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PLACE
OF INTEREST
There are quite a number of places in Mizoram which may be described
as 'must see' for tourist sports, anyone wishing to see a little
more than the conventional tourist sports, anyone interests to know
about the local culture and traditions is advised/expected to to
do /visit some of the Mizoram's historic memorials and fabled caves
scattered all over the State. Traveling in Mizoram, not unlike in
any other mountainous regions, is pain staking and little hazardous
at times, but it has its own rewards.
Blue
Mountain:
The Highest peak in Mizoram, The Blue Mountain (Phawngpui) is situated
in Chhimtuipui district overlooking the bend of the river Koldyne
(Chhimtuipui) close on the state's border with Myanmar. The peak
2,157 metre in height and encircled by bamboo groves at the top
where there is a level ground of about 200 hectares, offers a grand
view of the height hills and the meandering undulated valleys. The
woods around are home to various species of beautiful and rare flora
and fauna.
Pukzing
Cave:
The largest cave in Mizoram, it is situated at Pukzing village near
Marpara in the district of Aizawl district (Mamit). Legend has it
that cave was carved out of the hills with the help of only a hair
pin by a very strong man called Mualzavata
Milu
Puk:
In the Mizo language, puk means a cave. Situated near Mamte village
over 100 kms, from Lunglei town, the Milu Puk, which is a large
cave, was found many years ago to contain heaps of human skeleton.
Lamsial
Puk:
Sitiuated near Farkawn village in Aizawl (Champhai) district, the
cave as a silent testimony to a battle between two neighboring villages
in which many lost their lives. The bodies of the fighters from
village Lamsial are said to have been kept in the cave.
Kungawrhi Puk: Another cave in Aizawl district, it is situated on
a hill between Farkawn and Vaphai Villages. According to the folktales,
a beautiful young girl by the name of Kungawrhi was abducted and
kept confined in the forlorn cave by some evil spirits when she
was on her way to her husband's village. Kungawrhi, however, was
later rescued by her husband from the prison of the spirits.
Sibuta
Lung:
Erected about three hundreds years ago by a tribal chief, this memorial
stone is named after him. The memorial offer a story of jilted love
and lust for revenge. Having been rejected by a girl he fell headlong
in love with, Sibuta went mad for revenge and decided to raise a
memorial to himself in a manner which displayed an insane mind.
A huge rock awash with the blood of three people sacrificed by Sibuta
was carried over a distance of 10 km from the Tlawng river. Darlalpuii,
a beautiful young girl, was crushed alive in a pit dug to erect
the mausoleum. The memorial was raised over Darlai who lost her
life under weight of the stone.
Phulpui
Grave:
A tale of love and tragedy also hangs by this grave located at Phulpui
village in Aizawl District. Tualvungi, a raging beauty in her time,
was married to Zawlpala, the Phulpui chief. She was later forced
by circumstances to marry Phuntia, chief of another village. But
Tualvungi could not forget her first love. She came to Phulpui years
after Zawlpala's death, hah a pit dug by the side of his grave and
persuaded an old woman to kill and bury there.
Chhingpuii
Memorial:
Raised to the memory of a young woman called Chhingpuii who was
exceedingly beautiful, it is situated between Baktawng and Chhingchhip
villages on the Aizawl - Lunglei Road. Chhingpuii, born to an aristocratic
family, selected Kaptluanga as her husband from among her many suitors.
But her happiness was short-lived, as a war broke out afterwards.
Chhingpuii was abducted and killed. A grief-stricken Kaptluanga
took his own life. The stone memorial reminds one of the legendary
love story of Chhingpuii and Kaptluanga.
Mangkhai
Lung:
A large memorial stone, it was erected about three hundred years
ago at Champhai to the memory of a well-known Ralte chief, Mangkhaia.
Budha's
Image:
An engraved image of Lord Buddha, with those of dancing girls on
either side, was found at a site near Mualcheng Village about 50
km from Lunglei town. The site also has another stone slab on which
some human footmarks and a few implements like spearhead and Dao
are engraved. The area is close to the Chittagong Hill Tracts which
was under which the Buddhist influence a few centuries ago. It is
assumed that some visiting Buddhists from the Hill Tracts were responsible
for the Buddha engraving.
Suangpuilawn
Inscriptions:
A stone slab lie by a stream at Suangpuilawn village in Aizawl district
with strange words inscribed on it. The inscription remain to be
deciphered till date. However, it is believed that the inscription
were done by some people who inhabited the area in ancient times.
Thangliana
Lung:
Captian T.H.Lewin was one of the first Englishmen to come to Mizoram.
The District Commissioner of the Chittagong Hills Tracts, who entered
Mizoram by way of Demagiri (Tlabung) in 1865, became so popular
with the local tribesmen that as a mark of respect, he was called
Thangliana which meant 'greatly famous'. He lived with the Mizos
for nine years and authored the first Lushai book. His memorial
stone at Demagiri remains as evidence of the extent of his popularity
with the Mizos. |