85%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(111, 147, 36);">Puandum </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 15%; height: 13.5pt;" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_884" spid="_x0000_i1054" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" style="'width:12.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image024.jpg" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image024.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_884" border="0" height="15" width="17" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_885" spid="_x0000_i1055" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/hmaram.jpg" style="'width:138pt;height:102pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image027.jpg" title="hmaram"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image027.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/hmaram.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_885" border="0" height="136" width="184" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 13.5pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 85%; height: 13.5pt;" width="85%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(111, 147, 36);">Hmaram </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 15%; height: 13.5pt;" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_886" spid="_x0000_i1056" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" style="'width:12.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image024.jpg" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image024.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_886" border="0" height="15" width="17" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_887" spid="_x0000_i1057" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/hnika.jpg" style="'width:138pt;height:102pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image028.jpg" title="hnika"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image028.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/hnika.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_887" border="0" height="136" width="184" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 13.5pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 85%; height: 13.5pt;" width="85%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(111, 147, 36);">Hnika </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 15%; height: 13.5pt;" width="15%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_888" spid="_x0000_i1058" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" style="'width:12.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image024.jpg" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image024.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/arrow.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_888" border="0" height="15" width="17" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_889" spid="_x0000_i1059" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/mizoinpuanchei.jpg" style="'width:138pt;height:102pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image029.jpg" title="mizoinpuanchei"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image029.jpg" alt="http://mizotourism.nic.in/images/img/mizoinpuanchei.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_889" border="0" height="136" width="184" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 1.5pt;"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 13.5pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 85%; height: 13.5pt;" width="85%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(111, 147, 36);">Ladies in Traditional Dress</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p 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alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/puan.jpg" style="'width:186pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image031.jpg" title="puan"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image031.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/puan.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_97" border="0" height="159" width="248" /><!--[endif]--></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_19" spid="_x0000_s1033" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/flower.jpg" style="'position:absolute;margin-left:71pt;margin-top:0;width:111pt;height:120pt;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image032.jpg" title="flower"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image033.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/flower.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_19" align="right" height="160" width="148" /><!--[endif]--><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_98" spid="_x0000_i1061" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/main.jpg" style="'width:183pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image034.jpg" title="main"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image034.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/main.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_98" border="0" height="159" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_111" spid="_x0000_i1062" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image035.jpg" title="scenery"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image035.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_111" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_112" spid="_x0000_i1063" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery1.jpg" style="'width:183pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image036.jpg" title="scenery1"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image036.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery1.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_112" border="0" height="159" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_113" spid="_x0000_i1064" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery2.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image037.jpg" title="scenery2"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image037.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery2.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_113" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_114" spid="_x0000_i1065" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery3.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image038.jpg" title="scenery3"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image038.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery3.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_114" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_115" spid="_x0000_i1066" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery4.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image039.jpg" title="scenery4"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image039.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery4.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_115" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_116" spid="_x0000_i1067" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery5.jpg" style="'width:183pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image040.jpg" title="scenery5"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image040.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery5.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_116" border="0" height="159" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_117" spid="_x0000_i1068" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery6.jpg" style="'width:183pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image041.jpg" title="scenery6"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image041.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/scenery6.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_117" border="0" height="159" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_118" spid="_x0000_i1069" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/river.jpg" style="'width:183pt;height:122.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image042.jpg" title="river"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image042.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/river.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_118" border="0" height="163" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_119" spid="_x0000_i1070" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/lake.jpg" style="'width:183pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image030.jpg" title="lake"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image030.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/lake.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_119" border="0" height="159" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_120" spid="_x0000_i1071" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/vantawng.jpg" style="'width:183pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image043.jpg" title="vantawng"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image043.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/vantawng.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_120" border="0" height="159" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_343" spid="_x0000_i1072" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="bamboo product" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image044.jpg" title="bamboo product"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image044.jpg" alt="bamboo product" shapes="Picture_x0020_343" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bamboo Product <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_344" spid="_x0000_i1073" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Thul & Khumbeu" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image045.jpg" title="Thul & Khumbeu"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image045.jpg" alt="Thul & Khumbeu" shapes="Picture_x0020_344" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style=""> </span>Mizo Thul & Khumbeu <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_345" spid="_x0000_i1074" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Empai" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image046.jpg" title="Empai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image046.jpg" alt="Empai" shapes="Picture_x0020_345" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Empai & Flower vase<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_346" spid="_x0000_i1075" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Bamboo Furniture" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image047.jpg" title="Bamboo Furniture"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image047.jpg" alt="Bamboo Furniture" shapes="Picture_x0020_346" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bamboo Furniture<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_347" spid="_x0000_i1076" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Bamboo Furniture" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image048.jpg" title="Bamboo Furniture"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image048.jpg" alt="Bamboo Furniture" shapes="Picture_x0020_347" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bamboo Furniture<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_348" spid="_x0000_i1077" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Weaving" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image049.jpg" title="Weaving"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image049.jpg" alt="Weaving" shapes="Picture_x0020_348" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Weaving<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_349" spid="_x0000_i1078" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Hnahtah lai" style="'width:186.75pt;height:122.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image050.jpg" title="Hnahtah lai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image050.jpg" alt="Hnahtah lai" shapes="Picture_x0020_349" border="0" height="163" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hnangtah lai<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_350" spid="_x0000_i1079" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Puanchei leh Puandum" style="'width:186pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image031.jpg" title="Puanchei leh Puandum"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image031.jpg" alt="Puanchei leh Puandum" shapes="Picture_x0020_350" border="0" height="159" width="248" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Puanchei & Puandum<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_351" spid="_x0000_i1080" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Shawls" style="'width:183pt;height:119.25pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image051.jpg" title="Shawls"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image051.jpg" alt="Shawls" shapes="Picture_x0020_351" border="0" height="159" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Collection of Shawl</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_361" spid="_x0000_i1081" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chai" style="'width:216.75pt;height:135pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.png" title="Chai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image052.jpg" alt="Chai" shapes="Picture_x0020_361" border="0" height="180" width="289" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_362" spid="_x0000_i1082" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chawnglaizawn" style="'width:210.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.png" title="Chawnglaizawn"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image053.jpg" alt="Chawnglaizawn" shapes="Picture_x0020_362" border="0" height="177" width="281" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chai<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chawnglaizawn<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_363" spid="_x0000_i1083" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Cheraw" style="'width:219.75pt;height:135.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg" title="Cheraw"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image054.jpg" alt="Cheraw" shapes="Picture_x0020_363" border="0" height="181" width="293" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_364" spid="_x0000_i1084" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chheihlam" style="'width:3in;height:135pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image011.png" title="Chheihlam"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image055.jpg" alt="Chheihlam" shapes="Picture_x0020_364" border="0" height="180" width="288" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Cheraw<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chheihlam<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_365" spid="_x0000_i1085" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Khuallam" style="'width:224.25pt;height:143.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png" title="Khuallam"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image056.jpg" alt="Khuallam" shapes="Picture_x0020_365" border="0" height="191" width="299" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_366" spid="_x0000_i1086" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Sarlamkai" style="'width:213.75pt;height:144.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.png" title="Sarlamkai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image057.jpg" alt="Sarlamkai" shapes="Picture_x0020_366" border="0" height="193" width="285" /><!--[endif]--></span>Khuallam Sarlamkai <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_367" spid="_x0000_i1087" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Tlanglam" style="'width:225pt;height:146.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image013.png" title="Tlanglam"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image058.gif" alt="Tlanglam" shapes="Picture_x0020_367" border="0" height="195" width="300" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tlanglam<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_375" spid="_x0000_i1088" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3026.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image059.jpg" title="CIMG3026"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image059.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3026.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_375" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_376" spid="_x0000_i1089" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3029.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image060.jpg" title="CIMG3029"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image060.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3029.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_376" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_377" spid="_x0000_i1090" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chai" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image061.jpg" title="Chai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image061.jpg" alt="Chai" shapes="Picture_x0020_377" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_378" spid="_x0000_i1091" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chai" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image062.jpg" title="Chai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image062.jpg" alt="Chai" shapes="Picture_x0020_378" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">People celebrate Chapchar kut - Chai<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_379" spid="_x0000_i1092" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3046.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image063.jpg" title="CIMG3046"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image063.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3046.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_379" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_380" spid="_x0000_i1093" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chai" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image064.jpg" title="Chai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image064.jpg" alt="Chai" shapes="Picture_x0020_380" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">People celebrate Chapchar kut - Chai<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_381" spid="_x0000_i1094" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Pu HV Lalringa, Chief Secretary" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image065.jpg" title="Pu HV Lalringa, Chief Secretary"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image065.jpg" alt="Pu HV Lalringa, Chief Secretary" shapes="Picture_x0020_381" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_382" spid="_x0000_i1095" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3059.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image066.jpg" title="CIMG3059"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image066.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3059.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_382" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">H.V Lalringa, Chief Secy<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_383" spid="_x0000_i1096" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3066.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image067.jpg" title="CIMG3066"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image067.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3066.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_383" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_384" spid="_x0000_i1097" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3067.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image068.jpg" title="CIMG3067"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image068.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/CIMG3067.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_384" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_385" spid="_x0000_i1098" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0344.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:123.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image069.jpg" title="DSC_0344"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image069.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0344.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_385" border="0" height="165" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_386" spid="_x0000_i1099" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0352.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:123.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image070.jpg" title="DSC_0352"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image070.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0352.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_386" border="0" height="165" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_387" spid="_x0000_i1100" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0414.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:123.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image071.jpg" title="DSC_0414"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image071.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0414.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_387" border="0" height="165" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_388" spid="_x0000_i1101" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0391.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:123.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image072.jpg" title="DSC_0391"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image072.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0391.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_388" border="0" height="165" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_389" spid="_x0000_i1102" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Joseph & SP-i" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image073.jpg" title="Joseph & SP-i"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image073.jpg" alt="Joseph & SP-i" shapes="Picture_x0020_389" border="0" height="165" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_390" spid="_x0000_i1103" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110006.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:123.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image074.jpg" title="P3110006"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image074.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110006.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_390" border="0" height="165" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Joseph & SP-i<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_391" spid="_x0000_i1104" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Laithangpuii" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image075.jpg" title="Laithangpuii"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image075.jpg" alt="Laithangpuii" shapes="Picture_x0020_391" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_392" spid="_x0000_i1105" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110063.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image076.jpg" title="P3110063"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image076.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110063.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_392" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Laithangpuii<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_393" spid="_x0000_i1106" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chheihlam" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image077.jpg" title="Chheihlam"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image077.jpg" alt="Chheihlam" shapes="Picture_x0020_393" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_394" spid="_x0000_i1107" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Announcer - P.B.Lianthangpuii" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image078.jpg" title="Announcer - P"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image078.jpg" alt="Announcer - P.B.Lianthangpuii" shapes="Picture_x0020_394" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Announcer - P.B.Lianthangpuii<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_395" spid="_x0000_i1108" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112590.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image079.jpg" title="P3112590"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image079.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112590.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_395" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_396" spid="_x0000_i1109" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112603.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image080.jpg" title="P3112603"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image080.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112603.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_396" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bamboo Dance<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_397" spid="_x0000_i1110" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112611.