India is a vast country with people from all religions living here peacefully and happily. We have a total landmass of 3.287 million square kilometres and over 2 billion people who follow different religions, belong to different castes, and stay in different parts of the country. We have a multitude of languages and a huge variety of traditions that are followed everywhere. No two wedding ceremonies are the same, but there is one common thing among all married couples – an exotic foreign locale for the honeymoon.
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Well, this should surely change. When India and its states have such tremendous cultural diversity and beauty, then why to go abroad to enjoy the company of your partner? There are many unexplored regions of northeast India and we bet once you visit these places, you will forget to visit places abroad. So, without further ado, let us tell you as to why you should go to these places for your honeymoon.
Geographically the largest north-eastern state, the name of Arunachal Pradesh roughly translates to ‘the land of the dawn-lit mountains’. It is also called the Orchid State of India or the Land of the Botanists. It finds a mention in religious scriptures like the Puranas and the epic Mahabharata. This state has a rich history and it has a lot of historical monuments and archaeological remains that attract a number of tourists.
The must-visit beautiful places over here are Tawang, Mechukha, and the Namdhapa National Park. If you are looking for an adventure with your beloved by your side, then the largest biodiversity park, Namdhapa National Park is what should be on your must-visit list. Its lush evergreen forests, an amazing variety of flora and fauna, and the absolutely fresh air will make you ecstatic. While for all the religious minded people, Arunachal Pradesh is home to the largest Buddhist monastery in India, the Tawang monastery, Mechuka is the place you need to be in, if you wish to enjoy the scenic beauty of Arunachal. The exotic tribes, gentle hills, snow-capped mountains, and the river Siyom! All in all, it is a must-visit place with your beloved by your side.
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Also known as the ‘Land of the Red Rivers and Blue Hills’, Assam and all the northeastern states are connected to the rest of India via a thin strip of land, known as the Siliguri corridor. Assam is known all over the world for its tea, silk, petroleum resources and the extremely varied flora and fauna. The most famous places to visit here are- Majuli, Kamakhya Temple, and Kaziranga.
If you are looking to visit a culturally rich place during your honeymoon, then Majuli is the place to visit. It is the home of the satras that were founded by Sankardeva. These centres are not just monasteries but also centres for traditional performing arts. The Kamakhya Temple is a shrine for mother goddess Kamakhya. This temple is an important holy place for the Hindus. And, most definitely, if you go to Assam and do not visit the Kaziranga National Park, then what have you visited? Home to the world’s two-thirds population of one-horned rhinoceros and the highest density of tigers, Kaziranga is a must-visit.
Also known as the ‘Jewel of India’, Manipur is a quaint little town with its indigenous people coexisting peacefully. Ranges of bluish green hills interlaced with rivulets, fresh flowers, and lakes surround it. Its cultural dance forms best represent Manipur. If you happen to visit the place in April-May, you can also witness their spectacular Spring Festival- called Lai Haraoba, which is an amalgamation of perfect costumes and ritualistic dance performances.
The must-visit place here is the Loktak Lake. It is the largest freshwater lake in northeast India and is known as the Floating Lake of the World. Another destination that should be on your list is the capital city of Manipur, Imphal. It is a shoppers' heaven with an all-women’s market known as the Khwairamband Bazaar or the Ima Market as one of the main attractions. From exquisite handlooms to household goods, this market has it all. So, all you ladies do make sure that you visit this place.
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Also known as the ‘Abode of Clouds’, Meghalaya is known for its scenic beauty and lush green forest covers. Its tourism capabilities have not yet been fully realised and to promote the same, the government has taken some steps. If you are an adventure junkie, you will surely love the adventure sports that this state has to offer- from trekking, caving, and rock climbing to hand gliding.
This state boasts of some astounding places to visit, namely, Cherapunjee, Shillong, and Mawlynnong. Also known as the wettest place on the Earth, Cherapunjee boasts of some breathtaking spots to visit. The Living Roots Bridges are single-decker and double-decker, are one of their kind and a sight to behold. These bridges are a thick tangle of strong roots that have been intermingled to form a bridge. Other major attractions here are the Mawsmai Caves and the Nohkalikai Falls. Next on our list is Shillong, which is also known as the Scotland of India. The major places of attraction here are Lady Hydari Park, Ward’s Lake and Elephant Falls. Mawlynnong is Asia’s cleanest village and the onus lies on its local inhabitants who keep it so. Picturesque natural beauty, a trek to the living root bridge and the unique sight of nature balancing a rock are some of its must-visit places.
