|
|
Climate:
Its tropical location and high altitude gives it a mild climate all year round. During winter, the temperature varies from 11 to 21° C and in summer it varies between 20 to 29° C. May to September sees heavy rains and the average rainfall is in excess of 250 cm per annum. Winters are generally rain-free.
How to Get There
By Air: Lengpui Airport, Aizawl is Mizoram's sole airport, reachable from Kolkata in 40 minutes. Kolkata also routes to Mizoram via Silchar Airport, 200 km away.
By Road and Train:
Mizoram has no railway connection. One has to tackle a 6-hour drive to Silchar in Assam, 180 km away, to catch a train. Three National Highways link Mizoram to Imphal Manipur and Tripura. Inner roads are simple tracks, some metalled and some not, and interlink Mizoram's cities.
People: Renowed for their hospitality, Mizos are a close-knit society with no class or gender distinction. The entire society is knit together by a peculiar code of ethics, ‘tlawmngaihna' an untranslatable term meaning on the part of everyone to be hospitable kind, unselfish and helpful to others. Historian believe that the Mizos are a part of the great wave of the great wave of the Mongolian race spilling over into the eastern and southern India centuries ago.
They met with British Missionaries in the 9th century and became Christians. The Missionaries also educated the locals. The cumulative result is high literacy level of 95 %, the highest in India. The Mizos area distinct community and the social unit was the village, around which Mizo life revolved. A Mizo Village is usually set on the top of a hill with the chief's house at the centre and the bachelor’s dormitory called Zawlbuk, prominently located. |
Demographics:
Mizoram's population is several ethnic tribes, linked one way or another. These tribes are together called Lushais or Mizos, since 75% of Mizos and 67% of the population are Lushais anyway. Other Mizo tribes include Hmar, Mara, Paite, Lai and Ralte. The Riang, of Arakanese origin, are a non-Mizo tribe living in Mizoram.The primary religion is Christianity and the church is a crucial ingredient of Mizo culture. 90.5% of the population is Christian, 5.3% Buddhist, 3.1% Hindu and 1.1% Muslim.
Where to Stay: Aizawl has 14 hotels/lodges, of which the Berawtlang Tourist Recreation Centre, has received rave reviews. Most other cities have one to two tourist lodges.
Where to Eat:
All cities in Mizoram have small restaurants and eateries. The cuisine of Mizoram is different from the rest of the country. Mizo cuisine is a blend of Chinese and north Indian recipes, served on fresh green banana leaves. The usual meal is less spicy and plain in taste. The popular dish is Bai, eaten with rice. It is made from boiling spinach with pork and bamboo shoot. Locally made wine is their favorite beverage, as liquor is banned under a Prohibition Act. Sawchair made of rice cooked with pork or chicken is also a tasty dish. Grape wines under the brand name of Zawlaidi are popular.
Festivals:
Christmas is the biggest and most celebrated festival. Others are The Mim Kut after the harvest of maize in May; Chapchar Kut after completion of their task of jungle-clearing in March;Pawl kut, a straw harvest festival, typically celebrated in December.
|