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image081.jpg" title="P3112611"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image081.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112611.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_397" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_398" spid="_x0000_i1111" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112613.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image082.jpg" title="P3112613"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image082.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112613.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_398" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_423" spid="_x0000_i1112" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112623.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image083.jpg" title="P3112623"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image083.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112623.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_423" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_426" spid="_x0000_i1113" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112624.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image084.jpg" title="P3112624"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image084.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112624.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_426" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_429" spid="_x0000_i1114" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110007.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image085.jpg" title="P3110007"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image085.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110007.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_429" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_430" spid="_x0000_i1115" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110008.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image086.jpg" title="P3110008"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image086.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110008.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_430" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_431" spid="_x0000_i1116" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="CM - Zoramthanga - Kut Pa" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image087.jpg" title="CM - Zoramthanga - Kut Pa"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image087.jpg" alt="CM - Zoramthanga - Kut Pa" shapes="Picture_x0020_431" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_432" spid="_x0000_i1117" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="CM - Zoramthanga - Kut Pa" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image088.jpg" title="CM - Zoramthanga - Kut Pa"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image088.jpg" alt="CM - Zoramthanga - Kut Pa" shapes="Picture_x0020_432" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CM - Zoramthanga - Kut Pa<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_433" spid="_x0000_i1118" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="SP-i" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image089.jpg" title="SP-i"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image089.jpg" alt="SP-i" shapes="Picture_x0020_433" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_434" spid="_x0000_i1119" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Bamboo dance" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image090.jpg" title="Bamboo dance"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image090.jpg" alt="Bamboo dance" shapes="Picture_x0020_434" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SP-i<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bamboo dance<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_435" spid="_x0000_i1120" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Bamboo dance" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image091.jpg" title="Bamboo dance"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image091.jpg" alt="Bamboo dance" shapes="Picture_x0020_435" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_436" spid="_x0000_i1121" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Bamboo dance" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image092.jpg" title="Bamboo dance"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image092.jpg" alt="Bamboo dance" shapes="Picture_x0020_436" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bamboo Dance<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_437" spid="_x0000_i1122" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Felina Lalremruati" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image093.jpg" title="Felina Lalremruati"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image093.jpg" alt="Felina Lalremruati" shapes="Picture_x0020_437" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_438" spid="_x0000_i1123" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Zangtalam" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image094.jpg" title="Zangtalam"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image094.jpg" alt="Zangtalam" shapes="Picture_x0020_438" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Felina Lalremruati<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Zangtalam<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_439" spid="_x0000_i1124" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Zangtalam" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image095.jpg" title="Zangtalam"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image095.jpg" alt="Zangtalam" shapes="Picture_x0020_439" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_440" spid="_x0000_i1125" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110044.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image096.jpg" title="P3110044"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image096.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110044.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_440" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_441" spid="_x0000_i1126" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Lalruatpuii" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image097.jpg" title="Lalruatpuii"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image097.jpg" alt="Lalruatpuii" shapes="Picture_x0020_441" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_442" spid="_x0000_i1127" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="chai" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image098.jpg" title="chai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image098.jpg" alt="chai" shapes="Picture_x0020_442" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Lalruatpuii<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_443" spid="_x0000_i1128" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110049.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image099.jpg" title="P3110049"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image099.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110049.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_443" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_444" spid="_x0000_i1129" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chai" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image100.jpg" title="Chai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image100.jpg" alt="Chai" shapes="Picture_x0020_444" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_445" spid="_x0000_i1130" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chai" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image101.jpg" title="Chai"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image101.jpg" alt="Chai" shapes="Picture_x0020_445" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_446" spid="_x0000_i1131" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="LR Sailo, Director, I&PR - taking photo" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image102.jpg" title="LR Sailo, Director, I&PR - taking photo"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image102.jpg" alt="LR Sailo, Director, I&PR - taking photo" shapes="Picture_x0020_446" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">LR Sailo, Director, I&PR - taking photo<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_447" spid="_x0000_i1132" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chheihlam" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image103.jpg" title="Chheihlam"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image103.jpg" alt="Chheihlam" shapes="Picture_x0020_447" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_448" spid="_x0000_i1133" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Chheihlam" style="'width:186.75pt;height:141pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image104.jpg" title="Chheihlam"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image104.jpg" alt="Chheihlam" shapes="Picture_x0020_448" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_469" spid="_x0000_i1134" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0357.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:282pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image105.jpg" title="DSC_0357"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image105.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0357.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_469" border="0" height="376" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_470" spid="_x0000_i1135" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0373.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:282pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image106.jpg" title="DSC_0373"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image106.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0373.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_470" border="0" height="376" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_471" spid="_x0000_i1136" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0378.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:282pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image107.jpg" title="DSC_0378"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image107.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/DSC_0378.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_471" border="0" height="376" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_472" spid="_x0000_i1137" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Joseph Zaihmingthanga" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image108.jpg" title="Joseph Zaihmingthanga"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image108.jpg" alt="Joseph Zaihmingthanga" shapes="Picture_x0020_472" border="0" height="376" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Joseph Zaihmingthanga<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_473" spid="_x0000_i1138" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Johan H. Lalmalsawma" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image109.jpg" title="Johan H"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image109.jpg" alt="Johan H. Lalmalsawma" shapes="Picture_x0020_473" border="0" height="333" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_474" spid="_x0000_i1139" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110048.jpg" style="'width:186.75pt;height:249.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image110.jpg" title="P3110048"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image110.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3110048.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_474" border="0" height="333" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Johan H. Lalmalsawma<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_475" spid="_x0000_i1140" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112594.JPG" style="'width:186.75pt;height:249.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image111.jpg" title="P3112594"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image111.jpg" alt="http://www.mizoram.nic.in/about/photo/chapchar%20kut/P3112594.JPG" shapes="Picture_x0020_475" border="0" height="333" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_483" spid="_x0000_i1141" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Kungawrhi Kua -Farkawn" style="'width:186.75pt;height:126.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image112.jpg" title="Kungawrhi Kua -Farkawn"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image112.jpg" alt="Kungawrhi Kua -Farkawn" shapes="Picture_x0020_483" border="0" height="169" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kungawrhi Kua - Farkawn </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_484" spid="_x0000_i1142" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Lianchhiari lunglen tlang" style="'width:186.75pt;height:126.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image113.jpg" title="Lianchhiari lunglen tlang"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image113.jpg" alt="Lianchhiari lunglen tlang" shapes="Picture_x0020_484" border="0" height="169" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Lianchhiari lunglen tlang</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_485" spid="_x0000_i1143" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Rih Dil" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image114.jpg" title="Rih Dil"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image114.jpg" alt="Rih Dil" shapes="Picture_x0020_485" border="0" height="188" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rih dil </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_486" spid="_x0000_i1144" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Articles found in the ruins of Selesih" style="'width:186.75pt;height:140.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image115.jpg" title="Articles found in the ruins of Selesih"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image116.jpg" alt="Articles found in the ruins of Selesih" shapes="Picture_x0020_486" border="0" height="187" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Articles found in the ruins of Selesih</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_487" spid="_x0000_i1145" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Thasiama Se no neihna" style="'width:186.75pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image117.jpg" title="Thasiama Se no neihna"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image117.jpg" alt="Thasiama Se no neihna" shapes="Picture_x0020_487" border="0" height="169" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thasiama Se no neihna </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_488" spid="_x0000_i1146" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Tan tlang" style="'width:186.75pt;height:128.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image118.jpg" title="Tan tlang"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image118.jpg" alt="Tan tlang" shapes="Picture_x0020_488" border="0" height="171" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tan Tlang</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_489" spid="_x0000_i1147" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="A monument of Selesih 7000" style="'width:99pt;height:126.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image119.jpg" title="A monument of Selesih 7000"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image120.jpg" alt="A monument of Selesih 7000" shapes="Picture_x0020_489" border="0" height="169" width="132" /><!--[endif]--></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">A monument of Selesih 7000</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_588" spid="_x0000_i1148" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Durtlang church" style="'width:183pt;height:122.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image121.jpg" title="Durtlang church"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image121.jpg" alt="Durtlang church" shapes="Picture_x0020_588" border="0" height="163" width="244" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Durtlang Presbyterian Church<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_589" spid="_x0000_i1149" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Darkhuang" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image122.jpg" title="Darkhuang"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image122.jpg" alt="Darkhuang" shapes="Picture_x0020_589" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Darkhuang<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_590" spid="_x0000_i1150" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Aizawl Government College" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image123.jpg" title="Aizawl Government College"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image123.jpg" alt="Aizawl Government College" shapes="Picture_x0020_590" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl Government College <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_591" spid="_x0000_i1151" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Aizawl Theological College" style="'width:186.75pt;height:122.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image124.jpg" title="Aizawl Theological College"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image124.jpg" alt="Aizawl Theological College" shapes="Picture_x0020_591" border="0" height="163" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Aizawl Theological College<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_592" spid="_x0000_i1152" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Typical Mizo House" style="'width:183.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image125.jpg" title="Typical Mizo House"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image125.jpg" alt="Typical Mizo House" shapes="Picture_x0020_592" border="0" height="159" width="245" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Typical Mizo House<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_593" spid="_x0000_i1153" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="House" style="'width:183.75pt;height:119.25pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image126.jpg" title="House"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image126.jpg" alt="House" shapes="Picture_x0020_593" border="0" height="159" width="245" /><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">House<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_594" spid="_x0000_i1154" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Inside Zarkawt Church" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image127.jpg" title="Inside Zarkawt Church"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image127.jpg" alt="Inside Zarkawt Church" shapes="Picture_x0020_594" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Inside Zarkawt Church <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style=""> </span><span style=""><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_595" spid="_x0000_i1155" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Zarkawt Church" style="'width:186.75pt;height:119.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image128.jpg" title="Zarkawt Church"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image128.jpg" alt="Zarkawt Church" shapes="Picture_x0020_595" border="0" height="159" width="249" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Zarkawt Church<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_596" spid="_x0000_i1156" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Referral Hospital" style="'width:180.75pt;height:120pt;"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image129.jpg" title="Referral Hospital"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image129.jpg" alt="Referral Hospital" shapes="Picture_x0020_596" border="0" height="160" width="241" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style=""> </span>Site of Referral Hospital, Falkawn<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Mofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-53584445665332598602008-08-02T07:32:00.000-07:002008-08-02T07:33:48.558-07:00Meghalaya<o:p></o:p><br /><p>As per the State of Forest Report 2003, published by the Forest Survey of India, Meghalaya has a forest cover of 9,496 km², which is 42.34% of the total geographical area of the state. The Meghalayan subtropical forests have been considered among the richest botanical habitats of Asia. These forests receive abundant rainfall and support a vast variety of floral and faunal biodiversity. A small portion of the forest area in Meghalaya is under what is known as “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_grove" title="Sacred grove">sacred groves</a>” (see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_groves_of_India" title="Sacred groves of India">Sacred groves of India</a>). These are small pockets of ancient forest that have been preserved by the communities for hundreds of years due to religious and cultural beliefs. These forests are reserved for religious rituals and generally remain protected from any exploitation. These sacred groves harbour many rare plant and animal species. The Nokrek biosphere reserve and the Balaphakram National Park, both in the West Garo Hills are considered to be the most biodiversity rich sites in the Meghalaya. In addition, Meghalaya has three Wildlife Sanctuaries. These are the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, the Siju Sanctuary and the Bhagmara Sanctuary, which is also the home of the insect eating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcher_plant" title="Pitcher plant">pitcher plant</a> <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepenthes_khasiana" title="Nepenthes khasiana">Nepenthes khasiana</a></i>.</p> <p>Due to the diverse climatic and topographic conditions, Meghalayan forests support a vast floral diversity, including a large variety of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite" title="Parasite">Parasites</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphyte" title="Epiphyte">Epiphytes</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succulent_plant" title="Succulent plant">Succulent plants</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrub" title="Shrub">Shrubs</a>. Two of the most important tree varieties include: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorea_robusta" title="Shorea robusta">Shorea robusta</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sal" title="Sal">Sal</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tectona_grandis" title="Tectona grandis">Tectona grandis</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teak" title="Teak">teak</a>. Meghalaya is also the home to a large variety of fruits, vegetables, spices and medicinal plants. Meghalayan is also famous for its large variety of orchids – nearly 325 of them. Of these the largest variety is found in Mawsmai, Mawmluh and Sohrarim forests in the Khasi hills.</p> <p>Meghalaya also has a large variety of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammal" title="Mammal">mammals</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird" title="Bird">birds</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile" title="Reptile">reptiles</a> and insects. The important mammal species include <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant" title="Elephant">elephants</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear" title="Bear">bear</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civet" title="Civet">civets</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongooses" title="Mongooses">mongooses</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel" title="Weasel">weasels</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodent" title="Rodent">rodents</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaur" title="Gaur">gaur</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wild_buffalo&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Wild buffalo (page does not exist)">wild buffalo</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer" title="Deer">deer</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_boar" title="Wild boar">wild boar</a> and a number of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate" title="Primate">primates</a>, such as the Mande Burung. Meghalaya also has a large variety of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat" title="Bat">bats</a>. The limestone caves in Meghalaya, such as the Siju cave are home to some of the rarest bat species.</p> <p>The prominent bird species in Meghalaya include the Magpie-Robin, the Red-vented Bulbul, the Hill Myna is usually found in pairs or in flocks in the hill forests of Meghalaya, the Large Pied Hornbill and the Great Indian, which is the largest bird in Meghalaya. Other birds include the Peacock Pheasant, the Large Indian Parakeet, the Common Green Pigeon and the Blue Jay. Meghalaya is also home to over 250 species of butterflies, nearly a quarter of all the species found in India.