Bollywood makes beeline for North East India
These untouched and enchanting destinations of North Eastern states may have graced the silver screen but still remain off the beaten path for most travellers
Over the last decade, with the arrival of online streaming platforms and content driven cinema, many filmmakers have attempted to discover lesser-known locales to enhance their cinematic narratives. This exploration has brought the untouched and pristine beauty of North East India to the forefront.
These untouched and enchanting destinations of North Eastern states may have graced the silver screen but still remain off the beaten path for most travellers, which makes them perfect for a cinephile’s travel itinerary.
Majuli Island, Assam
Majuli Island has become famous around the world as a bird watcher’s paradise (Photo: Wikimedia/Udit Kapoor)
Best known for the Kaziranga National Park, Assam also nestles a plethora of concealed paradises filled with diverse flora and fauna, unique culture, and beautiful landscapes. With a total area of 352 sqkm, Majuli Island is the world’s largest river island formed by the Brahmaputra River in the south and its anabranch, Kherkutia Xuti, and Subansiri River in the north.
The island offers travellers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and culture of Assam, with its 22 monasteries, such as Vaishnava Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Garamurh Satra, Kamalabari Satra, each embodying centuries of Assamese Vaisnavite heritage.
Beyond spirituality, Majuli Island has become famous around the world as a bird watcher’s paradise, as it is home to numerous species of local and migratory birds and one can expect to see storks, pelicans and Siberian cranes during winter. On village tours here, tourists can experience the beautiful traditions and practices of Assamese people including the opportunity to try their hand at the ancient craft of hand-looming.
A treasure trove of culture, nature and spirituality, Manjuli Island was featured in the Kabir Khan directorial web-series, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye, based on the life of the men and women in the Indian National Army (INA) led by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose.
How to get there?
The most common way to get to Majuli Island is by ferry from the closest big city, Jorhat, that is an hour away.
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang is also an ideal destination for thrill seekers as it offers hikes to the breathtaking Gorichen Peak (Photo: Wikimedia/Arkadipta Chandra)
Featured in Laal Kaptaan, a 2019 Hindi-language action-drama film helmed by Saif Ali Khan, Tawang is a small district in Arunachal Pradesh, endowed with abundance of natural beauty, cool temperatures and historical significance.
The quaint hill station is dotted with stunning natural wonders including glacial lakes with crystal blue waters, some of them being Sela Lake, P T Tso Lake, Sangetser Lake, and Banggachang Lake; and several Buddhist monasteries. The quiet abode, hidden away by the Gudpi and Con-Chugmi ranges, is a perfect place for people trying to get away from the noise and hustle of big cities.
Tawang is inhabited mostly by the Monpas tribe, except the village of Shyo, which is dominated by the Tibetans. It also hosts two grand religious festivals of the Monpa tribe, namely, Losar and Torgya. Losar is a 15-day festival that celebrates the commencement of the Monpa New Year and Torgya is a three-day celebration held for protecting the people from natural calamities.
Tawang is also an ideal destination for thrill seekers as it offers hikes to the breathtaking Gorichen Peak and enthralling sports like skiing during winters.
How to get there?
The most convenient way to get to Tawang is to fly into Tezpur and embark on a six-hour-long drive.
Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Seven Sisters Waterfall is the fourth highest waterfall in India (Photo: Wikimedia/ Rishav999)
A small town in ‘the abode of clouds’ Cherapunji is a destination enticing for its breath-taking waterfalls, unique living root bridges, rich culture and scenic landscapes. The town, until recently acclaimed as the ‘wettest place on earth’ is located atop the Shillong plateau, 54 km southwest of the capital of Meghalaya.
Cherrapunji provides tourists a chance to explore some magnificent natural wonders, namely, Khasi Monoliths, stone structures scattered around, standing as a tribute to the Khasi tribe, the Seven Sisters Waterfall, fourth highest waterfall in India and the Double Decker Living Root Bridges. Unique to the North East, these picturesque bridges were built by the Khasi tribe from ancient rubber trees grown over centuries.
Some other note-worthy attractions in Cherrapunji include the longest cave systems of India, Mawamai Cave, and Mawsynram, a quiet but picturesque village located in East Khasi hills. Mawsynram is said to be a haven for nature lovers with its lush green forests and distinctive flora and fauna.
While exploring the numerous tourist attractions of Cherrapunji, Bollywood buffs will also come to recognise the locations featured in the 2012 Bollywood movie, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Illeana Dcruz and Priyanka Chopra, Barfi!
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Cherrapunji is by taking a taxi from Shillong. The journey by road takes about 2 hours.
Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro is also home to the Apatani tribe, known for their unique cultural practices.
A beautiful town, known to host one of India’s prominent music festivals, the Ziro Festival of Music, is rapidly gaining popularity among tourists as an ideal summer escape. The valley town is also famous for its sprawling rice fields and mist covered hills, offering spectacular views to tourists.
The Ziro Music Festival, held in September attracts music lovers, folk artists and music bands from all parts of India and abroad, filling the valley with vibrant colours, soulful music and the joyful chatter of artists.
Ziro is also home to the Apatani tribe, known for their unique cultural practices. Travellers can deep dive into the distinctive traditions and way of life by exploring local villages, and participating in indigenous festivals. The valley also has a lot to offer to adventure seekers as the region is filled with trilling treks leading to panoramic views, remote villages and cascading waterfalls.
Stunning views of this quaint little valley town recently graced the silver screen as a backdrop for the Varun Dhawan starrer Hindi-language comedy-horror film, Bhediya.
How to get there?
The closest airport to Ziro valley is Tezpur airport, six hours away by road.
Mokokchung, Nagaland
While the centre of the district is one of the most important urban centres of Nagaland (Photo: Flickr/Shreyas Jayappa)
Mokokchung is one destination ideal for travellers seeking a serene and peaceful escape. While the centre of the district is one of the most important urban centres of Nagaland, as one passes through it, deeper into the territory the hustle and bustle is taken over by calming sounds of rivers, cool winds and magnificent views.
The district inhabited by the Ao Naga tribe, tourists can explore their culture and practices at the Ao Museum showcasing their traditional attire, artefacts and intricate wood carvings narrating the history of the Ao people.
Popular tourist spots of the region include Town Park, Unman village, the oldest and largest village of the Ao tribe and other places in the district, namely, Langpangkong and Mopungchukit and more.
The picturesque locations of the city have also been featured in the Dulquer Salmaan led Malayalam film, Blue Sky, Green Sea, Red Earth, and the Hindi-language web-series premiered on Amazon Prime, Farzi, featuring Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi.
How to get there?
The nearest airports to Mokokchung are in Dimapur, about 210 km and Jorhat.
Even though parts of North East India have turned into popular tourist destinations in the last decade, attracting filmmakers and travellers alike to experience its beauty and culture. However, many parts of the region still remain unexplored due to inaccessibility, climate and other reasons making it a perfect, untouched, hidden paradise waiting to be discovered.
