7 Sisters of India
-by Abhrajita Mondal
–Reading Time – 7 min Approx
If you are an Indian, you may be knowing about the 7 Sisters of India. Here we are talking about the seven north-eastern states. Northeast India is a paradise of sorts. Moreover, these states fare prominently amongst the top states for tourism. The family of the seven sister states includes Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh. Moreover, the area is considered one of the most bio-diverse spots.
The northeast comprises a series of hilly regions with a bountiful nature. Secondly, if you happen to go there, you will find celebrations, eating habits, costumes, and the communities to be different from that of the rest of India. It is one of the heritage sites in India. Now, many of you might ask, what about Sikkim? You will get the answer now itself.
Sikkim is not considered a part of the ‘7 Sisters’ family. It is due to the fact, that it does not share borders with any of the said states. Moreover, it is separated from the seven sisters by the chicken neck corridor of Siliguri. However, it is referred to as the brother of the 7 Sisters. You will hear the phrase ‘7 Sisters and 1 brother of India’ often. So, now you have received your answer. Sikkim is the second smallest state in India. Moreover, it has the highest peak in India called Kanchenjunga. It is also the third-largest mountain in the world.
The 7 Sisters of India and their capitals are given here. You ought to know about the capitals.
- Meghalaya – Shillong
- Mizoram – Aizawl
- Nagaland – Kohima
- Assam – Guwahati
- Manipur – Imphal
- Tripura – Agartala
- Arunachal Pradesh – Itanagar
The 7 Sisters of India and their capitals are mentioned above. You should not have any doubts about them now. All these states share borders. Now, you know why it is called 7 Sisters of India?
Know about the 7 Sisters of India:
Meghalaya is the first state that we are going to talk about today. This beautiful state has a name which means ‘abode of the clouds’. It shares its border with Bangladesh and Assam. Moreover, it is the wettest place on earth. Cherrapunji in Meghalaya holds the record for the highest rainfall. However, Mawsynram has broken the record.
If you happen to go to Meghalaya, you can visit the sacred forests. The Great Indian Hornbill is the largest bird and is found there. The state is drenched in rain throughout the year. Additionally, it boasts of the greatest number of waterfalls. Some of them are Nokhlikhai, Dainthen, Elephant falls and Kynrem falls amongst others. There are around 16 waterfalls there. You can also check out the beautiful Laitlum Canyon in Meghalaya. The views will make you fall in love again and again.
The inhabitants of Meghalaya love to follow their traditions. You will find them celebrating the Wangala festival in November. The autumn festival is the Strawberry Festival and the Ranikor festival is another one which is also celebrated with full fervor. Now, you have just started knowing about the 7 Sisters of India.
The second state is Mizoram. The meaning of the name is ‘Land of the Mizos’. It is a landlocked state which shares its borders with Tripura, Assam and Manipur. Additionally, Mizoram shares international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. You will find various tribes in Mizoram. They are Poi, Jahao, Dulien, Ralte, Pankhup, Mar and nine more tribes.
The state has thick and dense forests. Some of the famous festivals of Mizoram are Mim Kut, Pawl Kut and Chapchar Kut. The Phawngpui Hills is the highest peak in the state of Mizoram. Moreover, Mizoram boasts of the longest cave system in Mizoram. That is the reason, why everybody regards these states as filled with the best landscapes and greenery.
Now, we move on to the third state. It is none other than Nagaland. The state shares borders with Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. The main employment generating activity is agriculture. The state boasts of a range of trees like palm trees, bamboo trees, as well as rattan trees. Moreover, you will also find an abundance of fauna in the region. They include wild boars, bears, elephants and monkeys.
Nagaland is popular for its tribes. Moreover, you can easily identify a Naga from their headdress and bizarre wardrobe. Secondly, they have a very queer taste. You can enter the state through Dimapur. Kohima, which is also the capital of the state, is the most beautiful. The Angami tribe dominates the region. Nagaland is every tourist’s delight and one of the 7 Sisters of India.
While drinking a hot cup of Assam tea, you must have imagined visiting the tea gardens there. Assam is a beautiful state that has a generous dose of everything. You will find temples, hills, forests, gorges, valleys and much more. Moreover, the state never fails to satiate the nature-loving traveller. Assam shares borders with states like Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and West Bengal.
The state also shares international borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan. Some of the most famous places in Assam are Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Majuli Island, Haflong Hill, Lilabari and Digboi to name a few. You should visit these beautiful places between November and March.
Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh decoded:
You can also visit Manipur as well. It is an offbeat destination. The state is bestowed with lush green meadows, hills, streams, waterfalls and tea gardens. The state is a gem in the northeast. The most famous tourist attractions in the state are Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Kangla Fort, and Singda Dam to name a few. The Loktak Lake is a floating lake that is found here. It one of its kind in the world. It is one of the 7 Sisters of India.
The lush green meadows beckon from a distance. Other must-see places in Manipur are Senapati, Imphal, Andro and Bishnupur. Moreover, Manipur has rich customs and traditions. The state is best represented by its myriad artistic forms. The Raas Leela is the epitome of the Manipuri Kingdom. If you are lucky, you can also visit Manipur during the festivals. The colorful costumes combined with the dance forms can transport you to another arena all together.
The next state that we are going to talk about is Tripura. There is more to read about the 7 Sisters and 1 Brother of India. Tripura is quite famous for its tea gardens, meadows and toy train. There are quite a few Bangladeshis who have made Tripura their home. Now, enjoy a clutter-free trip to Tripura. The state shares borders with Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam. The official languages spoken there are Bengali, Kokborok and English. You will find a wide range of festivals being celebrated there. The Ujjayanta Palace is a striking feature of Tripura. It is engulfed in rich culture and traditions.
The scenic landscape and pleasant climate draws tourists from India and abroad. Garia Puja is a famous festival there. If you are visiting Tripura in April, you can enjoy the festivities and celebrations. People enjoy Mui Borok over there which is a great dish.
The last one of the 7 Sisters of India is Arunachal Pradesh. It is definitely a part of our incredible India. Tawang is the most renowned destination in Arunachal Pradesh. Moreover, it is also an international relevant place. It is surrounded by the three countries China, Bhutan and Myanmar.
So, you can understand that the place has huge cultural affairs. There is a strong intermingling of surrounding cultures. It also has the LOC. The state is an epitome of heaven with snow-peaked mountains and deep gorges.
Why is Sikkim not included in 7 Sisters?
We were talking about the 7 Sisters and 1 Brother of India today. Although, Sikkim is not a part of the seven sisters. It is definitely the brother. Most people who travel to the northeast consider it to be so. Gangtok is one of the most famous holiday spots in Sikkim. Get ready to be dazzled by the Buddhist-style gompas. Moreover, you can also enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayas. The alpine meadows and rhododendrons beckon one and all.
You should ensure to start your northeast journey from the ‘Brother state’, Sikkim. Gangtok is where all the adventure starts. However, there is a lot more in Sikkim than just Gangtok. Some of the top spots in Sikkim for tourists are Pelling, Yuksom, Ravangla, Rumtek Monastery and Tsomgo Lake. Nathula Pass is also one of the highest motorable passes.
India has the best biodiversity in the world. You will be able to reach the places in the northeast by train till a certain point. After which, the hilly terrain makes it impossible for rail communication. However, bus and coach services are available aplenty. So, you will not have any difficulty commuting to the hilly regions in the northeast. There is an abundance of flora and fauna culture as well as traditions in the northeast. It takes several visits to enrich oneself in its entirety.
-by Abhrajita Mondal
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