</p> <p>The common reptile varieties in Meghalaya are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizard" title="Lizard">lizards</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile" title="Crocodile">crocodiles</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortoise" title="Tortoise">tortoises</a>. Meghalaya also has a number of snakes including the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythonidae" title="Pythonidae">python</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaphe_radiata" title="Elaphe radiata">Copperhead</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_Tree_Racer&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Green Tree Racer (page does not exist)">Green Tree Racer</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Cobra" title="Indian Cobra">Indian Cobra</a> the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Cobra" title="King Cobra">King Cobra</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_Snake" title="Coral Snake">Coral Snake</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viperidae" title="Viperidae">Vipers</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Earlier, foreign tourists required special permits to enter the areas that now constitute the state of Meghalaya. However, the restrictions were removed in 1955. Meghalaya is considered to be one of the most picturesque states in the country. It has enough tourism content to attract tourists of many different interests.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="Tourism_content"></a><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tourism content<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Meghalaya has some of the thickest surviving forests in the country and therefore constitutes one of the most important ecotourism circuits in the country today. The Meghalayan subtropical forests support a vast variety of flora and fauna. Meghalaya has 2 National Parks and 3 Wildlife Sanctuaries.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Meghalaya also offers many adventure tourism opportunities in the form of mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking and hiking, water sports etc. The state offers several trekking routes some of which also afford and opportunity to encounter some rare animals such as the slow loris, assorted deer and bear. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umiam_Lake" title="Umiam Lake">Umiam Lake</a> has a water sports complex with facilities such as rowboats, paddleboats, sailing boats, cruise-boats, water-scooters and speedboats.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Meghalaya has an estimated 500 natural limestone and sandstone caves spread over the entire state including most of the longest and deepest caves in the sub-continent. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krem_Liat_Prah" title="Krem Liat Prah">Krem Liat Prah</a> is the longest cave and Synrang Pamiang is the deepest cave, both located in the Jaintia Hills. Cavers from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom">United Kingdom</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany" title="Germany">Germany</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria" title="Austria">Austria</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland" title="Ireland">Ireland</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US" title="US">US</a> have been visiting Meghalaya for over a decade exploring these caves. Not many of these have however been developed or promoted adequately for major tourist destinations.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="Important_Tourist_Spots"></a><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Important Tourist Spots<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherrapunjee" title="Cherrapunjee">Cherrapunjee</a>, may well be regarded as one of the most popular tourist spots in North East of India. It lies to the south of the capital Shillong. The town is very well known and needs little publicity. A rather scenic, 50 kilometer long road, connects Cherrapunjee with Shillong.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The popular waterfalls in the state are the Elephant Falls, Shadthum Falls, Weinia falls, Bishop Falls, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nohkalikai_Falls" title="Nohkalikai Falls">Nohkalikai Falls</a>, Langshiang falls and Sweet Falls. The hot springs at Jakrem near Mawsynram are believed to have curative and medicinal properties.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Meghalaya also has many natural and manmade lakes. The Umiam Lake (popularly known as Bara Pani meaning Big water) on the Guwahati-Shillong road is a major tourism attraction for tourist. Meghalaya several parks; Thangkharang Park, the Eco-park, the Botanical Garden and Lady Hydari Park to name a few. Dawki, which is located at about 96 Kilometres from Shillong is the gateway to Bangladesh and affords a scenic view of some of the tallest mountain ranges in Meghalaya and the Bangladesh border lands.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Transport</span></h2> <p>The partition of the country has created severe infrastructure constraints for the Northeastern region, with merely 2% of the perimeter of the region adjoining the rest of the country. A narrow strip of land, often called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siliguri_Corridor" title="Siliguri Corridor">Siliguri Corridor</a>, or the Chicken's Neck connects the region with the State of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bengal" title="West Bengal">West Bengal</a>. Meghalaya is a land locked state with a large number of small settlements in remote areas. Road is the only means of transport within the state. While the capital Shillong is relatively well connected, road connectivity in most other parts of the state is relatively poor. A significant portion of the roads in the state are still un-metalled. Most of the arrivals into the Meghalaya take place through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guwahati" title="Guwahati">Guwahati</a> in neighbouring Assam, which is nearly 103 km away. Assam has a major railhead as well as an airport with regular train and air services to the rest of the country. The State still has a large number of old timber bridges.</p> <p>Meghalaya does not have any railhead. It has a small airport at Umroi, about 40 km from Shillong on the Guwahati-Shillong highway. The small size of the airport does not allow the operations of large aircraft and only small aircraft operate from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata" title="Kolkata">Kolkata</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agartala" title="Agartala">Agartala</a>, capital of the neighbouring State of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripura" title="Tripura">Tripura</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Mofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-68163517562852927622008-08-02T07:29:00.003-07:002008-08-02T07:32:28.497-07:00Manipur<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p>Manipur</p> <p>'Manipur' is considered a sensitive border state. Foreigners entering 'Manipur' (including foreign citizens born in Manipur) must possess a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreigners_%28Protected_Areas%29_Order_1958_%28India%29" title="Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order 1958 (India)">Restricted Area Permit</a> which can be obtained from the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office in the "metros" (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi" title="Delhi">Delhi</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai" title="Mumbai">Mumbai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata" title="Kolkata">Kolkata</a>) or certain other state government offices. Permits are valid for only 10 days, and visitors must travel only on tours arranged by authorised travel agents, in groups of four. Furthermore, they may come to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imphal" title="Imphal">Imphal</a> only by air and will not be permitted to travel outside the capital.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Geography<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Singda.jpg" title=""Singda-The place where the Highest Mud Dam in India is located" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_134" spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Singda-The place where the Highest Mud Dam in India is located" title=""Singda-The place where the Highest Mud Dam in India is located"" style="'width:135pt;height:101.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" title="Singda-The place where the Highest Mud Dam in India is located"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg" alt="Singda-The place where the Highest Mud Dam in India is located" shapes="Picture_x0020_134" border="0" height="135" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Singda.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_135" spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_135" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Singda-The place where the Highest Mud Dam in India is located<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Barak_River.jpg" title=""Barak River in its upper course in Manipur" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_136" spid="_x0000_i1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Barak River in its upper course in Manipur" title=""Barak River in its upper course in Manipur"" style="'width:135pt;" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg" title="Barak River in its upper course in Manipur"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image003.jpg" alt="Barak River in its upper course in Manipur" shapes="Picture_x0020_136" border="0" height="135" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Barak_River.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_137" spid="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_137" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barak_River" title="Barak River">Barak River</a> in its upper course in Manipur<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur is one of the state of the eight sister states of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_India" title="Northeast India">Northeast India</a>.The state is bounded by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagaland" title="Nagaland">Nagaland</a> in the North, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizoram" title="Mizoram">Mizoram</a> in the South, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam" title="Assam">Assam</a> in the west, and by the borders of the country <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar" title="Myanmar">Myanmar</a> in the east as well as in the south. The state capital of Manipur is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imphal" title="Imphal">Imphal</a>. The state lies at latitude of 23°83’N - 25°68’N and longitude of 93°03’E - 94°78’E. The total area covered by the state is 22,327 sq. km. The capital lies in an oval shaped valley of approximately 700 sq.miles surrounded by blue mountains and is at an elevation of 790 metres above the sea level. The slope of the valley is from north to south. The presence of the mountain ranges not only prevents the cold winds from the north to reach the valley but also acts as a barrier to the cyclonic storms originating from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Bengal" title="Bay of Bengal">Bay of Bengal</a>. Within the State of Manipur, there are two major river basins, viz. the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barak_River_Basin&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Barak River Basin (page does not exist)">Barak River Basin</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barak_Valley" title="Barak Valley">Barak Valley</a>) and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur_River_Basin&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Manipur River Basin (page does not exist)">Manipur River Basin</a>. The total water resources of the two basins have been estimated to be 1.8487 million hectare metre in the form of annual yield.The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barak_river" title="Barak river">Barak river</a>, the largest river of Manipur, originates from the northern hills and is joined by a number of tributaries such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Irang&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Irang (page does not exist)">Irang</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maku" title="Maku">Maku</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tuivai&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tuivai (page does not exist)">Tuivai</a>, etc. and thereafter enters <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cachar" title="Cachar">Cachar</a> District of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam" title="Assam">Assam</a>. The Manipur river basin has eight major rivers such as Imphal, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Iril&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Iril (page does not exist)">Iril</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nambul" title="Nambul">Nambul</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sekmai&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Sekmai (page does not exist)">Sekmai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chakpi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Chakpi (page does not exist)">Chakpi</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoubal" title="Thoubal">Thoubal</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khuga&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Khuga (page does not exist)">Khuga</a>. All these rivers originate from the surrounding hills. Almost all the rivers in the valley area are in the mature stage and, therefore, deposit the load in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loktak_lake" title="Loktak lake">Loktak lake</a>.The rivers draining the Manipur Hill Area are comparatively young due to the hilly terrain through which they flow. These rivers are corrosive in nature and assume turbulent form in rainy season. Important rivers draining the western area include Maku, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barak_River" title="Barak River">Barak River</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiri" title="Jiri">Jiri</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Irang&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Irang (page does not exist)">Irang</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leimatak&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Leimatak (page does not exist)">Leimatak</a>. Rivers draining the eastern part of the State include <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chamu&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Chamu (page does not exist)">Chamu</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khunou&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Khunou (page does not exist)">Khunou</a> and other short streams.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Physiographically, Manipur may be characterised in two distinct physical regions - an outlying area of rugged hills and narrow valleys and the inner area represents the features of flat plain topography with all associated land forms. These two areas are not only distinct in respect of physical features but are also conspicuous with regard to various floras and faunas.The valley region would have been a monotonous, featureless plain but for a number of hills and mounds rising above the flat surface. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loktak_lake" title="Loktak lake">Loktak lake</a> is an important geographic feature of the central plain area. The total area occupied by all the lakes is about 600 Sq.Km. The altitude ranges from 40m at Jiribam to as high as 2,994m at Mt.Iso Peak near Mao above MSL.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The soil cover can be divided into two broad types, viz. the red ferruginous soil in the hill area and the alluvium in the valley. The soil generally contains small rock fragments, sand and sandy clay and are of varieties. The top soil on the steep slopes are very thin. In the plain areas, especially flood plains and deltas, the soil is of considerable thickness. Soil on the steep hill slopes is subjected to high erosion resulting into formation of sheets and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullies" title="Gullies">gullies</a> and barren rock slopes. The normal pH value ranges from 5.4 to 6.8.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Climate:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The climate of Manipur is largely influenced by the topography of this hilly region which defines the geography of Manipur. Situated at an elevation of 790 meters above the sea level, the state of Manipur is wedged between hills from all sides. This north eastern corner of India is blessed with a generally amiable climate though the winters can be a little chilly.The maximum temperature recorded in the summer months of Manipur is 32 degree Celsius. In winter the mercury often falls to sub zero temperature making it frosty in the wintertime.Snowfall sometimes occurs in some hilly regions due to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Disturbance" title="Western Disturbance">Western Disturbance</a>. The coldest month in Manipur is January and July experiences the maximum summer temperature. The ideal time for tourism in the state, in terms of the climate of Manipur, is from the months of October till February, when the weather remains bright and sunny without the scorch of the sun.The hilly state is drenched in rains from the months of May and continues till the middle of October. It receives an average rainfall of 1467.5 mm, annually. However, the rain distribution varies from 933 mm in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imphal" title="Imphal">Imphal</a> to 2593 mm in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tamenglong&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tamenglong (page does not exist)">Tamenglong</a>. The downpour ranges from light drizzles to heavy showers.The normal rainfall of Manipur enriches the soil and helps in agricultural processes and irrigation. The South Westerly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsoon" title="Monsoon">Monsoon</a> picks up moisture from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_of_Bengal" title="Bay of Bengal">Bay of Bengal</a> and heads towards Manipur, hits the Eastern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Himalaya_ranges&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Himalaya ranges (page does not exist)">Himalaya ranges</a> and produces a massive amount of rain in the state.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Transportation</span></h2> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulihal_Airport" title="Tulihal Airport">Tulihal Airport</a>, the airport of Imphal, connects the state capital with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi" title="Delhi">Delhi</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcutta" title="Calcutta">Calcutta</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guwahati" title="Guwahati">Guwahati</a>. National Highway NH-39 links Manipur with the rest of the country through the railway stations at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimapur" title="Dimapur">Dimapur</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagaland" title="Nagaland">Nagaland</a> at a distance of 215 km. from Imphal. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Highway_NH-53&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Highway NH-53 (page does not exist)">Highway NH-53</a> connects Manipur with another railway station at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silchar" title="Silchar">Silchar</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam" title="Assam">Assam</a>, which is 269 km. away from Imphal. Road network of Manipur, having a length of 7170 km, connects all the important towns and far off villages.</p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Festivals of Manipur</span></h2> <p>The various festivals of Manipur are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ningol_Chakouba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Ningol Chakouba (page does not exist)">Ningol Chakouba</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaoshang" title="Yaoshang">Yaoshang</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ramjan_ID&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Ramjan ID (page does not exist)">Ramjan ID</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kut" title="Kut">Kut</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gan-ngai&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Gan-ngai (page does not exist)">Gan-ngai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chumpha&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Chumpha (page does not exist)">Chumpha</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" title="Christmas">Christmas</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cheiraoba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Cheiraoba (page does not exist)">Cheiraoba</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kang" title="Kang">Kang</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Heikru_Hidongba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Heikru Hidongba (page does not exist)">Heikru Hidongba</a>. Most of these festivals are usually celebrated on the basis of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_calendar" title="Lunar calendar">lunar calendar</a>. Almost every festival celebrated in other states is observed here and it makes Manipur a mini <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis" title="Metropolis">metropolis</a>.</p> <h3><a name="Ningol_Chakouba_.28November.29"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=26" title="Edit section: Ningol Chakouba (November)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Ningol Chakouba (November)</span></h3> <p>A social festival of the Meiteis where the women (Ningol) are invited (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chakouba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Chakouba (page does not exist)">Chakouba</a>) to a feast at their parental house along with their children. It is the festival that binds and revives the family relations between the girls married away and the parents. Nowadays other communities had also started celebrating the festivals. It is held every year during the month of November.</p> <h3><a name="Yaoshang_.28February.2FMarch.29"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=27" title="Edit section: Yaoshang (February/March)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaoshang" title="Yaoshang">Yaoshang</a> (February/March)</span></h3> <p>A riot of colours and water and the various chanting of the devotees of Lord Krishna is what you will come across during this festival. Another feature of this premiere festival is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thabal_Chongba" title="Thabal Chongba">Thabal Chongba</a> (Dancing in the Moonlight). The boys from various places will come to the site of the festival and dance with the girls by holding on to their hands and moving in circles. It is celebrated for five days starting from the full moon of Phalguna (February/March).</p> <h3><a name="Christmas_.28December.29"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=28" title="Edit section: Christmas (December)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Christmas (December)</span></h3> <p>Another community comprising of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukis" title="Kukis">Kukis</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagas" title="Nagas">Nagas</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tangkhuls&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tangkhuls (page does not exist)">Tangkhuls</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marings&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Marings (page does not exist)">Marings</a>, etc in Manipur are all <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christians" title="Christians">Christians</a> and celebrate Christmas for two days with prayers, reading of gospels, eating, singing of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hymns" title="Hymns">hymns</a>, lectures on Christ, sports etc. It is usually observed on December 24 and 25.</p> <h3><a name="Gaan-Ngai"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=29" title="Edit section: Gaan-Ngai">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Gaan-Ngai</span></h3> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gaan-Ngai&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Gaan-Ngai (page does not exist)">Gaan-Ngai</a> is the greatest festival of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zeliangrong&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Zeliangrong (page does not exist)">Zeliangrong</a> people. Its a 5 day long festival and is usually performed on the 13th day of the Meitei month of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wakching&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Wakching (page does not exist)">Wakching</a> as per the Meitei Calendar of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_year" title="Lunar year">lunar year</a>.