
Posted by: Daisy Das
Here’s a list of few such startling secrets of the Northeast
India which can excite to plan Holiday Packages from Travelidea that you may have not known about.
Home of The Last Surviving Headhunters
Nagaland is called the "Home of the Last Surviving Headhunters" because until as recently as the mid-20th century, some of the Naga tribes in the region were known for their practice of headhunting. Headhunting was a traditional practice in which warriors would take the heads of their enemies as a trophy to prove their bravery and valor. The practice was believed to bring power and prosperity to the tribe.
The headhunting practice was prevalent among several tribes in Nagaland, including the Konyak tribe, which was known for its fierce warriors. The Konyak warriors would decorate their houses with the skulls of their enemies, and the number of skulls represented the status and power of the warrior.
The practice of headhunting was outlawed by the Indian government in the 1950s, and the Naga tribes have since abandoned the practice.
The Only Matriarchal Society of India In Meghalaya
Meghalaya is known for its matrilineal society, which is a system in which family lineage is traced through the mother's side of the family. The Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo tribes of Meghalaya have been practicing matrilineal traditions for centuries. However, it is important to note that while Meghalaya has a matrilineal society, it is not a matriarchal society.
In a matrilineal society, women have a significant role in the family and community, and property and inheritance are passed down through the female line. Women are also involved in decision-making processes, and their opinions are respected. In contrast, in a matriarchal society, women hold the primary positions of power and authority.
The Unusual Ambubachi Mela
The Ambubachi Mela is an unusual annual festival that is held at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam. The festival is also known as the Ambubasi festival or the Mahakumbh of the East. It is a celebration of the annual menstruation of the goddess Kamakhya, who is worshipped as the embodiment of fertility and womanhood.
During the festival, the temple is closed for three days to mark the menstruation of the goddess, and devotees are not allowed to perform any religious activities. After three days, the temple is reopened, and devotees throng to the temple to receive blessings and offerings from the goddess.
Sanctuary of The Exotic Species
The exotic flora and fauna of the region make it a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. some of the popular national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the northeastern region that are known for their exotic species include Kaziranga National Park in Assam, Manas National Park in Assam, Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh, Nokrek National Park in Meghalaya, and Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram.
Host of the World’s Largest Electric Guitar Ensemble
The Guinness World Record for the "Largest Electric Guitar Ensemble" was set in the northeastern state of Manipur in India on December 25, 2013. A total of 7,346 guitarists played together for five minutes, beating the previous record of 6,346 set in California, USA in 2012.
The event was organized by the Rotary Club of Imphal in collaboration with the Tourism Department of Manipur. The aim of the event was to promote music as well as tourism in the state.
The event was held at the Mapal Kangjeibung stadium in Imphal, and participants from across Manipur as well as neighboring states of Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam joined in the ensemble.
The Ancient Tradition Of Barter System At Jonbeel Mela
Jonbeel Mela is an ancient fair that is held annually in Assam, a northeastern state of India. It is a unique fair that revives the ancient tradition of bartering goods and services instead of using cash.
The fair is held in a village called Dayang Belguri in the Morigaon district of Assam, and it attracts people from different communities and tribes who come to exchange goods such as rice, vegetables, spices, handloom products, handicrafts, and even livestock.
The barter system at the Jonbeel Mela is based on the ancient tradition of the Tiwa tribe, who used to gather at the Jonbeel (a wetland) to exchange their goods and also to resolve disputes among themselves.
Nghah Lou Dawr Culture Of Mizoram
Nghah Lou Dawr is a unique culture and tradition of the Mizoram state in Northeast India. It is a practice where a group of young men carries a heavy log on their shoulders and walk in unison, displaying their physical strength and endurance.
Never Ending List of Locally Brewed Liquor
The Northeast region of India is known for its unique and diverse culture, and one aspect of this culture is the locally brewed liquor that is made in different parts of the region. Rice beer in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland & Tripura).
Apong in Arunachal Pradesh, Zu in Mizoram, Chhang in Sikkim, Sekmai Yu in Manipur and Tungrymbai in Meghalaya.
Secret Tunnels of Talatal Ghar
It was built by the Ahom kings during the 17th century and served as a military base and strategic center for the Ahom dynasty. The underground tunnels of Talatal Ghar were built to serve several purposes, including as a means of escape during times of war, as well as to transport supplies and weapons from one part of the fort to another.
Fulfilling Lake That Is Tended By Birds
The lake you are referring to is called Loktak Lake, located in the northeastern state of Manipur, India. It is the largest freshwater lake in the region and is home to many unique species of birds, including the endangered Manipur bush quail.
What makes Loktak Lake unique is its floating phumdis, which are masses of organic matter, soil, and vegetation that float on the surface of the water. These phumdis provide a habitat for a variety of aquatic life, including fish, snakes, and turtles.
Beware Of The Chillies
Assam is home to the hottest chillies in the world, including the Bhut Jolokia, also known as the ghost pepper, which was once recognized as the hottest chilli in the world.
Apart from Bhut Jolokia, Nagaland is known for its range of locally grown chillies such as the Naga king chilli, Dalle chilli, and the Bhutkeshi chilli, which are all known for their intense spiciness and distinct flavor.
First Place In Asia To Be Drilled With Oil
The northeastern state of Assam is considered the birthplace of the oil industry in India and the first place in Asia to be drilled with oil. Oil was first discovered in Assam in the late 19th century during the colonial era. In 1889, the first successful oil well was drilled at Digboi, a small town in Assam.
The Mawphlang Sacred Forest And Its Megaliths
The Mawphlang Sacred Forest is a unique conservation area located in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, Northeast India.
The forest is also known for its megaliths, which are large stones or structures that were placed there by ancient civilizations. The megaliths in Mawphlang are believed to be over 500 years old and are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Khasi tribe.
The River Islands Of Assam; Both The Largest And The Smallest
Assam, a state in Northeast India, is home to several river islands, including both the largest and the smallest river islands in the world.
Majuli, located in the Brahmaputra River, is the largest river island in the world. On the other hand, Umananda Island, located in the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, is the smallest inhabited river island in the world.
The Ghost That Guards The Border
The "ghost that guards the border" is a famous folklore associated with the India-Bangladesh border in the state of Assam. According to the legend, a ghostly figure called "Daini-Pol" haunts the border and protects it from any intruders or unwanted elements.
The legend of Daini-Pol is believed to have originated during the British colonial era when the border was first established. It is said that the ghost is the spirit of a woman who was killed during the construction of the border fence. Since then, her spirit has been guarding the border and protecting it from any harm.
The Place Where Birds Commit Suicide: Jatinga
Jatinga is a small village in the Indian state of Assam that is known for the mysterious phenomenon of birds committing suicide. Every year, between the months of September and November, thousands of migratory birds are said to dive to their deaths in the village.