FACTS
& FIGURES
Population
: 1,60,000
Languages : Mizo, English
Best time to visit : October to May
STD Code : 0389
THE HIGHLANDER'S HAVEN
Proving true to its name as "the home of the
highlanders," Aizawl, the capital of the northeastern
state of Mizoram, is located at an altitude of 3500
feet above sea level. It is the seat of a rich tribal
cultural extravaganza and is famous for its handicrafts.
The town is blessed with exotic natural beauty. While
the river Tlawng flows quietly on the east, on the
north one can see the jagged hills of Durtlang.
LOCATION AND
TIME TO VISIT
Aizawl is situated towards the central part of the
state and is flanked by rivers and rapids. It is at
a distance of 466 km from Guwahati, 366 km from Shillong,
and 140 km from Silchar. The Durtlang Hills constitute
a natural barrier immediately south of Aizawl, their
high ridges punctuated by Mizo villages and Christian
missions, and provide pleasant rambling country. Aizawl
perches precariously on the steep slopes of a sharp
ridge, straddling the watershed between the Tlawng
and the Tuirial river valleys at an altitude of 1100
m. Although it may lack a snowy Himalayan backdrop,
it has something of the feel of a Himalayan hill station.
It is generally cool during the summers with temperatures
ranging from 20 to 30°C and heavy rains during
the months of May to September. Winter temperatures
range from 10 to 20°C. Fog is commonplace, and
the first rays of the sun drive it away to make way
for the mountain peaks-a sight that often attracts
many tourists.
THEN AND NOW
Aizawl as a town does not have a distinct past specifically.
The whole state of Mizoram was a part of Assam until
1972 when it was made a Union Territory. There were
insurgency problems in the region until 1987, when
it was declared a State. Unusually enough, almost
all problems of terrorism and demands for freedom
have subsided since then. The Mizos are Christians
by faith and most of them speak English. In fact,
Mizoram has a literacy rate of 87%, which is the second
highest in the country.
PLACES TO
VISIT
The State Museum at Babu Tlang is worth visiting
and one can have a glimpse of Mizo dresses, implements,
historic relics, and other traditional items. The
mini zoo has some rare Asian animals in it and the
most important one is the endangered sun bear. The
Cultural Sub-Center is a good retreat center from
the cacophony of modern life and is provided with
modern amenities, while providing alluring natural
sights. There are a few other attractions as well.
These include the zoological garden, Bung picnic spot,
MAHCO Showroom, Treasury Square, Vengthlang, and Bethlehem.
SITES NEARBY
Tamdil Lake is located at distance of 85 km from
Aizawl and is a good picnic spot with boating facilities.
For an admirer of natural beauty, Vantwang Falls are
at a distance of about 137 km, providing a breathtaking
sight of water falling amidst bamboo forests. To take
a fantastic view of the Myanmar hills, one can visit
Champai, about 192 km from Aizawl. Luangmual is at
a distance of 7 km from Aizawl and is a small village
known for its handicrafts center.
FAIRS AND
FESTIVALS
Mizoram is known for its jhum crops and the people
of the region celebrate the festivals related to it
with traditional gay and pomp. In the months of February
to March the clearing of the jungles to make way for
sowing is celebrated through the festival of Chapchar
Kut. The harvest festival is celebrated during the
month of December and is called Pawl Kut. Another
festival, Mim Kut, is celebrated after the maize harvest
in September in honor of the departed souls. The birth
of Christ, and New Year's Day are also major festivals.
The Mizos are famous for their Bamboo dance. Cheraw,
Chheih Lam, Solakar or Sarlamkai are other famous
dances.
WHERE TO SHOP
Aizawl can prove to be a shopper's delight and the
Bara Bazaar is a good stopover. This northeastern
town is famous for its handicrafts, bags, weavings
and other traditional items. The Weaving Center, Handloom
Emporium, Bazaar Bungkawn, Thaakthing Bazaar, Ritz
Market, Burma Lane, New Market, and Solomon's Cave
are other important marts. Bamboo items, including
cane furniture, are good buys.
HOW TO REACH
It is connected to Silchar via National Highway No.
44 and the nearest major rail junction is at Lumding,
a further 180 km north of Silchar. There are regular
flight of Indian airlines from Aizawl to Calcutta
and the journey takes approximately two hours time.