</p> <h3><a name="Ramjan_ID"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=30" title="Edit section: Ramjan ID">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Ramjan ID</span></h3> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipuri_Muslims&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Manipuri Muslims (page does not exist)">Manipuri Muslims</a> observed this festival in the very spirits of joy and festivities as in other Muslim world. During this month the Muslims practice self denial by taking a fast, abstaining from smoke and drink from pre-dawn till sunset. After the second day of shawwal, when the new moon is visible they break fast which is also popularly known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Id-Ul-Fitre&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Id-Ul-Fitre (page does not exist)">Id-Ul-Fitre</a>. They offer prayers at the mosques, have delicious dishes, exchange greetings and call on the friends and relatives. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ramjan&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Ramjan (page does not exist)">Ramjan</a> is the ninth month of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijri" title="Hijri">Hijri</a> year.</p> <h3><a name="Cheiraoba_.28New_Year_of_Manipur.29.28Ap"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=31" title="Edit section: Cheiraoba (New Year of Manipur)(April)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Cheiraoba (New Year of Manipur)(April)</span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cheiraochingkaba.jpg" title=""Cheiraoching Kaba" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_142" spid="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Cheiraoching Kaba" title=""Cheiraoching Kaba"" style="'width:135pt;height:101.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image004.jpg" title="Cheiraoching Kaba"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image004.jpg" alt="Cheiraoching Kaba" shapes="Picture_x0020_142" border="0" height="135" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cheiraochingkaba.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_143" spid="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_143" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Cheiraoching Kaba</p> <p>The people of Manipur clean and decorate their houses and make a sumptuous variety of dishes to feast upon after offering the food to the deity on this day. After the feast, as a part of the rituals, people climb the nearest hill tops (<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cheiraoching_Kaba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Cheiraoching Kaba (page does not exist)">Cheiraoching Kaba</a></i>) in the belief that it would excel them to greater heights in their worldly life. It is observed during the month of April.</p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Indigenous games of Manipur</span></h2> <p>The indigenous games of Manipur can be classified as Outdoor and Indoor.</p> <h3><a name="Outdoor"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: Outdoor">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Outdoor</span></h3> <ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukna" title="Mukna">Mukna</a></i></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mukna_Kangjei&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Mukna Kangjei (page does not exist)">Mukna Kangjei</a></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khong_Kangjei&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Khong Kangjei (page does not exist)">Khong Kangjei</a>)</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagol_Kangjei" title="Sagol Kangjei">Sagol Kangjei</a></i> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polo" title="Polo">Polo</a>)</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yubi_Lakpi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Yubi Lakpi (page does not exist)">Yubi Lakpi</a></i> (Coconut Rugby)</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oo-Laobi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Oo-Laobi (page does not exist)">Oo-Laobi</a></i></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hiyang-Tannaba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Hiyang-Tannaba (page does not exist)">Hiyang-Tannaba</a></i></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arambai_Hunba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Arambai Hunba (page does not exist)">Arambai Hunba</a></i></li></ol> <h4><a name="Mukna_.28Manipuri_wrestling.29"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Mukna (Manipuri wrestling)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Mukna (Manipuri wrestling)</span></h4> <p>Mukna is a very popular form of wrestling. It has fundamental rules agreed by all Mukna organizations and with Royal Consent. Traditionally the game is controlled and organised by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pana_Loisang&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Pana Loisang (page does not exist)">Pana Loisang</a> of the Ruler of the state and village organizations. There are four <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Panas-Ahallup&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Panas-Ahallup (page does not exist)">Panas-Ahallup</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naharup&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Naharup (page does not exist)">Naharup</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khabam&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Khabam (page does not exist)">Khabam</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laipham&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Laipham (page does not exist)">Laipham</a> who control all fixtures and time for the games and State Meet in which Final is invariably graced by the ruler and presents the Title of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jatra" title="Jatra">Jatra</a> (Champion) for the year along with reward of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Thum_Nama&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Thum Nama (page does not exist)">Thum Nama</a> ( A ful bag of salt) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ngabong_Phi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Ngabong Phi (page does not exist)">Ngabong Phi</a> (hand made cloth of coton yarn), exemption of all state duties and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ningham_Samjin&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Ningham Samjin (page does not exist)">Ningham Samjin</a> dress (traditional).The game has two categories (1) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Takhatnabi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Takhatnabi (page does not exist)">Takhatnabi</a> (League), (2) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naitom&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Naitom (page does not exist)">Naitom</a> (Knockout). The young talents work and play all the year round with dedication for the title of '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jatra" title="Jatra">Jatra</a>' (Champion) of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukna" title="Mukna">Mukna</a> of Manipur.</p> <h4><a name="Mukna_Kangjei_.28Khong_Kangjei.29"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Mukna Kangjei (Khong Kangjei)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Mukna Kangjei (Khong Kangjei)</span></h4> <p>Mukna Kangjei is a game which combines the arts of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukna" title="Mukna">mukna</a> (wrestling) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kangjei&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Kangjei (page does not exist)">Kangjei</a> (Cane Stick) to play the ball made of seasoned bamboo roots.The origin of the game goes back well to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniconic" title="Aniconic">Aniconicworship</a>. People celebrate '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lai_Haraoba" title="Lai Haraoba">Lai Haraoba</a>' (festival to please traditional deities) and include this item to mark the end of the festival. It was believed that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khagemba_Ningthou&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Khagemba Ningthou (page does not exist)">Khagemba Ningthou</a> (King) - (1597-1652) patronised this game. In later generation, the game is organised in the villages. Presently, associations are formed in Panas with rules and regulations of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mukna_Kangjei&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Mukna Kangjei (page does not exist)">Mukna Kangjei</a>.The game is played by two teams each consisting of seven players. All players hold a natural cane stick with root, gradually increasing the size of the root, to the lenght of about seven inches to play the ball made out of seasoned bamboo roots of approximately a diameter of four inches.The players put on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mukna_Kisi_Phijet&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Mukna Kisi Phijet (page does not exist)">Mukna Kisi Phijet</a> ( dress of cloth knot) to secure protection and holding each other. At present a short pant is added below <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kisi" title="Kisi">Kisi</a> ( like cloth belt with knots).The game starts by throwing the ball in front of the panjenbas (leaders) of the two teams standing face to face to each other on the line. If possible they can pick up the ball and run. The process of running and obstructing each other to put the ball on the goal line of the ground is allowed, Pun onba (change of side) and end of the game is given by the command of the umpire. The rules for the game is known as Kangjei lon. It has improved a lot and was demonstrated during the Fifth National Games 1999 at Imphal.</p> <h4><a name="Sagol_Kangjei"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: Sagol Kangjei">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Sagol Kangjei</span></h4> <p>To Manipuris according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chaitharol-Kumbaba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Chaitharol-Kumbaba (page does not exist)">Chaitharol-Kumbaba</a>, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Chronicle_of_Manipur&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Royal Chronicle of Manipur (page does not exist)">Royal Chronicle of Manipur</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_Kangba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="King Kangba (page does not exist)">King Kangba</a> who ruled Manipur much earlier than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nongda_Lairen_Pakhangba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (page does not exist)">Nongda Lairen Pakhangba</a> (33 AD) introduced <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagol_Kangjei" title="Sagol Kangjei">Sagol Kangjei</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kangjei&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Kangjei (page does not exist)">Kangjei</a> on horse back). Further regular playing of this game commenced in 1605 during the reign of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_Khagemba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="King Khagemba (page does not exist)">King Khagemba</a> under newly framed rules of the game.The game requires perfect control of the pony, the stick and the ball with profiency of riding. The sense of 'fair Play' was the main guided factor of this game.This is played between two teams of Seven players a side. During the time of the late Sir <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chandrakirti_Singh&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Chandrakirti Singh (page does not exist)">Chandrakirti Singh</a>, K.C.S.I Maharaja of Manipur introduced regular game at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mapal_Kangjeibung&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Mapal Kangjeibung (page does not exist)">Mapal Kangjeibung</a> (now near <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tikendrajit_Park&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tikendrajit Park (page does not exist)">Tikendrajit Park</a>) on the ground of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sana-Lamjei&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Sana-Lamjei (page does not exist)">Sana-Lamjei</a> (length 160 and 80 width in dimension)being one Lamjei equal to 6 ft. The game can be played in smaller ground also if occasion demands. Earlier, there was no definite rules for foul in traditional <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagol_Kangjei" title="Sagol Kangjei">Sagol Kangjei</a>.Manipur has produced players of outstanding calibres like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jubaraj&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Jubaraj (page does not exist)">Jubaraj</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bir_Tikendraji&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Bir Tikendraji (page does not exist)">Bir Tikendraji</a> (Senapati of Manipur Army) as legendary player described by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mrs._Grimhood&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Mrs. Grimhood (page does not exist)">Mrs. Grimhood</a> (1887-90). After 1891, Manipur produced outstanding players like (L) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ojha_Tombi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Ojha Tombi (page does not exist)">Ojha Tombi</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shyamjai_Sharma&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Shyamjai Sharma (page does not exist)">Shyamjai Sharma</a> who never had the chance to play in international tournament. From the history it is an established fact and accepted that Manipur is the birthplace of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polo" title="Polo">Polo</a> of the World.</p> <h4><a name="Yubi_Lakpi"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: Yubi Lakpi">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Yubi Lakpi</span></h4> <p>Yubi (Coconut) Lakpi (capturing) is like rugby except that its an Individual game. Before the start of the game, players rub their bodies with mustard oil and water to make slippery to catch each other.A coconut properly soaked with oil is place in front of the Chief guest of the function.The players put on kisi (Langot) on an underpant properly tied in front. A senior Jatra is the umpire of the game to start and check fouls of the players. Before the start the coconut is placed in front of the seat of the Chief Guest. Official game is held on the occassion of the Yaoshang Festival of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shri_Shri_Govindajee&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Shri Shri Govindajee (page does not exist)">Shri Shri Govindajee</a> at palace ground and with Royal presence.</p> <h4><a name="Oolaobi"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: Oolaobi">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Oolaobi</span></h4> <p>Oolaobi is an outdoor game mainly played by the female. Meitei mythology believes that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UmangLai&action=edit&redlink=1" title="UmangLai (page does not exist)">UmangLai</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Heloi-Taret&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Heloi-Taret (page does not exist)">Heloi-Taret</a> (Seven dieties-seven fairies) played this game on the Courtyard of the temple of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UMANG_LAI_LAIREMBI&action=edit&redlink=1" title="UMANG LAI LAIREMBI (page does not exist)">UMANG LAI LAIREMBI</a>.Number of the participants were not fixed but are divided into two groups ( size now as per agreement). Players are divided as:- (1) Raiders (Attackers) (2) Defenders (Avoiders) Action of raider:Say "oo" without stopping as long as they can continue and try to touch the avoiders. If a raider touches an Avoider is out.This process goes on till avoiders are out or surrender.If a raider fails to say "oo" or out of breadth, Raider is out. Points are counted on the elimination of Raiders/Defenders. <b>Change of Side</b>:If Raiders are tired they declare for change. Now time limit is decided for change. The outline principles of Woo-Laobi is very much similar to that of Kabaddi in India.The ground (court) is not marked, normally the open space available within the premises of the house or temple is used for the game. This game, is very much liked by the girls and also became a source of talent in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabaddi" title="Kabaddi">Kabaddi</a>.</p> <h4><a name="Hiyang_Tannaba"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=21" title="Edit section: Hiyang Tannaba">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Hiyang Tannaba</span></h4> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Hiyangtannaba_1.jpg" title=""Hiyang Tannaba in progress" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_146" spid="_x0000_i1031" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Hiyang Tannaba in progress" title=""Hiyang Tannaba in progress"" style="'width:135pt;height:101.25pt;" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image005.jpg" title="Hiyang Tannaba in progress"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image005.jpg" alt="Hiyang Tannaba in progress" shapes="Picture_x0020_146" border="0" height="135" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Hiyangtannaba_1.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_147" spid="_x0000_i1032" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_147" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hiyang Tannaba in progress</p> <p>Hiyang Tannaba (Boat Race) : Hiyang tannaba (Hi Yangba Tannaba) is a tradinional function of the Panas. This is held during the month of November. This was introduced during the time of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ningthourel_Khunjaoba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Ningthourel Khunjaoba (page does not exist)">Ningthourel Khunjaoba</a>, the second son of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=King_Khagemba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="King Khagemba (page does not exist)">King Khagemba</a>, who dug the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangla" title="Kangla">Kangla</a> Moat around the Palace to make it impregnable in the year of 1660 after he ascended the throne in 1652.In the traditional function two boats "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tanahi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tanahi (page does not exist)">Tanahi</a>" (Race Boat) are detailed for leaders known as "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tengmai_Lappa&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tengmai Lappa (page does not exist)">Tengmai Lappa</a>". In each boat forty <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hiroys&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Hiroys (page does not exist)">Hiroys</a> (Boatsman) operate the boat.The boat which reaches the finishing line is the winner and all boatsman raise their (Nows) oars high in the air as a sign of reaching the finishing line first and thus the winner of the race is declared. The leader pays his respect to the deity and the King of Manipur.</p> <h4><a name="Arambai_Hunba"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=22" title="Edit section: Arambai Hunba">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Arambai Hunba</span></h4> <p>People of Manipur are very fond of riding horses specially those who are in the village near the breeding areas. Since the ponies are easily available , the young boys get the chance of riding ponies without saddle on horse back. Sometimes they ride horse using a rope in place of regular bridle throwing branches of small trees in place of Arambai. This pratice helped the Manipur Arambai force as a martial art which was very much required during the advance and withdrawal of forces.This art was very popular as an indigenous game of the youth of Manipur. This game is dispalyed even now , during the festival "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kwak_Jatra&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Kwak Jatra (page does not exist)">Kwak Jatra</a>" after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_Puja" title="Durga Puja">Durga Puja</a>.</p> <h3><a name="Indoor_Indigenous_Games"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=23" title="Edit section: Indoor Indigenous Games">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Indoor Indigenous Games</span></h3> <h4><a name="Kang"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=24" title="Edit section: Kang">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Kang</span></h4> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Kang.jpg" title=""Kang game" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_148" spid="_x0000_i1033" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Kang game" title=""Kang game"" style="'width:135pt;height:89.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image006.jpg" title="Kang game"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image006.jpg" alt="Kang game" shapes="Picture_x0020_148" border="0" height="119" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Kang.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_149" spid="_x0000_i1034" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_149" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kang game</p> <p>Kang is played by both male and female Meities of Manipur. Manipuris believe Kang is a game played by deity " Panthoibi". It is also believed that Manipuris began to play this game well before Vaishnavism came to Manipur.It is culturally a fine game of Manipur specially of Meiteis. It is played under a shed of building on an earth ground ( court) smoothly levelled to suit the course of the '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kang" title="Kang">Kang</a>' the target on the court. It is well marked for the respective positions of the players of both to hit the target on the court. It has rules and regulations formed by the associations to suit the occasions of the games either for tournaments or Friendly. The dignitaries of the Palace,even Queen and King also participated on social functions. In olden days '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kang" title="Kang">Kang</a>' was played during summer, starting from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cheiraoba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Cheiraoba (page does not exist)">Cheiraoba</a> (Manipur New Year) to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kang_Chingba&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Kang Chingba (page does not exist)">Kang Chingba</a>. Presently the game is played in several touranaments throughout the year, organised by the Associations. Rules and regulations have been modified to suit the improved process of the game.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Tourism</span></h2> <p>Manipur as the name suggest is a land of jewels. Manipur's culture and the present mix of the races stem from the influences of the Vaishnavism and the embedded traditional values in the region. Its rich culture excels in every aspects as in martial arts, dance, theater and sculpture. The charm of the place is the greenery with the moderate climate making it a tourists haven. The beautiful and seasonal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siroi_Lily" title="Siroi Lily">Siroi Lily</a> at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukhrul" title="Ukhrul">Ukhrul</a> (district), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sangai&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Sangai (page does not exist)">Sangai</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brow_antlered_deer" title="Brow antlered deer">Brow antlered deer</a>) and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_islands" title="Floating islands">floating islands</a> at Loktak Lake are one of the rare things found at Manipur. