What are the Seven Sisters of Incredible India?

Published in the Sunday Mumbai Samachar on 7 January, 2024

Let’s jet off to the North East of India today and as always, we’ll keep it simple. Let’s first start with this are the seven states of North East India? Or let me put it this way. Why are they called the Seven Sisters of Incredible India? So let’s dive in.

The "Seven Sisters of India" is a term used to collectively refer to the seven northeastern states of India. These states are located in the northeastern part of the country and share borders with other countries such as Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The term "Seven Sisters" is often used to emphasize the cultural, geographical, and historical uniqueness of this region. The seven states that make up the Seven Sisters of India are: 1. Arunachal Pradesh 2. Assam 3. Manipur 4. Meghalaya 5. Mizoram 6. Nagaland 7. Tripura.

Each of these states has its own distinct culture, language, and traditions. The region is known for its lush green landscapes, rich biodiversity, and a mix of indigenous ethnic communities. The northeastern states have made significant contributions to India's cultural diversity and are known for their festivals, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine. But that is not all. The Seven Sisters region is also sometimes expanded to include an additional state:

Sikkim: Sikkim is located to the west of the Seven Sisters and shares cultural and geographical similarities with the northeastern states. It is often considered the "eighth sister."

This region is relatively less explored by tourists compared to other parts of India but as we at Veena World have see lately, this regioin is gaining popularity for its natural beauty, wildlife, and adventure tourism opportunities. It is an essential part of India's cultural and geographical diversity, and its remote and picturesque landscapes are gradually becoming more accessible to travelers.

Now that we have established this, let’s dive a little deeper into the term; Seven Sisters.

The term "Seven Sisters of India" is a colloquial and informal way of referring to these seven northeastern states of India. The name "Seven Sisters" is derived from the fact that these states are located in the northeastern part of India and are geographically connected to one another, resembling a group of siblings or sisters.

The term was coined to emphasize the cultural, geographical, and historical uniqueness of this region, which is distinct from the rest of India in many ways. These states share common features, including their hilly terrain, lush green landscapes, rich biodiversity, and a mix of indigenous ethnic communities with unique languages and traditions. The region has a unique history and has been historically isolated from the Indian mainland due to its challenging terrain. And it is definitely a term that has stuck on. Because today, hundreds of Veena World travellers often have ticking off the seven sisters on their travel bucket list instead of individual states.

Now that we have established this, let's explore some fascinating facts of the Seven Sisters.

1. Arunachal Pradesh:

- Arunachal Pradesh is often referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun" because it is one of the easternmost states in India, receiving the first rays of the morning sun.

- The state is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including the Tawang Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in the world.

- It is home to diverse indigenous tribes and boasts a rich cultural heritage.

2. Assam:

- Assam is famous for its tea plantations, and it is one of the largest tea producers in the world. The state is known for its Assam tea, which is renowned for its strong, robust flavor.

- The Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

- Assam is known for the annual Bihu festival, a series of festivals marking the Assamese New Year and celebrating the state's agricultural cycle.

3. Manipur:

- Manipur is often called the "Land of Jewels" because it is known for producing unique and beautiful varieties of orchids.

- The state is famous for its traditional martial art form called "Thang-Ta" and the classical dance style known as "Manipuri dance."

- Manipur is also home to the Loktak Lake, known for its floating islands called "phumdis."

4. Meghalaya:

- Meghalaya holds the record for being the wettest place on Earth. Cherrapunji and Mawsynram, both in Meghalaya, receive some of the highest annual rainfall in the world.

- The state is known for its living root bridges, where the roots of trees are trained to form natural, sturdy bridges across rivers.

- Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is often referred to as the "Scotland of the East" due to its picturesque landscapes.

5. Mizoram:

- Mizoram is known for its lush green hills and dense forests, making it a beautiful destination for nature lovers.

- The state has a majority Christian population and celebrates various Christian festivals with enthusiasm.

- Mizoram is famous for its bamboo and bamboo-related products, which are an integral part of the local culture and economy.

6. Nagaland:

- Nagaland is known for its vibrant tribal culture and is home to numerous indigenous tribes with unique customs and traditions.

- The state is famous for the Hornbill Festival, a colorful celebration of Nagaland's tribal heritage, which features traditional dances, music, and crafts.

- Nagaland is renowned for its spicy cuisine, especially its use of the fiery Naga chili peppers.

7. Tripura:

- Tripura is known for its rich cultural heritage, with influences from Bengali and tribal cultures.

- The state's Ujjayanta Palace, located in the capital city of Agartala, is an architectural marvel and now houses the Tripura State Museum.

- Tripura is famous for its handicrafts, including bamboo and cane products, which are widely sought after.

These interesting facts highlight the cultural diversity, natural beauty, and unique aspects of each of the Seven Sisters states, making the region a fascinating and culturally rich part of India.

And now that we know more about these Seven Sisters, what I have done is that I have created a unique specialized bucket list for you. It’s a list with a least one bucket list travel item for you to tick off when you plan your travel to the Seven Sisters. Let’s being:

* Assam has the One Horned Rhino.

* Arunachal Pradesh, as I mentioned earlier has India’s easternmost point, Kibithoo where India receives the first rays of the sun every morning.

* Meghalaya: the phenomenal living root bridges.

* Manipur: World’s only floating national park - Keibul Lamjao National Park which floats on Loktak Lake

* Mizoram: Solomon’s Temple, which actually is a church, all made in beautifully crafted marble.

* Nagaland: Hornbill festival.

* Tripura: You can experience the Indian Border Security Force’s Flag Down parade at the India-Bangladesh border here.

So in conclusion, the Seven Sisters of Incredible India have a bit of everything and offer a journey, that itself is an offbeat experience. Now before you go, let us leave ask you with something interesting.

How many states of Incredible India have you been to? How many countries have you been to? What are the states and countries that are on your bucketlist? What are your travel resolutions for this year? These are questions that we ask each other at Veena World every single day. The Veena World Tour Managers ask them questions to all guests while they are celebrating life on tour. And I’m sure you ask these questions to your loved ones too. So the technology team at Veena World noticed this, and got excited. They got so excited that they created a fun travel portfolio game out of it. And all 700+ team members have already played this game. Thousands of Veena World guests have taken the game and found out there Incredible India state score and their countries travelled to score. So before I go today,I think you should play it too. Scan the QR code below and let’s get playing:

What was your score like? How many countries have you been to? How many states have you been to? When are you going to complete 25/50/75/100 countries? I would love to hear about your travel mission, so do write to me at neil@veenaworld.com So now that our game is done, let’s shift our attention to a place that is on my bucketlist for 2024.