What is North East India Famous For? 20 Things You Must Know

What is North East India Famous For? North East India is famous for many things like the only floating national park in the world, the rainiest place in the world, the cleanest village in Aisa, largest women’s only market in Asia, pleasant weather throughout the year, dowry free region in India, first organic state in the world, the origin of polo, etc. Today, I will show you 20 things you can find only in North East India including its rich floral and fauna, unique cultures, traditions, unique places, etc. Some of them, you may know already but I am sure some will surprise you which makes Northeast India famous. Read till the end to know more.

20 Things North East India Famous For:

I have 20 exciting things that make NE India famous. These unique things will help in your understanding of what is northeast India famous for. If you are a foreigner some things may sound strange however for an Indian it may be unique. Some in the list are the cleanest village in the whole of Asia, plants and animals found only in North East India, Dowry free zone in the whole North East, Unique tribes and cuisine, first 100% organic state, highest literacy states, the most peaceful state in India. The list below is not necessarily in order. Now, let’s go through each of them one by one.

1. Karang Village is India’s first cashless island

The Karang village is an island within the above mentioned Loktak Lake. In 2017, India Govt. announced that the Karang village is India’s first island to go 100% cashless. While visiting the Keibul Lamjao National Park, you can extend your visit to these two villages. Take a look at the beautiful photo below.

It is a remote village in the middle of the Loktak lake. What makes it famous is the remoteness yet the transition to cashless despite most of the income is from agricultural means but from the service sector.

2. Mawlynnong is the cleanest village in Asia

Yes! In India, it lies the cleanest village in Asia. Mawlynnong is located in the state of Meghalaya. Click here to check in Google Map. It is near the border with Bangladesh in the East Khasi Hills District. You might be thinking about super nice highways, sleek-looking houses but no it is about maintaining the village’s cleanliness, management of waste as well as environmental friendliness. It was awarded in the year 2003. It is a primitive type of village, whenever you visit Meghalaya or North-East India don’t forget to check this place out. Generally, the state of Meghalaya is very neat and clean. Certainly, the village of Mawlynnong is making Northeast India famous in India as well in the world.

3. The whole North East is dowry free

For those outside of India, dowry is a horrible system where the bride has to give a huge sum of money to the groom. This system has led to so many family problems where the in-laws treat the bride terribly because of the low amount of dowry. Officially it is not allowed anymore but still widely practiced in most parts of India. Luckily, the whole North-Eastern part of India is dowry free, there is no dowry at all. “Dowry free” is one of the most important unique culture which makes North East India famous for.

4. In khasi community, men leave home to women’s home live with their wives -Things North East India Famous For

This is quite contrary to most of the world where a woman leaves her home after marriage to spend the rest of her life in her husband’s home. In the Khasi community of Meghalaya, the opposite happens. Whether you like it or not, it is a very unique system in the world and is making Northeast India famous in its own way.

5. The only floating National Park in the world

Ahah! You heard it right. The landmass of the Keibul Lamjao National Park is floating around the famous Loktak Lake of Manipur in the Bishnupur district which is also the largest freshwater lake in the North-Eastern region. It is also the only home of the Sangai deer. Only in this park, the Sangai deer is habitable. Many have tried to nourish the deer in other places but it failed to result in the death of the animal. You shouldn’t miss visiting this amazing place.

6. You can go to a foreign country without a passport.

I am not deceiving you by saying this. If you are an Indian and you visit the border town of Moreh in Manipur, you can cross to Myanmar (Burma) to the Namphalong Bazar without a passport which is located in Burma. Even for some day’s visit inside Burma, you will be issued permission without a passport. But for a foreigner, you will need the usual proper documentation. Just make sure that you don’t mess with the permission. If lost anything can happen you know Myanmar has some tough rules.

7. Enjoy water festival in Myanmar.

I know, you might be asking, why Myanmar when we are talking about famous things in North East India. But, this one I have to mention. The water festival locally known as “Thingyan” is celebrated as a New Year for Buddhists. The way it is celebrated is somehow similar to that of the tomato festival in Spain. It is celebrated in mid-April. If you happen to be in Manipur around that time, just try to go there and join the freshness of the water in Myanmar.

8. Sikkim haven’t had gun shot in years – Things North East India Famous For

Even though I can’t confirm this as a fact, one of my friends told me that violence is very very rare in the state. It is one of the most peaceful states in India. Sikkimese people are some of the most polite people you will ever meet. You can enjoy the warmness and friendliness of the people. The state is very cold, make sure you have enough clothes.

9. First organic state in the world – Things North East India Famous For

Can you guess it, the first 100% organic state in the whole world? Hint: Temi Tea Garden is beautiful. Again, Sikkim is the first state in the world to go fully organic. It beat other 52 states from around the world to achieve this feat. It is not only about using organic fertilizers but also change of lifestyle and management of waste in the state.

10. Everyone knows about Assam tea – Things North East India Famous For

Assam tea is famous not only in India but in the whole world. If you are traveling Assam in the daytime, you can see miles of tea gardens all over the state. Assam tea and Assam petroleum are the two major exports of the state. Assam tea from North East is famous all over the world, buy some pure and original one while you are there.

11. India’s best choir is from North East – Things North East India Famous For

Yes! The Cardinal Choir from Mizoram is the best choir in India and it won the Silver award in the 2018 world choir competition. It also won several other world awards. Click here to check for more details.