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polo" title="Polo">Polo</a>, which can be called a royal game, also originated from Manipur. Some of the main tourist attractions are:</p> <h3><a name="Imphal_.28Capital.29"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=34" title="Edit section: Imphal (Capital)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imphal" title="Imphal">Imphal</a> (Capital)</span></h3> <p>The city is mainly inhabited by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavites" title="Vaishnavites">Vaishnavites</a> and it is just 7 km from the airport of Manipur (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulihal_Airport" title="Tulihal Airport">Tulihal Airport</a>). The district is divided into East and West and the recently constructed sports complex (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khuman_Lampak_Sports_Complex&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Khuman Lampak Sports Complex (page does not exist)">Khuman Lampak Sports Complex</a>) is also one of the attractions comprising of every thing, from a cyclists <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velodrome" title="Velodrome">velodrome</a> to the main stadium. Most of the imported goods are sold here at its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paona_Bazar&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Paona Bazar (page does not exist)">Paona Bazar</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gambhir_Singh_Shopping_Complex&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Gambhir Singh Shopping Complex (page does not exist)">Gambhir Singh Shopping Complex</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leima_Plaza&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Leima Plaza (page does not exist)">Leima Plaza</a>.</p> <h3><a name="Keibul_Lamjao_National_Park"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=35" title="Edit section: Keibul Lamjao National Park">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Keibul Lamjao National Park</span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sangai.jpg" title=""Sangai at Keibul Lamjao National Park" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_154" spid="_x0000_i1035" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Sangai at Keibul Lamjao National Park" title=""Sangai at Keibul Lamjao National Park"" style="'width:135pt;" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image007.jpg" title="Sangai at Keibul Lamjao National Park"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image007.jpg" alt="Sangai at Keibul Lamjao National Park" shapes="Picture_x0020_154" border="0" height="125" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sangai.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_155" spid="_x0000_i1036" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_155" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sangai at Keibul Lamjao National Park</p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keibul_Lamjao_National_Park" title="Keibul Lamjao National Park">Keibul Lamjao National Park</a>, 48 km away from Imphal is an abode of, rare and endangered species of Brow Antlered deer (also known as Sangai). This ecosystem is home to 17 rare species of mammals. The greenery of the place and the moderate temperature makes a pleasant experience to visit. <a name="Loktak_Lake_.28Freshwater_Lake.29"></a></p> <h3><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=36" title="Edit section: Loktak Lake (Freshwater Lake)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Loktak Lake (Freshwater Lake)</span></h3> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loktak_Lake" title="Loktak Lake">Loktak Lake</a> is the lake where most of the people of Manipur get their share of fish meat. The special treat to watch are the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_islands" title="Floating islands">floating islands</a> popularly known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phumdi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Phumdi (page does not exist)">Phumdi</a> which is made out of the tangle of watery weeds and other plants. With a nominal fee, people can hire small boats and see this fascinating way of living on these floating islands. The wetland is swampy and is favourable for a number of species to thrive on. It is in the district of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirang" title="Moirang">Moirang</a>.</p> <h3><a name="Manipuri_Dance_.28Ras_Lila.29"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=37" title="Edit section: Manipuri Dance (Ras Lila)">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Manipuri Dance (Ras Lila)</span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ras_Lila.jpg" title=""Ras Lila" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_156" spid="_x0000_i1037" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Ras Lila" title=""Ras Lila"" style="'width:135pt;height:207.75pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image008.jpg" title="Ras Lila"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image008.jpg" alt="Ras Lila" shapes="Picture_x0020_156" border="0" height="277" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ras_Lila.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_157" spid="_x0000_i1038" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_157" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ras Lila</p> <p>A classical form of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manipuri_dance" title="Manipuri dance">Manipuri dance</a> based and inspired by the theme of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Krishna" title="Lord Krishna">Lord Krishna</a> and his beloved, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radha" title="Radha">Radha</a> love story and the devotion of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopis" title="Gopis">Gopis</a> (companions) towards <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Krishna" title="Lord Krishna">Lord Krishna</a>. This graceful and slow movement of the dance makes it one of the most acclaimed classical dances of India. The costume is elegant, as there are nicely embroidered clothes that give luster to the beauty of the art.</p> <h3><a name="Shree_Govindajee_Temple"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=38" title="Edit section: Shree Govindajee Temple">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Shree Govindajee Temple</span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Shri_Govindajee_Temple.JPG" title=""Shree Shree Govindajee Temple" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_158" spid="_x0000_i1039" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Shree Shree Govindajee Temple" title=""Shree Shree Govindajee Temple"" style="'width:135pt;height:101.25pt;" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image009.jpg" title="Shree Shree Govindajee Temple"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image009.jpg" alt="Shree Shree Govindajee Temple" shapes="Picture_x0020_158" border="0" height="135" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Shri_Govindajee_Temple.JPG" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_159" spid="_x0000_i1040" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_159" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Shree Shree Govindajee Temple</p> <p>This temple is the premiere temple in Manipur and it adjoins the palaces of the former rulers of the state. The temple is simple in design with gold domes, a paved court and a large, raised congregation hall. The deity in the center has other idols of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radha_Govinda&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Radha Govinda (page does not exist)">Radha Govinda</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaram" title="Balaram">Balaram</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna" title="Krishna">Krishna</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath" title="Jagannath">Jagannath</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balabhadra" title="Balabhadra">Balabhadra</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhadra" title="Subhadra">Subhadra</a> on either side of it.</p> <h3><a name="Chorus_Repertory_Theater"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=39" title="Edit section: Chorus Repertory Theater">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Chorus Repertory Theater</span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:The_Shrine_at_Chorus.jpg" title=""The Shrine - the main theater" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_160" spid="_x0000_i1041" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="The Shrine - the main theater" title=""The Shrine - the main theater"" style="'width:135pt;height:101.25pt;" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image010.jpg" title="The Shrine - the main theater"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image010.jpg" alt="The Shrine - the main theater" shapes="Picture_x0020_160" border="0" height="135" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:The_Shrine_at_Chorus.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_161" spid="_x0000_i1042" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_161" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Shrine - the main theater</p> <p>The auditorium of the theater is situated on the out-skirts of Imphal and the campus stretches for about two acres. It has housing and working quarters to accommodate a self-sufficiency of life. The theater association has churned out internationally acclaimed plays like <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakravyuha" title="Chakravyuha">Chakravyuha</a></i> and <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uttarpriyadashi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Uttarpriyadashi (page does not exist)">Uttarpriyadashi</a></i>. Its' 25 years of existence in theater had disciplined its performers to a world of excellence. <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakravyuha" title="Chakravyuha">Chakravyuha</a></i> taken from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mahabharat_epic&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Mahabharat epic (page does not exist)">Mahabharat epic</a> had won <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fringe_Firsts_Award&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Fringe Firsts Award (page does not exist)">Fringe Firsts Award</a>, 1987 at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edinburgh_International_Theater_Festival&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Edinburgh International Theater Festival (page does not exist)">Edinburgh International Theater Festival</a>. <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chakravyuha" title="Chakravyuha">Chakravyuha</a></i> deals with the story of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhimanyu" title="Abhimanyu">Abhimanyu</a> (son of Arjun) of his last battle and approaching death whereas <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Uttarpriyadashi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Uttarpriyadashi (page does not exist)">Uttarpriyadashi</a></i> is an 80-minute exposition of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Ashoka" title="Emperor Ashoka">Emperor Ashoka</a>'s redemption.</p> <h2><a name="Other_places_of_interest_are"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=40" title="Edit section: Other places of interest are">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Other places of interest are</span></h2> <h3><a name="War_cemeteries"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=41" title="Edit section: War cemeteries">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">War cemeteries</span></h3> <p>Commemorating the memories of the British and Indian soldiers who died during the Second World War, these cemeteries are managed by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Common_Wealth_War_Graves_Commission&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Common Wealth War Graves Commission (page does not exist)">Common Wealth War Graves Commission</a>. Serene and well maintained, the graves carry little stone markers and bronze plaques, recording the sacrifice of those gallant soldiers.</p> <h3><a name="Khonghampat_Orchidarium"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=42" title="Edit section: Khonghampat Orchidarium">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Khonghampat Orchidarium</span></h3> <p>7 km from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imphal" title="Imphal">Imphal</a>, on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Highway_No._39&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Highway No. 39 (page does not exist)">Highway No. 39</a> is the Central Orchidarium, which covers 200 acres and houses over 110 rare varieties of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchids" title="Orchids">orchids</a>, which include almost a dozen endemic species. The peak blooming season is March - April.</p> <h3><a name="Manipur_Zoological_Gardens"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=43" title="Edit section: Manipur Zoological Gardens">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Manipur Zoological Gardens</span></h3> <p>6 km to the west of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imphal" title="Imphal">Imphal</a>, at the foot of the pine growing hillocks at Iroisemba on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Imphal-Kangchup_Road&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Imphal-Kangchup Road (page does not exist)">Imphal-Kangchup Road</a> are the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoological_Gardens" title="Zoological Gardens">Zoological Gardens</a>. Not to be missed is an opportunity to see the graceful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brow_antlered_deer" title="Brow antlered deer">brow antlered deer</a> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sangai&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Sangai (page does not exist)">Sangai</a>) one of the rarest species in the world, in sylvan surroundings.</p> <h3><a name="Moirang"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=44" title="Edit section: Moirang">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Moirang</span></h3> <p>45 km from Imphal, the town is one of the main centres of early <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Meitei_folk_culture&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Meitei folk culture (page does not exist)">Meitei folk culture</a> with the ancient temple of the pre-Hindu deity <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lord_Thangjing&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Lord Thangjing (page does not exist)">Lord Thangjing</a>, situated here. In the month of May, men and women, dressed in colourful traditional costumes, sing and dance in honour of the Lord at the Moirang "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lai_Haraoba" title="Lai Haraoba">Lai Haraoba</a>" which is a ritual dance festival held each year. The town also has a special place in the history of the Indian freedom struggle. It was at Moirang that the flag of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_National_Army" title="Indian National Army">Indian National Army</a> was first unfurled on April 14, 1944.</p> <h3><a name="Loktak_Lake_and_Sendra_Island"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=45" title="Edit section: Loktak Lake and Sendra Island">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Loktak Lake and Sendra Island</span></h3> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Loktak_Lake.jpg" title=""Bird's eye view of Floating Cafe' on Loktak Lake from Sendra" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_162" spid="_x0000_i1043" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Bird's eye view of Floating Cafe' on Loktak Lake from Sendra" title=""Bird's eye view of Floating Cafe' on Loktak Lake from Sendra"" style="'width:135pt;height:86.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image011.jpg" title="Bird's eye view of Floating Cafe' on Loktak Lake from Sendra"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image011.jpg" alt="Bird's eye view of Floating Cafe' on Loktak Lake from Sendra" shapes="Picture_x0020_162" border="0" height="115" width="180" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Loktak_Lake.jpg" title=""Enlarge" "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_163" spid="_x0000_i1044" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" title=""Enlarge"" style="'width:11.25pt;height:8.25pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.gif" title="magnify-clip"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/common/images/magnify-clip.png" shapes="Picture_x0020_163" border="0" height="11" width="15" /><!--[endif]--></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bird's eye view of Floating Cafe' on Loktak Lake from Sendra</p> <p>48 km from Imphal, is the largest fresh water lake in the North East India, a veritable miniature inland sea. From the Tourist Bungalow set atop <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sendra_Island&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Sendra Island (page does not exist)">Sendra Island</a>, visitors get a bird's eye view of life on the Lake-small islands that are actually floating weed on which live the Lake people, the shimmering blue waters of the Lake, labyrinthine boat routes and colourful water plants. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sendra&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Sendra (page does not exist)">Sendra</a> Tourist Home with an attached cafeteria in the middle of the lake is an ideal tourist spot.</p> <h3><a name="Kaina"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=46" title="Edit section: Kaina">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Kaina</span></h3> <p>It is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillock" title="Hillock">hillock</a> about 921 metres above sea level and a sacred place of the Manipuri Hindus. So goes the story that one night, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shri_Govindajee&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Shri Govindajee (page does not exist)">Shri Govindajee</a> appeared in the dream of his devotee, Shri <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jai_Singh_Maharaja&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Jai Singh Maharaja (page does not exist)">Jai Singh Maharaja</a> and asked the saintly king to install in a temple, an image of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shri_Govindajee&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Shri Govindajee (page does not exist)">Shri Govindajee</a>. It was to be carved out of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_fruit" title="Jack fruit">jack fruit</a> tree, which was then growing at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaina" title="Kaina">Kaina</a>. The scenery in this place is charming and the hill shrubs and natural surroundings give the place a religious atmosphere. It is only 29 km from Imphal.</p> <h3><a name="Khongjom"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=47" title="Edit section: Khongjom">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Khongjom</span></h3> <p>36 km on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indo-Myanmar_road&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Indo-Myanmar road (page does not exist)">Indo-Myanmar road</a>, a war broke out between Manipur and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_India" title="British India">British India</a> in 1891. It is here that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Major_General_Paona_Brajabashi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Major General Paona Brajabashi (page does not exist)">Major General Paona Brajabashi</a>, one of the great warriors of Manipur proved his valor against the superior force of the invading British Army in 1891. A War Memorial has been constructed on the top of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kheba_Hill&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Kheba Hill (page does not exist)">Kheba Hill</a>.</p> <h3><a name="Tengnoupal"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=48" title="Edit section: Tengnoupal">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Tengnoupal</span></h3> <p>69 km from Imphal. The highest point on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indo-Myanmar_Road&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Indo-Myanmar Road (page does not exist)">Indo-Myanmar Road</a>, from here, you can have a full view of the valley of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar" title="Myanmar">Myanmar</a>.</p> <h3><a name="Ukhrul"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=49" title="Edit section: Ukhrul">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Ukhrul</span></h3> <p>83 km to the east of Imphal, this district headquarters of Manipur East is the highest hill station of the state. A centre of the colourful warrior tribe <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tangkhul_Nagas&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Tangkhul Nagas (page does not exist)">Tangkhul Nagas</a>, it is well developed and famous for its peculiar type of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Land-lily&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Land-lily (page does not exist)">land-lily</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Siroi&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Siroi (page does not exist)">Siroi</a>, grown in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Siroi_hills&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Siroi hills (page does not exist)">Siroi hills</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Siroi_Hills&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Siroi Hills (page does not exist)">Siroi Hills</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khangkhui_Lime_Caves&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Khangkhui Lime Caves (page does not exist)">Khangkhui Lime Caves</a> are interesting places for excursions.</p> <h3><a name="Manipur_State_Museum"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=50" title="Edit section: Manipur State Museum">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Manipur State Museum</span></h3> <p>The interesting museum near the Polo Ground in the heart of Imphal has a fairly good display of Manipur's Tribal heritage and a collection of portraits of Manipur's former rulers.</p> <h3><a name="Maibam_Lotpa_Ching"></a><span class="editsection">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manipur&action=edit&section=51" title="Edit section: Maibam Lotpa Ching">edit</a>]</span> <span class="mw-headline">Maibam Lotpa Ching</span></h3> <p>It is a hillock about 16 km from Imphal on Tiddim Road. It is a thrilling spot where a fierce battle took place between the British and the Japanese force in World War II and regarded as a holy place. There is also a monument in memory of the Japanese Martyrs who sacrificed their lives in this fierce battle.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur presents a mosaic of traditions and cultural patterns. Particularly, it is world famous for the Manipuri style of classical dance, very much distinct from other Indian dance forms. The Manipuri school of dancing whether folk, classical or modern, is devotional in nature. The rich culture and tradition of Manipur is also depicted in its handloom clothes and handicrafts. The Manipuri handloom and handicraft are world famous for its craftsmanship as well as ingenuity, colourful, colourfulness and usefulness.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a name="khamba_thoibi"></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Khamba Thoibi Dance:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />Khamba Thoibi dance is a duet of male and female partners, a dance of dedication to the sylvan deity, Thangjing of Moirang. Khamba and Thoibi are actually two mythological characters who have become immortal in Manipuri folklore. This, with the "Maibi" dance (Priestess dance) , the "Leima Jagoi" etc. form the "Laiharaoba" dance. The "Laiharaoba" dance , in many ways, is the fountainhead of the modern Manipuri dance form.This dance is a part and parcel of Moirang Lai-Haraoba. It is believed that the legendary hero - Khamba and heroine - Thoibi danced together before the Lord Thangjing, a celebrated deity of Moirang for peace and prosperity of the land. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a name="pung"></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="" border="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Pung Cholom" style="'position:absolute;margin-left:166.25pt;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image012.jpg" title="Pung Cholom"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image012.jpg" alt="Pung Cholom" shapes="_x0000_s1027" align="right" height="204" width="275" /><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Pung Cholom:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <br /> Pung or Manipuri Mridanga is the soul of Manipuri Sankritana music and Classical Manipuri Dance. It assumes an important ritual character, an indispensable part of all social and devotional ceremonies in Manipur, - the instrument itself becoming an object of veneration. Pung Cholom is performed as an invocatory number preceding the Sankirtana and Ras Lila. It is a highly refined classical dance number characterised by the modulation of sound from a soft whisper to a thunderous climax. There is the interplay of intricate rhythms and cross rhythms with varying markings of time from the slow to the quick with graceful and vigorous body movements leading to ecstatic heights. