Top 15 Surprising Facts About North East India
India is a land of diversity. Different states, different languages, different cultures and different religions yet united by faith and tradition. Every part of India is an epitome of beauty and love. In addition, India consists four major parts – North, South, East and West. Also these major parts have its sub parts too – North-east, North-west, South-east and South-west. Every region has something unique about it. From its geography to its history, here are Top 15 surprising facts about north-east India that will leave you astound and make you travel to seven sisters.
“India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother
of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grand mother of tradition”.―
The Seven Sister states of India( Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura prior to inclusion of the state of Sikkim into the North Eastern Region of India.)located in the North-Eastern part of the country have managed to surprise the crowd in many aspects, be it culture, be it diversity, or be it in beauty.
1. Arunachal Pradesh – land of sun rising
Arunachal Pradesh with area 83,743 Sq. Km. is a largest north eastern state of India. This is the state where the sun can be seen first in India. Arunachal Pradesh is located at 97°25’E longitude and the eastern most state of India . Since the Earth rotate wet to east the Arunachal Pradesh is the first state to face the sun. In 1999, it is found that Arunachal Pradesh is the first state to witness the sun thus called as “India’s Land of Rising Sun”. The last village on the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh is Kaho, India, which lies just north of Kibithu on the banks of Lohit River.
2. Many Names Of Assam
Do you know ? there are several names for this north eastern state. In the mythical past, ‘Pragjyotishpur’ name was in ‘Tretayug’ (Ramayana age) of Assam. On the other hand, ‘Kamrup‘ name was in ‘Dwaparyug’ (Mahabharata age) of Assam. Today it has two names: the official English name ASSAM and the Assamese local name OXOM.
3. Assam – land of red river
Apart from tea gardens and Kaziranga National Park, Assam is famous for other many beautiful existence of nature. In addition, Assam is known as ‘land of red river’. Red refers to another name of the mighty Brahmaputra. In other words, the soil of this area is rich in iron content naturally this gives the color red to the river with a high concentration of sediments of red and yellow soil.
4. Orchids In North East India
70% of world’s orchids are found in the North East. Moreover, there are 127 species, and 6 varieties belonging to 52 genera are endemic to this region and the highest concentration of orchids lie in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Thus, the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary in Arunacha Pradesh is the country.
5. Mughal Never Invaded Seven Sisters
The Mughals ruled almost the entire Indian subcontinent. Borders stretching from the Karakoram Range to the Deccan Peninsula in the south. And from Bengal in the east to modern day Afghanistan in the west. Yet they never set foot on the North East lands. As a result, the North East is one of only three regions of the country which does not include in the Mughal empire along with the Chola and Pandaya Kingdoms in the South.
6. Bollywood Connection To North East
1. Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se About North East India
Mani Ratnam’s 1998 blockbuster, starring Shahrukh Khan and Manisha Koirala is one of the only films from the mainstream Bollywood releases that was based on the insurgency in the North East. Furthermore, noted for its non linear screenplay, the film won awards for cinematography, audiography, choreography, and music, among others. Firstly, movie becomes the first Indian film to enter the top 10 in the United Kingdom box office charts. Secondly, the film won two National Film Awards, and six Filmfare Awards. And finally, the film is about 7 shades of love defined in ancient Arabic literature. The shades are attraction, infatuation, love, reverence, worship, obsession, and death. The character played by Shahrukh Khan passes through each shade during the course of the film.
2. Music Connection
Renowned music composers of Hindi Cinema, SD Burman and RD Burman belong to royal family of Tripura.
3. Hindi Cinema Is Banned in North East
Guwahati and Manipur government has imposed ban on any sort of Hindi movie from being screened in the movie theatres across the state. (2018)
7. Tripura – Bordered On 3 Sides By Bangladesh
Tripura has the only water palace (Neer Mahal) in north east India, built on Rudra Sagar Lake. The state is covered with borders of Bangladesh from 3 sides. In addition, Chaturdasha Devata Temple built in 1761 to worship fourteen deities together. Moreover, CM of Tripura (2018) is the “poorest chief minister of India”. However, Tripura is famous for rubber and tea production.
8. Manipur – Birthplace of Polo
Manipur believes it is the place from where polo originated. And so do Iran, Mongolia and China. Traditional records mention Sagol Kangjei, a Manipuri game which gave birth to modern polo. Importantly, it was the Britishers who first took interest in the local game. Mapal Kangjeibung in Imphal is the world’s oldest polo grounds.
9. Ima Keithel – Asia’s biggest all women market
In the Meitei Manipuri language ‘Ima‘ means mother and ‘Keithel’ stands for market. Although, it is an all women market. Only married women run 3000 shops of handicrafts, clothes, fresh produce, flowers, fish and honey. This tradition is 500 years old and thus the name ‘Ima market’. Khwairamband Bazar is famous as Ima Keithel is in Imphal, Manipur.
10. Mizoram – Tropic Of Cancer Passes Through Aizawl
Mizoram lies in the southern most tip of north east India. However, Tropic Of Cancer passes through Aizawl ( capital city of Mizoram) in India. Also, Mizoram stands 2nd in literacy rate after Kerala. Mizoram faced Mautam, a famine in 1959 due to excessive rat population.
- Price For Bride
An interesting fact about Mizoram, according to Mizo culture, the groom must pay a certain price to the bride’s family to seek her matrimonial alliance.
11. Meghalaya has the cleanest village of India
12. Nagaland – Land Of Festivals
Nagaland is a home to 16 prominent tribes and other sub tribes. Furthermore, Hornbill which is one such festival where almost every tribe of that state takes part. Additionally, agriculture is an important part of Nagaland, one can expect several pre-harvest, harvest, post-harvest and sowing celebrations like Mimkut (by the Kuki tribe), Bushu (by the Kachari tribe), Tsukhenye Festival (by the Chakhesang tribe) and Yemshe (by the Pochury tribe). Therefore, the Rengma tribe of Nagaland is known to celebrate thanksgiving and the popular Angami tribe is famed for their purification festival of Sekrenyi.
13. Need Special Permission To Visit North East
Northeast India is now opening up to tourism and people are welcoming this beauty. However, to visit most Northeast states, you will need to get inner line permits. Importantly, this rule is in place due to ethnic violence in places such as China, Myanmar and Bhutan. Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland are the states that needs permission to vist.
14. English – The Official Language
We often think is english an official language of any Indian state? then the answer is yes, english is the official language of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland. In addition, English is also recognized as a second official language in Assam, Manipur, and Tripura.
15. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Bridge
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Bridge is the longest bridge in India, over the River Brahmaputra, in Assam. Additionally, Prime Narendra Modi, in 2020 inaugurated the 9.15 Km long river bridge. Also, Dhola -Sadiya Bridge is another name of the bridge.
So, here are top 15 surprising facts about North East India. Most of the population know north east for its richness in flora and fauna but seven sisters are more than that. Apart from biodiversity, here are very interesting facts that can make you fall in love with north east India or in other words Seven Sisters. Along with the common facts you will find something that you didn’t know till now. There is a lot more about north east India excluding the above facts.
who said hindi movies were ban in northeast? i have been watching bollywood movies in theatre since childhood.