Consisting of mostly tribal population and the most landlocked northeastern state, Mizoram translates to ’the land of the hill people’. Mizoram is a highly literate agrarian state and has dense bamboo forests. The surroundings give a feel of a picture-perfect scenario with ribbon-like rivers that will surely motivate the onlookers to jump in and gear up for some adventure and excitement. The highest peak of Mizoram is Phawngpui Mountain and is also known as the Blue Mountain because of a large variety of rhododendron of the arboretum and veitchianum species.
The Anthurium Festival held every September in the locales of Reiek Village, should not be missed when in Mizoram. It is a three-day extravaganza displaying the state’s rich cultural diversity. One gets to be a part of the local traditions and indulge in various activities.
The farthest northeastern state of India, Nagaland is the home to various different tribes of people. Each tribe is unique with its own set of cultures, customs and language. Nagaland is also home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and is known as the ‘Falcon Capital of the World’. Almost two-thirds of the state is filled with tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests.
The Hornbill Festival is one of the major attractions that this state has to offer. Celebrated every year in the first week of December, this festival is a unique chance for you to visit and be a part of the various cultures that this state boasts of. The celebrations usually last for a week and include dances, performances, crafts, parades, games, sports and food fairs. The festival serves the twin purpose of exposing the culture and tradition of tribal people and also reinforcing its identity as a unique state in India. Another place of interest here is the Khonoma village, located close to the capital city of Kohima. It is famous for its forests and a unique form of agriculture. The place is also rich in flora and fauna with the endangered bird, the Blyth’s Tragopan, found here which is also the state bird.
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If you are looking for an area with snowfall in the northeast, then Sikkim is your place to be. Sikkim is situated in the ecological hotspot of the lower Himalayas and the state exhibits a diverse range of flora and fauna. Since the state has various levels of altitude, it has a wide variety of plants from tropical to temperate, alpine and tundra ones. You can also find the roads lined with numerous wildflowers. Gangtok, Pelling, and Dzongri are some of the must-visit places when in Sikkim.
Gangtok is a shopper’s paradise with the MG Marg as a must-visit market. From clothes, shoes, souvenirs and gifts to trinkets, it has all things for you to buy. The speciality is the Sikkimese cups with unique designs printed on them. Pelling is mostly viewed as the base camp place for trekkers and mountaineers who wish to explore West Sikkim. The places to visit, when here include, the local monastery, rock garden and waterfall at Rimbi, the imposing Kanchenjunga Waterfalls, the Chhange Waterfalls, and the Singshore Bridge. If you and your better half are fond of trekking and snowfall then Dzongri is your destination. The best time to visit here is from mid-March to April, and then from September to mid-October. The trek to reach the peak is through lush rhododendron forests, which end at snow-clad mountains. It is a sudden rush of adrenalin and should be on your dream destination lists.
Tripura lies in the Indomalaya ecozone and boasts of having three different ecosystems- forest, freshwater and mountain. The state also has a number of wildlife sanctuaries, namely, Sipahijola, Gumti, Rowa, and Trishna; national parks, namely, Clouded Leopard National Park and Rajbari National Park. Gumti and Rudrasagar lakes see a lot of migratory waterfowl in winter. The capital city of Agartala should be your go-to destination here.
Agartala is the second largest city in North-East India after Guwahati and is located close to the Howrah river. It has a rich history and boasts of some magnificent places to visit. Ujjayanta Palace is a must-visit for its architecture and beautiful Mughal Gardens replete with fountains and pools. It was built during the reign of Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya during 1899-1901 and boasts of grandeur in its every aspect.
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So, which state are you going to visit for your magical honeymoon? Do let us know in the comments section below. Also a fun fact for you – if you are planning to fly to any of these states from anywhere in India, then the air tickets will be free of service tax, which automatically reduces your travel cost and gives you more money to spend over there. Happy honeymooning people!