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a name="maibi"></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Maibi Dance:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />During the festival of Lai-Haraoba which is an annual ritual festival of the Meiteis, the inhabitants of the valley of Manipur, the Maibis, the priestesses considered to be spritural mediums, trace through their dances the whole concept of cosmogony of the Meitei people and describe their way of life. Beginning with the process of creation, they show the construction of houses and various occupations of the people to sustain themselves. It is a kind of re-living of the way of life of the past. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><a name="ras_leela"></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" spid="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Ras Leela" style="'position:absolute;margin-left:172.25pt;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image013.jpg" title="Ras Leela"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg" alt="Ras Leela" shapes="Picture_x0020_3" align="right" height="206" width="283" /><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ras Leela:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />The Ras Leela, the epitome of Manipuri classical dance is inter-woven through the celestial and eternal love of Radha and Krishna as has been described in the Hindu scriptures and reveals the sublime and transcendental love of Krishna and Radha and the Gopies' devotion to the Lord. It is generally performed in an enclosure in front of the temple throughout the night and watched with a deep sense of devotion. Ras performances are seasonal and varied and performed at the temple of Shree Shree Govindajee in Imphal on the nights of Basanta Purnima, Sarada Purnima and Kartik Purnima and at local temples later. As to the composition, the performance is a combination of solo, duet and group dances. This highly stylised form of dance has sublimity, subtlety and grace. The richness of the costumes gives lustre to the beauty of the art. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The tradition of sports dates back to the ancient history of Manipur - a history of small kingdoms which were in keen competition with one another. Wars among themselves and with the Aawa (the Burmese) resulted in a martial tradition which in turn gave due impetus to the development of indigenous games. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="polo"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sagol Kangjei (POLO):</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />The Manipuri Sagol Kangjei has been adopted by the International Community as Polo and is now being played worldwide. The 'PUYAS' trace it to the mythological age when the game was played by gods. The game is played with 7 players on each side mounted on ponies which are often not more than 4/5 feet in height. Each player is outfitted with a polo stick made of cane having a narrow angled wooden head fixed at the striking end. The ball, 14 inches in circumference is made of bamboo root. The mounted players hit the ball into the goal. Extremely vigorous and exhilarating, the game is now played in two styles - the PANA or original Manipuri style and the International style i.e. Polo. The ponies are also decorated fully with various guards protecting the eyes, forehead, flanks etc. The British learned the game of Sagol Kangjei in the 19th Century from Manipur after refinement it was transplanted to other countries as Polo. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="t"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thang Ta & Sarit Sarak (Manipuri Martial Arts):</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />These are the Manipuri Martial Arts, the traditions of which had been passed down over the centuries. It is a very energetic and skillful art and is a way to hone one's battlecraft during the peace time in the olden days when every Manipuri was a warrior who is required to serve his country at the time of war. Long and precise practices is required and only the brave and athletic could excel. The art as seen today observes elaborate rituals and rules which are strictly followed by the participants. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="y"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yubi Lakpi (Manipuri Style Rugby):</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />"Yubi" is the Manipuri word for coconut and "Lakpi" for snatching. Played on the beautiful green turf of the palace ground, or at the Bijoy Govinda Temple Ground. Each side has 7 players in a field that is about 45 x 18 metres in area. One end of the field has a rectangular box 4.5 x 3 mtrs. One side of which forms the central portion of the goal line. To score a goal a player has to approach the goal from the front with his oiled coconut and pass the goal line. The coconut serves the purpose of a ball and is offered to the king or the judges who sit just beyond the goal line. However, in ancient times the teams were not equally matched but the players, with the coconut had to tackle all the rest of the players. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="h"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hiyang Tanaba (Boat Race):</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />It is generally held in the month of November at Thangapat (a long man-made stretch of water). The boats called Hiyang Hiren is regarded to be invested with spiritual powers and the game is associated with religious rites. The Meiteis believe that worship of the Hiyang Hiren will negate evil omens. The rowers don traditional dresses and head gears. The game is also conducted during the times of natural calamity. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="m"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Mukna (Manipuri Wrestling):</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />This game is the Manipuri style of wrestling played between two male rivals for trial of strength by sheer physical strength and skill. Athletes of the same or approximately the same physical built weight and, age are made rivals. The game is an absolute must for the closing ceremonies of the Lai Haraoba festival. Mukna is a highly popular and prestigious game. In the olden days the game enjoyed royal patronage.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur is a land of festivities, merriments and mirths all the year round. A year in Manipur Presents a cycle of festivals. Hardly a month passes without a festival or two. To the manipuris, festivals are the symbols of their cultural, social and religious aspirations which, besides removing the monotony of life by providing physical diversions, mental recreation and emotional outlet, help them lead a better and fuller life. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="n"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ningol Chakouba - the social festival of Manipuris :</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />It is a remarkable social festival of the Meiteis. Married women of the family who were married to distant places come to the parental house along with her children and enjoy sumptuous feast. It is a form of family rejoinder to revive familial affection. The festival is also observed by the Pangals (Manipuri Muslims) to a certain extent now-a-days. It is observed on the second day of the new moon in the Manipuri month of Hiyangei(November). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yaoshang - The premier festival of Manipur Hindus :</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />Celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna (february/March), Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur. The Thabal Chongba - a kind of Manipuri folk dance, where boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle, is particularly associated with this festival. Boys and girls and old women collect donations from house to house and the money so collected is spent in a number of parties and feast. Indeed, Yaosang to Manipur is what Durga Puja is to Bengal, Diwali in north India and Bihu to Assam. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="c"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Cheiraoba - The Manipur NewYear:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />During the festival, people clean and decorate their houses and prepare special festive dishes which are first offered to various deities. Celebrated during the month of April, a part of the ritual entails villagers climbing the nearest hill tops in belief that it will enable them to rise to greater heights in their worldly life. The Pangals (Manipuri Muslims) also observe it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur is not only the gateway to the North-Eastern India but also a fascinating destination for discerning tourists. Legend says that the discovery of Manipur is the result of the delight the Gods took in dancing. It is this remarkable bid that gives Manipur a unique identity of her own. Blessed with a salubrious climate, famous for its distinctive cultural pattern and its evergreen scenic beauty, Manipur always extends a cordial invitation to the tourists... <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="l"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Loktak Lake and Sendra Island:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />48 km. from Imphal. A huge and beautiful stretch of water, this lake is like a miniature inland sea. From the Tourist Bungalow, set atop Sendra island, visitors can get a bird's eye view of the lake and the life on it, the fisherman and their families who live in neat huts on its shores and who make full use of their watery environment. They cast their nets on it, rear fish farms in it using nets as floating walls, harvest it for the water chestnut known as Heikak, and even build their houses on the islands of floating weed that dart around the lake. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="" border="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_4" spid="_x0000_s1029" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Govindajee Temple" style="'position:absolute;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image014.jpg" title="Govindajee Temple"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image014.jpg" alt="Govindajee Temple" shapes="Picture_x0020_4" align="right" height="150" hspace="20" width="200" /><!--[endif]--><a name="g"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Shree Shree Govindajee Temple:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <br /> This temple adjoining the palace of the former rulers of Manipur, is a historic centre for Vaisnavites. It is a simple and beautiful structure with gold domes, a paved court and a large, raised congregation hall. The presiding deity in the centre is flanked by idols of Radha Govinda, Balaram and Krishna on one side and Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the other. <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(187, 187, 187);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="k"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Keibul Lamjao National Park:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />53 kms. from Imphal and on the fringes of Loktak Lake, this is the last natural habitat of the endangered marsh-dwelling brow-antlered deer of Manipur called "Sangai". The scientific name of this deer is "Cervus eldi eldi". The uniqueness of this particular park is that it is the only floating national park in the world and the deer is also found nowhere else on earth. The park is composed of large masses of floating weed (called "Phumdi" in local dialect). Geographically the floating biomass (phumdi) encompasses an area of about 42 sq. km.The thickness of the biomass is from 0.5 to 1.5 metres. These phumdi unseemingly can suport a lot of weight. In fact, migratory fishermen bulid houses on these floating islands of weed that float around the lake. I myself have visited some of these houses (huts, to be more precise). It was quite an experience, really. Imagine going to sleep at night in one part of the lake and waking up the next morning in a different part of the lake! <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b>D</b>escribed by Lord Irwin as the 'Switzerland of India', Manipur boasts of an exotic landscape with gently undulating hills, emerald green valleys, blue lakes and dense forests. It is the sheer tranquility enveloping it, interrupted only by a soft breeze that sets it apart from the other northeastern states, and makes it the ideal getaway. Manipur, literally meaning the land of jewel, is a paradise on earth when Mother Nature has been extra generous in her beauty. And from the very inception, this princely state of Manipur has always been a shinning outpost of the country in the sparse of the eastern Himalayas.<br /><br />Manipur is a part of India both from the point of view of geography and culture. It never lost its basic link with the mainstream of the Indian culture. The culture of Manipur has been a part of Indian culture. It accepted aspects of Indian culture and transmitted them to Burma, China and other lands of East Asia. On political grounds Manipur can hardly be separated from India. We find the invaders from Cachar, Tripura, etc., during the successive periods of it's history. The religious movement of Manipur in the 18th century conveys the spirit of universality and strengthen the bounds of unity. It asserts that Manipur is a<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">The Arjuna and Chitrangada Story</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In the <b>Mahabharata, </b>and <b>Dharani Sanghita</b>, Manipur is mentioned as the meeting place of <b>Arjuna</b>, the third <i>pandava</i> and <b>Chitrangada</b>, the crown Princess of Manipur. <i>Prachin Manipurer Itihas by Shri Mahendra kumar Singh </i> States that this place, with a bay like Lake Logtak in the centre surrounded by hill -bounded plain land, was the kingdom of Chitra Bahana, a Gandharva king as par the epic Mahabharata. According to Mahabharata, his daughter Chitrangada( or Chitranggoda) attracted to Arjuna from hastinapura and got herself married to him. Babhrubahana is the son of Chitrangada, belonged to Kshatrya of Chandra Bangsa, ruled Manipur after Chitrabahana. </span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(12)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 91%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="91%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 139.5pt;"> <td rowspan="2" style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 67%; height: 139.5pt;" width="67%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" spid="_x0000_i1057" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/dharani_songhita.jpg" style="'width:240.75pt;height:162pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image015.jpg" title="dharani_songhita"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image015.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/dharani_songhita.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_1" border="0" height="216" width="321" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33%; height: 139.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="33%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: maroon;">Dharani Sanghita ( part 4, Narad-Janmejoy sambad)<b> </b>States that Manipur or Mekholy was the meeting place of Arjuna, the third Pandava and Chitrangoda , the crown princess of Manipur. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 0.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 33%; height: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom" width="33%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Besides, there are numerous genealogy prevailing in Manipur relating the lands as reclaimed from water by Lord Siva’s <i>Trisul</i>, while another lined makes it the place illuminated by the jewel on the crown of <i>Shesh Nag </i>for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to play Rasleela <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 94%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="94%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 84.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 35%; height: 84.75pt;" valign="bottom" width="35%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: maroon;">The evidences of KurmaPurana show that Chitrangada pleases Lord Siva through her worship. And the place where she worshiped Lord Siva, became a holy place where Vyasa himself paid a visit.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td rowspan="2" style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 65%; height: 84.75pt;" width="65%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/Quote.jpg" style="'position:absolute;" allowoverlap="f"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image016.jpg" title="Quote"> <w:wrap type="square" anchory="line"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image016.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/Quote.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_2" align="right" height="175" width="320" /><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 0.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 35%; height: 0.75pt;" valign="bottom" width="35%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">after sunset. Spurred by the example of Lord <i>Krishna</i> and <i>Srimati Radhika</i> immersed in Rasleela, their privacy guaranteed by Lord Siva as the gatekeeper, Goddess Parvati had requested Lord Siva dance with her.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(13)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />Apart from folk stories and legends, there is historical evidences of some Aryan migration in the valley took part in the remote past. The myth and lore of Manipur refers to the supreme deity or <i>Dau Seidaba</i> rubbing hands to create from the Gods and Goddesses the human being to people the new land Manipur.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/#top"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" spid="_x0000_i1062" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" style="'width:15pt;height:15pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" shapes="Picture_x0020_6" border="0" height="20" width="20" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span><a name="m&m"></a><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">Mahabharata, Manipur and the Meiteis</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />Meitei Scholars like Pandit Atombapu Sharma, W.Yamjao Singh hold that the origin of the Meiteis can be traced to the Aryan. According to them, the Meiteis are the descendants of group of people coming from Mithila (Videha) which is the eastern frontier of Aryan culture for a long time. </span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(14)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The word Meithei derives its name from mithila. Atombapu Sharma developed his theory on geographical, Astronomical and philological grounds in his writings. Both of them have shown that Meitei language is derived from Sankrit and its grammer is based on Sanskrit. Here are some extracts regarding the relation between Sanskrit and Meitei language, as stated by W. Yamjao Singh in his work, An Early History of Manipur, 1966, page 57 - <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Goloka - <i>Korou</i>, Heaven<br />Shylak - <i>Shelou</i>, brother in law<br />Palak - <i>Phalou</i>, protecter<br />Shringa - <i>Ching</i>, mountain<br />Nithakur - <i>Ningthou</i>, king<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">R.K. Jhaljit Singha says that "<i>.. Chitrangada, the princess of the kingdom. She was of the complexion of a madhuka flower i.e, mahua flower. A mahua flower is of golden colour. Chitrangada was of golden complexion. This suggests that she might be Mongoloid descent</i>".<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 79%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="79%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: navy;">According to them, the meiteis are the descendants of group of people coming from Mithila (Videha) which is the eastern frontier of Aryan culture for a long time. The word Meithei derives its name from Mithila. </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">However, sir G. A. Grierson, E.T. Dalton and T. C. Hudson holds that the Meiteis and their language is affiliated to kuki chin group of Tibeto-Burman family. According to Dr.M. Kirti Singh, "<i>to say that the earliest form of Meitei language has been developed out of Sanskrit is a hypothesis which at the moment cannot be proved or unproved".</i> </span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(15)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br /> </span><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/#top"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_10" spid="_x0000_i1066" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" style="'width:15pt;height:15pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" shapes="Picture_x0020_10" border="0" height="20" width="20" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span><a name="m&b"></a><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">Mahabharata, Manipur and the Bishnupriya Manipuris</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />On the other hand Bishnupriya Scholars like Shri Mahendra Kumar Singha, Pandit Sena Singha and some other history writers hold that Babhrubahana and his descendents comprising of many other colonies of Indo-Aryan Stock are called Bishnupriya, speaking a language of Indo-Aryan language. According to them, They are worshippers of Vishnu and Lord Vishnu was installed by Babhrubahana from Hastinapura. Their view is that, Meiteis and Meitei language is of kuki-chin origin and a kuki-chin group language group cannot be related with the people and language of epic Mahabharata.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(16)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 79%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="79%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: navy;">They hold that BPM is highly influenced by the Sanskrit and Maharastri as well as Sauraseni Prakrits that is colloquial language of the soldiers and the people of Kuru Panchaya and Mathsadesh including Hastina Indraprastha</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Shri Jagat Mohan Singha and Sri Birendra Singha developed the theory on observation of morphology, vocables and phonology of Bishnupriya Manipuri (BPM) language. They hold that BPM is highly influenced by the Sanskrit and Maharastri as well as Sauraseni Prakrits.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(17)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Sauraseni Prakrit colloquial language of the soldiers and the people of Kuru Panchaya and Mathsadesh including Hastina Indraprastha etc. All the characteristics of Mahararstri and Sauraseni Prakrits are exactly found in the BPM. For example, the verbal forms change following number, gender or the subjects in Bishnupriya Manipuri as visible in the Vedic, Pali and Prakrit language - <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Singular</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />1st person - Mi Jauriga ( I am going )<br />2nd Person - Ti Jarga ( You go )<br />3rd person - Ta Jarga ( He goes ), Ta Jakga ( he may go )<br /><b><u><br />Plural<br /></u></b>1st person - Ami Jiarga ( We are going )<br />2nd Person - Tumi Jaraiga ( You go )<br />3rd person - Tanu Jitaraga ( They go ) , Tanu Jakaga ( They may go )</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">W.Shaw and Raj Mohan Nath , two eminent scholars are of the view that " Bishnupriya " with its Devanagari script had been language of ancient Manipur.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(18)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> On the other hand, some other Bishnupriya Scholars like Dr. K.P. Sinha has objected to claim of Manipur to the alleged connection of Hindu legend. Dr. Sinha tried to prove his theory on the basis that Bishnupriya Manipuri language as a resultant language of <i>Magadhi Prakrit</i>.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(19)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> According to him the origin of a language is to be inferred not from the history of the people; the origin of a community and the origin of their language do not necessarily go together.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/#top"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_14" spid="_x0000_i1070" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" style="'width:15pt;height:15pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" shapes="Picture_x0020_14" border="0" height="20" width="20" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="mahabharat"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;"><br /></span></b></a><span style=""></span><a name="wpmte"></a><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">Whether The Present Manipur is that of the Epic</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;"><br /><br /></span></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: green;">References of Manipur in the Ramayana<br /></span></u></b><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;"><br /></span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The name “Manipura” never occurs in the Ramayana, the earliest extant Epic of India . In Kiskindhya Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana there are certain stanzas which may be interpreted with some sort of imagination as stating the areas in and around Manipur . The direction of the serch party of monkeys was given by Sugriva with references to the Kiratas, the inhabitants of Manipur.