If you are a nature lover, an adventurer, or a connoisseur of ethnic food and locally prepared wine, then Dima Hasao is the best place for you to be. Manisha Das, director of Solitude Travel Solutions writes about this mesmerizing travel destination for Discover East.
Haflong
Haflong, the only hill station of Assam which is the main tourist hot-spot of the Dima Hasao district. It is the district headquarters of Dima Hasao and is very close to the Barak Valley. The town of Haflong is set amidst lush green hills. At an altitude of 512 meters, Haflong is cool, picturesque and ideal. Haflong hill station has a very rich cultural heritage.The nature lovers are sure to be allured by this place.
Jatinga
When we speak about Haflong, the first destination that comes to our mind is Jatinga. The mysterious village which is regarded as the death valley for birds. Over the last 100 years, thousands of birds have flown to their death over a small strip of land in Jatinga. This mysterious phenomenon takes place usually in the months of September to October, mostly on ghastly moonless nights. Strangely becoming disoriented, the birds plunge head first toward the torches and lights. This bizarre Bermuda Triangle of fowl death remains largely unexplained, despite studies by India’s most prestigious ornithologists.
Samparidisa
There is a village named Samparidisa which has been declared as one of the Swach villages of Assam by the state government. It is just 13 kilometres from the town of Haflong. The village is a must go destination for adventure lovers and nature admirers. Bendao Baglai, a waterfall which is located around 3 kilometres from this village is a prime attraction. And the trekking route is well appreciated by nature lover. This area is also home to three magnificent waterfalls nestled amid the lush green forests of Dima Hasao.
The Ethnic Village
Another model village which is nearby the town of Haflong is The Ethnic Village near Jatinga is the latest tourist attraction that has come up in Haflong. One can experience the blend of different cultures and traditions which make the trip to this place very interesting. You will also find the traditional dorms and houses belonging to several tribal groups of the region. This place reflects the day to day lifestyle of the people living here and the traditions they follow. This village is being maintained by the Department of Forestry and is constructed under Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana.
Maibong
Another place of interest nearby Haflong is Maibong or land of prosperity, which is located at the bank of River Mahur and houses few of the historical ruins and sculptures dating back to the period when it was the capital of the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom. The most popular is “Stone House” (In Dimasa it is called “Longthai ni Noh“) . It is also called the Ranachandi Temple, situated on the bank of Mahur River on south Maibang. There are also many beautiful waterfalls like the Didaodip Waterfall which is situated about 5 kilometres away from Didaodip village near NH-54 Maibang which has enchanting breath-taking view for all persons who love nature.
Umrangso
About 112 kilometres from Haflong, there is a small industrial town, which is also a well known tourist spot, by the name of Umrangso. This place is ideal for nature lovers and it is a very serene location to spend a few relaxing days amidst the bounty of the nature. The lake in Umrangso is a major place of attraction for tourists. From the month of November , Umrangso acts as a host to many migratory birds from around the world. The most famous is the Amur Falcons, which make a stopover for one and a half months in this beautiful place. Keeping in view of the movement of Amur falcons, the NC Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) has been organizing Falcon Festival for the last several years. On the way from Haflong to this serene place called Umrangso , there lies a small village called Dehangi. It is famous for the annual angling festival and tournament in the Diyung river.
Panimur
Situated about 120 km away from Haflong, there is the gushing milky white waterfall called Panimur which is an ethereal beauty which is termed as Niagra of Assam . The panoramic view of the scenery attracts a number of nature lovers and photographers into this place. This place has also been the locations for some Bollywood movies (Rangoon Recently). On the way to this serene waterfall one has to pass by the village of Diyungbra which gives one the experience of a journey with serenity all around. The picturesque view of the sunlight peeping through the trees falling on the road gives one a feeling of enchantment.
The Tracks
As they say, the journey is more important than the destination, the biggest plus point of this hill-station is that it is connected by railways! One can experience the train journey through the beautiful lush green zigzag hills. And specially when the meter gauge train crosses the age old bridge.
In conclusion, Dima Hasao is a promising destination with many serene and beautiful places to be explored. It is also a perfect destination for adventure lovers as many adventure activities are available in this destination. Among which is paragliding, which is recently introduced in Gunjung near Haflong.
Note: To explore and experience the serenity of Dima Hasao and to blend in with the local culture and have a taste of the local food and beverages especially Judima, one needs a minimum of two nights stay in Haflong.
This write-up about Dima Hasao was given to us by Manisha Das, Director of Solitude Travel Solutions. For all your travel needs, give a call or drop a message to Solitude Travel Solutions on +9170024 14450.
