Author: Atiqur Rahman
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The first green village of India – Khonoma
Khonoma village, located in Nagaland, was once known as a ‘warrior village’ for the fierce resistance it put up during the British colonial period. Today, the picturesque hamlet is India’s first green village, known for its rich cultural heritage, sustainable farming practices, and strong conservation efforts.
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Mawryngkhang trek celebrates the lore of a love affair
The Bamboo Trek offers an exhilarating adventure through Meghalaya's lush landscapes. This scenic trail takes you through dense bamboo forests, across vibrant hills, and along stunning cliffs. It is not for the faint-hearted.
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Mawlynnong: The village that redefines cleanliness
Mawlynnong, known as ‘Asia's cleanest village’, is a picturesque settlement in Meghalaya. Famous for its pristine beauty, eco-friendly practices, and welcoming community, it offers a unique experience of sustainable living amidst breathtaking landscapes.
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Flying above the abode of clouds
As a child, Maxwell dreamt of becoming a pilot. When that dream didn’t materialise, he discovered paramotoring and found a new way to reach the skies. Now, he’s dedicated to promoting the sport in his home state of Meghalaya.
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Meghalaya’s whistling village, where melody is the language
Kongthong, a unique village in Meghalaya, is known for its whistling tradition. Here residents communicate using personalised whistles instead of names. This distinctive practice, rooted in local culture, highlights the village’s deep connection to nature.
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Key Monastery – The Crown Jewel of Spiti
The grand and majestic Key Monastery, nestled on a hill above the Key Village in Spiti Valley, is an important Buddhist centre. It attracts tourists and astrophotographers alike, who can stay in the monastery guest house and enjoy the local food.
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The silent scream of Noh Ka Likai falls
Behind the breathtaking beauty of India's tallest plunge waterfall lies a heart-wrenching story, one that gives a sorrowful depth to its stunning cascade.
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Gonbo Rongjon: The mountain where people see God
While Tibetan Buddhists of Zanskar Valley hold the mountain in high spiritual regard, many trekkers and adventurists come simply to experience its grandeur. At 5,520 metres, Gonbo Rongjon is impossible to miss in the remote valley.
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Hornbill festival, a unique spectacle of Nagaland’s cultural roots
The Hornbill festival held in Kohima Nagaland from 1-10 December each year showcases the cultural diversity of the region’s 17 Naga tribes. Featuring traditional music, dance, crafts, and cuisine, this year the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary as it offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the rich heritage of the state.
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The river Spiti: a glacial waterbody of the upper Himalayas
Village Square journeys along the river Spiti, in Himachal’s Lahaul and Spiti district, and discovers that though most settlements in the region have sprung up around it, the river itself serves little practical purpose to inhabitants.
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Ogla, the blushing buckwheat blossom
Buckwheat, aka ogla, is mostly known for its grain-like seeds used in cooking. But take a look at its flower! When ogla fields blossom in one of the few places it grows in India, the whole Sangla Valley in Himachal Pradesh blushes pink.
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Gue, and its 500-year-old secret
A Himachali village bordering Tibet attracts people from all over the world for a mummy that was embalmed here many centuries ago. Here are the chief attractions of this place, known as Gue.
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Chitkul, India’s last village
Village Square takes a trip on the old Hisdustan-Tibet road to visit the scenic village of Chitkul. Here’s more on the place.
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Where Buddha meets the stars in a fossil village
The village of Langza in Spiti Valley is becoming popular not just for its sights, but for the fossils of marine animals and plants. Village Square does a recce of the Himalayan hamlet.
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War turns Hunderman into Kargil’s ghost village
Caught in the crossfire between India and Pakistan, residents of Hunderman fled for their lives. Though a few descendants have returned, the village still appears deserted, where a museum stands as testimony to villagers’ memories.
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Phuktal Gompa – Feeling on top of the world at this Ladakh monastery
Phuktal Gompa is a centuries-old monastery in the Zanskar region of Ladakh. Renowned Buddhist scholars and teachers resided in a cave, around which the monastery has been built. The place of retreat, learning and meditation for Buddhist monks is a major attraction for tourists today.