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(20)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: green;">References of Manipur in the Mahabharata<br /></span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />The Mahabharata is said to have been written by Sage Vyasa sometime between 400 B.C. and 200 A.D. The word <i>Maha</i> in Sanskrit is an adjective that means something that is great or extraordinary and <i>Bharata</i> is India, but this Epic is about much more than just India. It transcends culture and religion and at the very core of the ancient storyline lies a simple<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 79%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="79%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: navy;">..it is a story of good versus evil, of families in turmoil, of jealousy and betrayal and at the heart of it all, a fight for the truth. Though they are mixed with a lot of fiction, all the incidents in the Mahabharata have a historical value</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> theme that all of mankind can relate too. It is a story of good versus evil, of families in turmoil, of jealousy and betrayal and at the heart of it all, a fight for the truth.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(21) </span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Though they are mixed with a lot of fiction, all the incidents in the Mahabharata have a historical value. In Mahabharata, there is reference to Manipur in at least four different places - <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">(1) The first reference to Manipur is in the Adi Parva on the occasion of Arjuna going from Hiranyavindu to see the astern region. After seeing the Mahendra Mountains, he proceeded slowly along the coast, reached Manipur and married Chitrangoda, the princess.<br /><br />(2) The second reference is in Ashwamedha Parva in connection with the roaming of the sacrificial (<i>Ashwamedha Yogya</i>) horse guarded by Arjuna and the eventual fight between him and his son Babhrubahana, the king of Manipur. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">(3) The third reference of Manipur in Mahabharata, is in the Ashwamedha Parva once again. Arjuna sent a message to Krishna to inform Yudhisthira that Babhrubahana, king of Manipur, would attend the horse-sacrifice. Then Babhrubahana arrived in Hastinapura with Chitrangoda and Ulupi and they were received with honor and affection.<br /><br />(4) The forth reference is in Mahaprasthanic Parva. The five brother and Droupadi left the capital to leave India for good and reach heaven in flesh and blood. Ther were followd by a dog. Subhadra remained in Hastinapura, but Chtrangoda returned to Manipura city. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: green;">The First Refernce</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We read in the Bhagavata-purana the Adi parva and Asva-medha parva of the Mahabharata how Vyasa referred to it in the Epic.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(22)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> The first is in Adi Parva on the occasion of Arjuna going from Anga, Vanga and Kalinga to see the eastern region . In Manipur he approached King Chitravahana with a request for the marriage of Chitrangada . The proposal prevailed on the condition that Chitrangada’s son would be given to Chitravahana . He was without any male issue to succeed him . Arjuna stayed in Manipur for three years and begot a son called Vabhrubahana who became king of Manipur .</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(23)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As regards the the second reference on Asvamedha sacrifice, we are told that the horse entered Manipur from Sindhu. Arjuna was defeated and killed by his son, Vabhruvahana . He was restored to life by Ulupi, the daughter of the Naga chief, whom Arjuna had married before the marriage of Chitrangada.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(24)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: green;">The Second Reference </span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">R.K. Jhalajit Singh </span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(25) </span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">analyzed the second reference in the following manner - after the battle, the horse, having roamed over the <i>" whole earth bounded by the ocean", </i>turned his face towards Hastinapura and the return journey began. Arjuna as before followed the horse. On the return journey, the horse came to Rajagriha, the capital city of Magadha.<br />What does the above account prove ? What is the meaning of <i>" whole earth bounded by the ocean"</i>? Evidently the horse did not roam over the whole earth as it is known to us today. He simply roamed all over India as known to the Indo-Aryans of those days. So, <i>" whole earth bounded by the ocean"</i> simply means India. <br />Let us take one instance. After the horse sacrifice , Yudhisthiira gave<i>" the whole earth"</i> to Vyasa as largesse( Dakshina). Evidently, Yudhisthira could give those areas now covered by say, South America, Africa, or Newziland. By the word <i>" the whole earth" , </i>he meant India as known to him. Yudhisthira could give this as it was already traversed by the horse and conquered by Arjuna.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 79%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="79%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: navy;">Evidently the horse did not roam over the whole earth as it is known to us today. He simply roamed all over India as known to the Indo-Aryans of those days. So, " whole earth bounded by the ocean" simply means India</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">By referring to the sacrificial horse after reaching Manipur as <i>" having roamed over the whole earth bounded by the ocean", </i> the author of the epic simply means that on reaching Manipur, the horse had come to the frontier of India. That this frontier was the western frontier will be clear next from the incident narrated in the epic. While returning to Hastinapura ( near Modern Delhi) from Manipura, the horse passed through Rajgriha (Modern Rajgir near Patna). This can happen if, and only if, Manipur lies to the east of Patna. In plain language, Manipura was on the eastern frontier of India. The Manipur of today is the Manipura of Mahabharata.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Look at a physical map of Asia.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(26)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> It will be seen that India before the British conquest was marked out from the rest of Asia by nature by hills and mountains and the seas. On the north are the Himalayas. At the western extremity of Himalayas, ranges of hills emerges from them and reach the Arabian sea or the western seas ancient Indians call it. From the eastern extremity of Himalayas also, ranges of hills emerge and reach the bay of Bengal or the eastern sea as the ancient Indians called it. So the Western Sea, the western arm of the Himalayas, the Himalayas, the eastern arm of the Himalayas and the Eastern sea formed, broadly speaking, the boundary this India, on its eastern frontier of India in ancient and medieval times.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: green;">Earlier references to Manipuri and its civilization</span></u></b><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(27)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There was a regular trade-route by land from China via Manipur, upper India to Afganistan and thence to Europe. Col Gerini in his Researches on Ptolemy’s geography says “According to Burmese Royal Chronicles (Maharaja Vamsa) Dhajaraja, a king of Sakya race, settled of Manipur, about 550 B.C. and later on conquered, Tagaung old or upper Pagan.”</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(28)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> G.E. Harvey in his History of Burma lay inaecessible, true, it was nearer to China which from the second century B.C. used trade routes through Burma .” A footnote thereto runs thus, “Two were along the Irrawaddy and Salwen River , the third down the Chindwin River and through Manipur took Caravans a three months, journey to Afganistan where the skills of China were exchanged for the gold of Europe .”</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(29)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> A . Phayre describes the route in his History of Burma . “The route by which Kshatriya princes arrived (in Burma) is indicated in the traditions as being through Manipur which lies within the basin of Irrawaddy .”</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(30)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">According to the Chinese texts, the Indian influence exerted since the second century B.C. in the mountainous regions of Upper Valleys of the Chindwin, the Irawaddy, the Salwen, the Mekong and the Red River as far as Yunnan, which was known by its Indian name, Gandhara . It persists for 13 centuries . There are Chinese names of these several kingdoms.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(31) </span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">D.G.E. Hall refers to aroad connecting Lower Burma with India via the bank of the Irawaddy, the bank of the Chindwin and Manipur.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(32)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> There are four pieces of coins collected by Yumjao Singh from which we may draw ther trade relationship between Manipur and India in the early period. The account of Hiuen-Tsang and Kamakhyatantra contain references to Manipur as a part of Kamarupa .</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(33)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> From these facts we knowthat Manipur was an ancient kingdom and there were commercial and cultural contacts between Manipur and Burma, China, etc., through these passes. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: green;"><br />Hindu Dynasties in Upper Burma<br /><br /></span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If we also go back to historical evidences we shall have to see the root of establishment of Hindu dynasties in upper Burma. All the Hindu dynasties settled in upper Burma had to come across Manipur from the western and Northern India by road as Manipur was only the gateway of Far-East. </span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(34)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The beauty of the land Manipur, lake Logtak and its surrounding areas also might have attracted them and some of them settled there and reigned there for years together.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 79%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="79%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: navy;">All the Hindu dynasties settled in upper Burma had to come across Manipur from the western and Northern India by road as Manipur was only the gateway of Far-East. </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Now let us analyze the process of Aryan migration in Manipur. The land was known to the rest of world from ancient times. Panini, who lived in the 4th century B.C., mentions in his famous grammar a good number of places in India. Among the names so mentioned in Surmasa, which is identified as the valley of Surma. The valley of Surma is, as it were, the western gate of Manipur. The Valley of Surma or the Barak comes right upto the western fringe of Manipur. Between Sylhet and the western fringe of Manipur, there is no <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 81%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="81%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: navy;">Once the Aryans reached there, it was easy for them to reach the Manipur Valley, for this valley was on an international route connecting the Gangetic valley with Burma and beyond. The route connecting the western bend of the Barak with Torbung in the Manipur valley was the easiest. </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">impediment such as hills, forests, big rivers or wide deserts. Once the Indo-Aryans reached Sylhet, they reached the western border of Manipur in a matter of decades. Once they reached there, it was easy for them to reach the Manipur Valley, for this valley was on an international route connecting the Gangetic valley with Burma and beyond. The route connecting the western bend of the Barak with Torbung in the Manipur valley was the easiest. It was wide enough to allow the passage of elephants.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(35)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br /><b><u><span style="color: green;">Aryan Migration and Influence in Manipur<br /></span></u></b><br />Let us observe some historical keynotes on the origin of Manipuris and their migration, settlements and cultural penetration in the land of Manipur -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Chanting <b>'</b>Omkar', Sannskrit language, now obsolete, and Vedic rituals were prevailing in Manipur. As such the race of people inhabiting Manipur was distinctly Aryan" ( </span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">English translation from original Meitei)<br />Meitei Puran <i>Bijoy Panchali </i>Edited by L. Mani singh and Shri Mangi Singh / part II Page 138). </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"By degrees, the Meiteis became dominant and that name was applied to the entire colony. now that they claim to be Hindu decent. It is highly probable that these hordes overrun a country( Manipur) that has been previously occupied by the people of Aryan blood known in the western India and to the Bards."</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />E.T. Dalton, Descriptive Ethnology of Bengal, 1872, page 48, 49 .</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"<i>Thus from the erliest time Manipur was a Brahminical kingdom and was learned well enough, their fame in astrology teaches us as far as the distinct part of China"</i><br /> W. Yamjao sing, An Early History Of Manipur, Page-23.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"Although the general facial characteristics of the Mannipurie are of Mongolian type, there is great diversity of fetures among them, some of them showing regularly approaching the aryan type"</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">.<br /> Dr. R. Brown, Imperial hazetteer of India, 1908, Vol xvii , page 126.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">" <i>The valley was originally occupied by several tribes principals were Khumal, Luwang, Moirang and Meitai all of whom came from different quarters of whom khumals are the most powerful and after them the Moirangs but ultimately the Meitais subdued them and form them into a single people."<br /></i>Assam District gazeteer, Part -IX by V.C Elen, page 11.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">" <i>It was 33 A.D. that written language really began among the clans of Manipur specially among the Luwangs, Angoms, Khumals and the </i>Moirangs"<br />Dr. M. Kiriti singh,Religious development in Manipur in 28th and 19th century, page-25. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <i>" In the collection of coins there are a few pieces of the 2nd century A.D. of the Christian era, its legend is in the Devanagari scripts"<br /></i> W. Yamjao sing, An Early History Of Manipur, Page-127.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">" Hinduism is of comparatively recent origin though the records of the Brahmin families claim in some cases that founder of family settled in the valley at so remote a date as the middle of 15th century"<br /> </span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">T.C. Hudson, The Meitheis, 1903,page 69.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"<i>The people (Manipuris) are known to the Burmese as Ponnas that is Brahmanas."<br /></i>Sir G. A. greorson<br />Lingustic Survey of India, Part III, vol III</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"<i>The Chinese record of the 2nd century A.D. - as stated by Pelliot mentions the existance of great -Brahmins in Manipurt and small Brahmins in Hukong vally</i>"<br />R.M. Nath, The Background of Assamese Culture<br />Page 86, 2nd edn, 1978. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The land Manipur was formerly divided into small territories occupied by different clans of peoples, namely, the Khumals, the Moirangs, The Angoms, The Luwangs, the Ningthoujas, etc. The territories were after the names of the respective clans and they lived side by side in Manipur for centuries. In course of time the Meiteis occupied all the territories towards 15<sup>th</sup> century AD and established a sovereign kingdom known as ‘ Meitei –Leipak’ ( the land of Meiteis). G. E.Geraini, in his work,<i> Researches on Ptolemy's Geography</i>, States that " <b>Bishnupur</b> was the ancient capital of Manipur and Imphal locally known as kangla or kangleipak was the capital of the Meitei Leipak of the later period which finds mentioned in the Meitei purana, i.e. Bijoy panchalee." So, Imphal come into existence in much later period than that of the city of Bishnupur as stated by Prof. Padmanath Battacharjee.<span style="color: white;"> </span></span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(36)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />If we talk of the history in respect of the Aryan population, their migration, settlements and cultural penetration and the development of political institutions in Manipur Valley, there are a little source of information's about this. Ancient temples like the Vishnu temple of Bishnupur, Govindajiew temple in imphal, the Kohima stone, old palaces and other related buildings etc. supply us little more historical information's.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(37)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Furthermore, the establishment of an indo-Aryanstate in the remote period in Manipur in indicated by Geraini, <i>" From the Brahmaputra and Manipur to the tonkin gulf, we can trace a continuous string of petty states ruled by those scions of the ksatriyo race, using the sanskrit or pali language in official documents and inscriptions, buildings, temples and monuments of old Hindu style and employing Brahmin priests at the propitiatory ceremonies connected with the court, and the state"</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 84%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="84%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: navy;">If we talk of the history migration, settlements and cultural penetration and the development of political institutions in Manipur Valley, there are a little source of information's. Ancient temples like the Vishnu temple of Bishnupur, Govindajiew temple in imphal, the Kohima stone, old palaces and other related buildings etc. supply us little more historical information's </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: green;" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Moreover, the geographical location of the Manipur Valley gives it a partial isolation from the mainland for a long period in the past. It was only after the advent of the Aryans in the valley ages ago, it adopted open door policy to all and soon it became a part and percale in the Indian panorama.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: green;">Whether The Present Manipur is that of the Epic<br /></span></u></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />A brief resume of the views and reasons of the above scholars proves the following things -<br /><br />(1) Manipur as a part of India was of immemorial antiquity, The extent of the country is different but the country remains the same .</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(38)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />(2) The Route by which Arjuna came to Manipur must be the course of the Surma or Barak river . This was the only hill-route connecting Manipur Valley with Surma Valley till the opening of the motorable Imphal- Dimapur road in the 20<sup>th</sup> century. We read of the Brahmans and other immigrants coming in large number for settlement in Manipur in historical times.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(39)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />(3) If Arjuna returened from Manipur to Hastina and halted at Rajagriha we may infer that Patna and Manipur are on the same latitude.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(40)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">(4) There is a living popuar tradition in present Manipur that it represents the old kingdom mentioned in the Mahabharata as the birth place of Chitrangada and Vabruvahana . No such tradition exist in any part of Orissa and no memory of a locality named Manalur In some manuscripts of the Mahabharata as well as in the Adi Parva the name is written as Manular instead of Manipur) has survived .</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(41)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br />(5) The antiquity of Manipur is proved not only by the variant reading in the Mahabharata Manuseripts but also by unambiguous references in the Puranas , Thus Bhavishya-Purana (Brahmakhanda) mentions it along with Lauhitya, Traipura(Tripura) and Jayanta<br />(Jaintia Hills) .”</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(42)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/#top"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_26" spid="_x0000_i1082" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" style="'width:15pt;height:15pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" shapes="Picture_x0020_26" border="0" height="20" width="20" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="ppl"></a><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">People and Culture </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br />The people are simple and happy. They speak sweet words. The place is the land of diverse origins, but of a unique culture. Here different ethnic groups of people are living together for centuries with peace and harmony. Majority people of the State are the Meiteis. Other people of present Manipur include Bishnupriya Manipuris, Naga, Meitei Pangal and other colourful communities which have lived together in complete harmony for centuries. These are the people whose folklore, myths & legends, dances, indigenous games and martial arts, exotic handlooms & handicrafts are infested with the mystique of nature. The Hill tribes of Manipur although divided into a number of clans and sections, maybe grouped under the two divisions -<i>Naga</i>'s and <i>Kuki</i>'s.Manipur is a mosaic of traditions and cultural patterns, best represented by its dance forms. The <i>Lai-Haraoba</i>, a traditional stylized dance is ritual dance for appeasing gods and goddesses. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 77%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="77%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 203.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%; height: 203.25pt;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 0.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%; height: 0.75pt;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="80%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 0.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%; height: 0.75pt;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: maroon;">It is said that when Krishna, Radha and the Gopies danced the Ras Leela, Shiva made sure that no one disturbed the beauty of the dancing. Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva also wished to see this dance, so to please her, he chose the beautiful area of Manipur and re-enacted the Ras Leela. Maharaja Bhagyo Chandra Singha - King of Manipur introduced the "Manipuri Maha Rasaleela " in the Manipur valley during his reign. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 0.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%; height: 0.75pt;" width="100%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="80%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The <i>Lai-Haraoba</i> festival is generally celebrated between April and May, after the harvest season, The Ras songs and dances express the <i>Leelas </i>(sports) of Lord Krishna as a child with the Gopis milkmaids) of <i>Brindavan</i>, and depict their yearning for communion with the Lord. The tribal dances of Manipur are the expression of love, creativity and aestheticism of the tribal people of the State. Manipuris were earlier recognized as skilful warriors and still practice the arts of wrestling, sword fighting and martial arts. S<i>ogol Kangiei</i> (Mainipuri Polo) is the principal sport of the State, for polo is believed to have originated here. <i>Mukna Kangiei (</i>Wrestling Hockey) is also a very popular game in Manipur. The game is part of a ceremonial function and enjoyed due patronage in the olden days. Another popular game known as Y<i>ubi-Lakpi</i> (Manipur Rugby) is played, using a greased coconut.