The Seven Sisters of India - The Northeastern Heritage

Harbatali, Tripura, India

The Seven Sisters of India refers to the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. They are home to some magnificent terrains, exotic flora and fauna, and diverse culture.

• Arunachal Pradesh - Tawang, in Arunachal Pradesh, is the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, unconventionally known for his love of wine, women, and poetry. Arunachal Pradesh is the largest state in the Northeast.It is the lowest population density state in the Northeast. Also known as the Orchid State Of India.

• Assam - Assam is most famous for DigBoi, the world’s oldest operating refinery operating since 1901. Assam has the highest population in the Northeast.

• Meghalaya - Meghalaya is well known for the Living Root Bridge, Indian Rubber Trees with their strong, flexible roots are guided across rivers and streams with the help of bamboo, which dies down, leaving the living root bridge behind.

• Manipur - The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a swamp made of biomass vegetation called phumdis, floating on the surface of Loktak Lake, and is also the only home to the near-extinct brow-antlered deer. 

• Mizoram - A leading producer of bamboo in India, Mizoram is known for Mautam, a deadly ecological and cyclic phenomenon that occurs every 48 years. Mautam is a Mizo word for ‘Bamboo Death’, which is caused by the synchronous flowering of bamboo. The abundant supply of seeds leads to a massive increase in rodent and insect population, which later spreads to crops, thus, causing famines and crop destruction, and other problems as well. Mizoram has the highest literacy rate.

• Nagaland - Manipur and Nagaland were the only two states where World War II was fought in India.

• Tripura - Tripura is well known for its ruling Manikya dynasty, having an unbroken chain of 184 kings before independence. Tripura is the smallest state in the Northeast.

Northeast states boast of their world-famous National Parks such as Kaziranga, Manas, Nameri, Balphakram National Park, etc.Tripura and Mizoram are the two states of the Northeast through which the Tropic of Cancer passes.

There are only 3 Indian states where Christians are in majority and Christianity is the predominant religion. These three states belong to the northeast region. These states are – Nagaland (90%), Meghalaya (70%), and Mizoram (88%).

Seven sister states are known for their colorful festivals :

1. Bihu a harvest festival is popularly celebrated in Assam. 
2. Nagaland has its colorful and vibrant Hornbill festival.
3. Chapchar Kut is celebrated with full enthusiasm and fervor in Mizoram.
4. Dol Jatra and Kut festival is the essence of Manipur and Durga Puja is seen as an important festival in Tripura 

The major classical dance form which becomes a symbol of representation of northeast India is Manipuri.Guwahati is called a gateway to northeast India. Guwahati is the biggest city of seven sisters in terms of infrastructure, population, and resources.

These were some of the interesting facts about the seven sisters of India. They hold significant cultural, economic, and even diplomatic positions and one of the most beautiful states in India given its natural landscape and different tribal communities.

- Written By Tanu

- Edited By Vijaya