<br /><br /> </span><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/#top"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_30" spid="_x0000_i1086" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" style="'width:15pt;height:15pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" shapes="Picture_x0020_30" border="0" height="20" width="20" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span><a name="sriroy"></a><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">The <i>Shiroy</i> Lily</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It is grown at the peak of the <i>Shiroy</i> Kashang Mountain at a height of 8400 feet above sea level situated in Ikhrul district of Manipur. The Shiroy Lily belongs to Lilium family, but unique in character. By using a microscopic lens, seven colours which claimed its superiority to other lilies in the world can be seen light pink in color. The height of the plant varies from 2 ft. to 31/2ft. depending on the soils fertility Shiroy Lily is not grown anywhere in the world accept <b>Shiroy Kanhong</b> of Manipur. It is said that Priincess Chitrangoda of Manipur had own the heart of Arjuna in her first meeting by offering a Shiroy Lily. Arjuna was so impressed with the beauty and fragrance of the flower that he at once lost himself on her. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 62%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="62%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 206.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 50%; height: 206.25pt;" width="50%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This Shiroy Lily starts blooming during the months of May-June every year on the laden mineral mountain of the Shiroy. It was discovered first by a British naturalists Mr. Kingdom ward, who gave it the Botanical name <b>Lilium Mackleanae</b> and won him the show in London in the 1948.</span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(43)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br /> </span><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/#top"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_32" spid="_x0000_i1088" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" style="'width:15pt;height:15pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" shapes="Picture_x0020_32" border="0" height="20" width="20" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span><a name="admin"></a><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">Administrative Units</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur was an independent princely State earlier. In 1891, it become a British protectorate. The State later on merged with the union of India on October 15, 1949. It was than categorized a ‘C’ group state on January 26, 1960 and finally on January 21, 1972. She got her full Statehood within constitutional limits of India.<br />Presently, it is divided into eight administrative units, i.e. districts. These are again distributed as Valley Districts consisting of Bishnupur or Bishenpur, Imphal and Thoubal and Hils Districts includes Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Candel. Besides, there are nine other important towns and about 2089 villages in the state. It has six Autonomous District Councils. They are Tengnoura Autonomous District Council. Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, Manipur North Autonomous District Council, Manipur South Autonomous District Council, Manipur East Autonomous District Council and Manipur West Autonomous District Councils. All these administrative units are well and properly connected with the State Administration. Imphal the capital city of the State of Manipur is the largest and an important city having over one and a half lakh population. The population of Bishnpur and Moirang are 1,79,903 ( Males: 90415 and Females : 89,488) as in 1993 census. </span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(44)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/#top"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_34" spid="_x0000_i1090" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" style="'width:15pt;height:15pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" shapes="Picture_x0020_34" border="0" height="20" width="20" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="statesy"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></b></a><span style=""></span><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;">The State Symbol</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The State symbol or emblem of Manipur is Kanglasha ( Nongsaba), i.e. half lion and half <o:p></o:p></span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 71%;" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="71%"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 50%;" width="50%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_36" spid="_x0000_i1092" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/kanglasha.jpg" style="'width:128.25pt;height:143.25pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image019.jpg" title="kanglasha"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image020.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/kanglasha.jpg" shapes="Picture_x0020_36" border="0" height="191" width="171" /><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 50%;" valign="bottom" width="50%"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: maroon;">State symbol or emblem of Manipur is Kanglasha ( Nongsaba), i.e. half lion and half dragon</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">dragon. <i>Sangai</i> or brown antlered deer is the State animal, while <i>Nongin</i> remained as the State bird. Iningthiu is regarded as the State tree and the world famous Shiroy Lily ( Lilium) is the State flower of Manipur. Friday, January 21 (1972) is the Statehood day and Date of Manipur. </span><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: red;">(45)</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/#top"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_39" spid="_x0000_i1095" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" style="'width:15pt;height:15pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image017.png" title="arrow"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image018.jpg" alt="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/arrow.gif" shapes="Picture_x0020_39" border="0" height="20" width="20" /><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><a name="archives"></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: blue;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/brohod.jpg"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif"; color: green;"></span></a></span></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://manipurinfo.tripod.com/mahabharata.jpg"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif"; color: green;"><br /></span></a></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: maroon;" align="left" noshade="noshade" size="1" width="80%"> </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: rgb(249, 204, 136) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 95%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="95%"> <tbody><tr style="height: 31.5pt;"> <td colspan="3" style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 100%; height: 31.5pt;" width="100%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><a name="profile"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: blue;"><br /> </span></b></a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: blue;">Manipur Profile</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <hr style="color: rgb(172, 168, 153);" align="center" noshade="noshade" size="3" width="80%"> </span></div> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Location</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">North East of India</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Capital</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Imphal</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Area</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">22,347 Sq.Km.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Population</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">2,388,634 (as per 2001 census)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 30pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 30pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">The People</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 30pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 30pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Meiteis, Bishnupriyas, Manipuri Brahmins, Meitei pangons,Aimols,Kacha Nagas, Koiraos, Vaipheis,Koirengs,Koms,Marams and Some other hill tribes. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 30pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 30pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Languages Spoken</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 30pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 30pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Meitei, Bishnupriya Manipuri, Hindi, English, Mizo, and local dialects.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">State Emblem</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Kangla Shaa</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 30pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 30pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Major Religions</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 30pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 30pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Hinduism, Sanamahism, Christianity, Islam.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Literacy rate</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">68.87 % (2001)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Density of Population</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">82 ( per sqr km )</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Major Rivers</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Imphal, Iril, Nambul, Sekmai, Chakpi, Thoubal and Khuga.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Urbanization rate</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">27.69%</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">State Domestic Product</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Rs. 7610 Mln. (1991-92)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Per capita State Income</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Rs. 4,180 (1991-92)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 15.75pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Tourism</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 15.75pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 15.75pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Imphal</span></b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">, the beautiful capital city in the valley; <b>Mao</b> and <b>Ukhrul</b>, the picturesque hill resorts; <b>Taminglong</b>, with its exotic landscape; <b>Chandel</b>, home to amazing tribes; <b>Khonggom</b> and <b>Moirang</b>, reminders of the British Raj in India.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 57pt;"> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 46%; height: 57pt;" width="46%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right; line-height: normal;" align="right"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">Entry Formalities</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 7%; height: 57pt;" width="7%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0.75pt; width: 47%; height: 57pt;" width="47%"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif"; color: black;">Inner line permit</span></b><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; font-family: "MS Sans Serif","serif";"> is required by Domestic Tourists and <b><span style="color: black;">Restricted Area Permit</span></b><span style="color: black;"> </span>is required by Foreign Tourists</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><a name="Tourist_Information_Centres"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Tourist Information Centres</span></b></a><span style=""></span><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <div align="center"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 426pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="568"> <tbody><tr style="height: 125.25pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 469.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 125.25pt;" width="626"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(90, 56, 192);">At Delhi</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 421.5pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="562"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(232, 238, 249) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 21.75pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="29"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(232, 238, 249) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 373.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="498"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur Information Centre,<br /> Baba Kharak Singh Marg,<br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">New Delhi<br /> Tel. : 011-3746359<br /> Fax : 011-3746361<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(248, 247, 218) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 36.75pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="49"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(248, 247, 218) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 369pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="492"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur Bhavan,<br /> 2, Sardar Patel Marg,<br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chanakyapuri, New Delhi<br /> Tel : 011-6873311/6113150, 6873009<br /> Fax : 011-6111803<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 72.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 469.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 72.75pt;" valign="top" width="626"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(90, 56, 192);">At Kolkata</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 420.75pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="561"> <tbody><tr style="height: 66pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(231, 254, 245) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 23.25pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 66pt;" valign="top" width="31"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(231, 254, 245) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 335.25pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 66pt;" width="447"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Government of India Tourist Office<br /> Embassy, 4, Shakespeare Sarani,<br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kolkata<br /> Tel : 2421475, 2423521<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(251, 255, 225) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 25.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 66pt;" valign="top" width="34"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(251, 255, 225) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 365.25pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; height: 66pt;" valign="top" width="487"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur Bhavan,<br /> 26, Rowland Road,<br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Kolkata<br /> Tel : 747087, 747975<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(90, 56, 192);">At Guwahati</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 420.75pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="561"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(233, 255, 187) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 0.25in; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="24"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(233, 255, 187) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 255.75pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="341"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Manipur Bhavan,<br /> Rajgarh Road, Guwahati<br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tel : 540707<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 312.75pt;" valign="top" width="417"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: rgb(90, 56, 192);">At Imphal</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 422.25pt;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="563"> <tbody><tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(252, 219, 253) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 10.5pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="14"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(252, 219, 253) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 183pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="244"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tourist Information Centre,<br /> Directorate of Tourism, Imphal<br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tel : 224603, 220802<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(223, 255, 239) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 15pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="20"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> <td style="padding: 0in; background: rgb(223, 255, 239) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; width: 192.75pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" valign="top" width="257"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Government of India Tourist Office,<br /> Jail Road, Imphal<br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Tel : 221131<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); display: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Mofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-76413908823169136762008-08-02T07:29:00.001-07:002008-08-02T07:29:31.627-07:00AssamxxxxxxxxxxxMofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-70777494285077961452008-08-02T07:25:00.004-07:002008-08-02T07:29:06.970-07:00Arunachal Pradesh<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Arunachal Pradesh<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Geography</span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:285907774_539df733e7_o.jpg" title=""Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its mountainous landscape." "><span style="text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_830" spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its mountainous landscape." title=""Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its mountainous landscape."" style="'width:186.75pt;height:123.75pt;visibility:visible'" button="t"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" title="Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its mountainous landscape"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg" alt="Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its mountainous landscape." shapes="Picture_x0020_830" border="0" height="165" width="249" /></span></a></p>Much of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayas" title="Himalayas">Himalayas</a>. However, parts of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohit_District" title="Lohit District">Lohit</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changlang" title="Changlang">Changlang</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirap_District" title="Tirap District">Tirap</a> are covered by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patkai" title="Patkai">Patkai</a> hills. Kangto, Nyegi Kangsang, the main Gorichen peak and the Eastern Gorichen peak are some of the highest peaks in this region of the Himalayas. <p>In 2006 Bumla pass in Tawang was opened to traders for the first time in 44 years. Traders from both sides of the pass were permitted to enter each other's territories.</p> <p>The Himalayan ranges that extend up to the eastern Arunachal separate it from China. The ranges extend toward Nagaland, and form a boundary between India and Burma in Changlang and Tirap district, acting as a natural barrier called Patkai Bum Hills. They are low mountains compared to the Greater Himalayas.</p> <h3><a name="Climate"></a><span class="editsection"></span><span class="mw-headline">Climate</span></h3> <p>The climate of Arunachal Pradesh differs with the elevation. Areas that are at a very high elevation in the Upper Himalayas close to the Tibetan border enjoy an alpine or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tundra" title="Tundra">Tundra</a> climate. While below the Upper Himalayas are the Middle Himalayas, where people experience a climate which is temperate. Areas at the sub-Himalayan and sea-level elevation generally experience a humid sub-tropical climate, along with the hot summers and mild winters.</p> <p>Arunchal Pradesh receives heavy rainfall of 80 to 160 inches (2,000 to 4,000 mm) annually, most of it between May and September. The mountain slopes and hills are covered with alpine, temperate, and subtropical forests of dwarf <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron" title="Rhododendron">rhododendron</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak" title="Oak">oak</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine" title="Pine">pine</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple" title="Maple">maple</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fir" title="Fir">fir</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper" title="Juniper">juniper</a>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sal" title="Sal">sal</a> (Shorea) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teak" title="Teak">teak</a> are the main economic species.</p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Transport</span></h2> <p>The state's airports are located at Daparjio, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziro" title="Ziro">Ziro</a>, Along, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tezu" title="Tezu">Tezu</a> and Pasighat. However, owing to the rough terrain, these airports are mostly small and cannot handle many flights, they were actually used for transportation of food, when these parts were not connected by the roads. Arunachal Pradesh has two highways; the 336km (205 miles) National Highway 52, completed in 1998, connects Jonai with Dirak. There is another highway which connects <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tezpur" title="Tezpur">Tezpur</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam" title="Assam">Assam</a> with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawang_Town" title="Tawang Town">Tawang</a>.Now in 2007, every village is connected by road. It's due to the funding that central government has provided. Every small town has got its own bus station and daily bus services are available. All places are connected to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam" title="Assam">Assam</a>, which has increased the trading capacity. A National Highway is being constructed on the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ledo_Road" title="Ledo Road">Stillwell Ledo Road</a>, which connects Ledo in Assam to Jairampur in Arunachal.</p> <h2><span class="mw-headline">Tourism</span></h2> <p>Arunachal Pradesh attracts tourists from many parts of the world. Tourist attractions include the Namdapha tiger project in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changlang" title="Changlang">Changlang</a> district, Sela lake near to Bomdila, the bamboo bridges hanging over the river. Religious places of interest include Malinithan in Lekhabali and Rukhmininagar near Roing, the place where Rukmini, Lord Krishna's wife in Hindu mythology, is said to have lived; Parshuram Kund in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohit_district" title="Lohit district">Lohit district</a>, is believed to the lake where Parshuram washed away all his sins. Rafting and trekking are also available. A visitor's permit from the tourism department is required.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; color: olive;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Mofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-15643251874864091122008-08-02T07:25:00.003-07:002008-08-02T07:25:27.669-07:00xxxxxxMofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-75500864637824323312008-08-02T07:25:00.001-07:002008-08-02T07:25:12.005-07:00xxxxxMofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-46027604939750932422008-08-02T07:24:00.001-07:002008-08-02T07:24:53.847-07:00xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxMofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4456844799797263565.post-77469313470505868722008-08-02T07:23:00.000-07:002008-08-02T07:24:30.979-07:00IntroductionxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxMofid's blogspacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04182102286750846957noreply@blogger.com0