12. The Polo sport is originated from North East India – Things North East India Famous For

Polo is originated from the State of Manipur. It is locally known as Sagol Kangjei. Sagol means horse and Kangjei is a kind of sport like hockey. It was during British rule, the Brits exported the sport to the whole world. The Mapal Kangjeibung stadium where royal polo played is still here at the center of the Imphal city in Manipur and you can check it out while visiting the state. Click here to check out the location at Google Map.

13. North East India is a powerhouse of Indian sports – Things North East India Famous For

I am from Manipur and growing up, whenever there is a major world sports tournament, we used to feel very happy because our brothers and sisters will win Gold medals and make our state and country proud in front of the whole world but most importantly we will get holiday for it. Manipur is home to many medal-winning athletes. To name a few, Mary Kom, Dinko Singh, Kunjarani Devi, Sarita Devi, Sanjita Chanu, Devendro Singh, Mirabai Chanu, etc. India played the first-ever Football world cup in the under 17 world cup and 8 of them are from Manipur, one from Mizoram. In 1999 Manipur held the National games and that is the only well-established infrastructure it has till now. Using that, it has managed to produce so many quality players. Hima Das shocked the world by winning the 400m race in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Dipa Karmakar is one of the only five women who have successfully landed the Produnova in Gymnastics. Comment down other famous sports persons you think is the best and makes North East famous for.

14. Arunachal Pradesh has one of the cheapest booze – Things North East India Famous For

There is no state tax in Arunachal and it is available in the state. While the neighboring state of Assam costs a can of beer Rs. 120- 160, Arunachal costs only Rs. 50. If you are from India, you can expect the rate to be 1/3 of the rates in your state. Hmmm! Now you are definitely thinking of going there hah? Besides the booze, there are many other beautiful places to visit in Arunachal like Tawang, Mechuka, Ziro, etc. Don’t forget to check the current weather and road conditions before going there.

15. North East India is a mini India in terms of diversity – Things North East India Famous For

India is famous for its diversity in terms of people, culture, language, religion, etc. Northeast India itself is a mini India in that aspect. It has more than 220 ethnic groups and more than 200 languages. In some cases, there may be different languages when you cross from another village to another one. The North-Eastern region has the highest tribal population in India. For this, the Northeastern region of India is famous for being one of the most diverse regions.

16. Manipur hoisted the Indian tricolor for the first time after defeating British India by INA.

During the second world war, the Indian National Army (INA) led by the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bosh with the help of the Japanese army waged a war in British Burma and then the North-Eastern Part of India. After taking parts of Manipur in the battle of Imphal, the Indian tricolor flag was hoisted for the first time in Moirang, Manipur, a liberated land from the British. The INA museum has preserved the details of the battle. You can visit the place while you are visiting Loktak Lake, Karang Village, Keibul Lamjao National Park. They are all in proximity to each other. Even though the Japanese were not liked by the whole world, Indians were getting helped by the Japanese. Cemeteries of the fallen soldiers from both sides are well maintained and preserved to this day.

17. All NE states have international boundaries which makes it very important for the national securities.

The region shares an international border of 5,182 kilometers (3,220 mi) (about 99 percent of its total geographical boundary). Having a formidable rival like China along with the Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh makes the area strategically important to maintain properly. Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar are also known as the Golden Triangle of South East Asia for their drug issues. Manipur is famous for drug-related routes including the border town of Moreh. This part of the region should be fully protected for a good and prosperous India.

18. Majuli is the world’s largest river island – Things North East India Famous For

Majuli is a river island in the Brahmaputra river. It is declared as the world’s largest river island by the Guinness Book of world records. It is also enlisted in the tentative list of world UNESCO site. Majuli has become a full-fledged district with around 1,60,000 people. It is one of the most visited tourist sites. Go and check it out in the beautiful tourist huts you can rent.

19. Mawsynram is the rainiest place in the world.

Mawsynram which is located in the state of Meghalaya is the rainiest place in the world. It has an average annual rainfall of 11,871 millimeters. To give a comparison, India has an average annual rainfall of 300-600 mm. FYI, your average umbrella won’t do any good there. So, bring some tough clothes.

20. Living wood bridges of Cherrapunji – Things North East India Famous For

It is famous for the bridges made from the living roots of woods which are hundreds of years old and it gets stronger and stronger by the years. Cherrapunji is also located near the Mawsynram and as of now, it is the second wettest place on Earth.

There you go, 20 things that make Northeast India famous. I am sure, I can’t include all the incredible things. If you think I have missed something in the list which you think it should be there, comment down below and share your opinion. I will check and try to include it. Before leaving check out this post where I pointed some of the common fears tourists often ask about North East regarding the safety of North East. North-east India is famous in the world in its own way be in its culture, nature, lifestyle, achievements, etc.

What is Northeast India famous for?

Let’s summarize the list which makes the Northeast India famous as below:

• Karang Village is India’s first cashless island.
• Mawlynnong is the cleanest village in Asia.
• The whole North East is dowry free.
• In khasi community, men leave home to women’s home live with their wives.
• The only floating National Park in the world.
• You can go to a foreign country without a passport.
• Enjoy water festival in Myanmar.
• Sikkim haven’t had gun shot in years.
• First organic state in the world.
• Everyone knows about Assam tea.
• India’s best choir is from North East.
• The Polo sport is originated from North East India.
• North East India is a powerhouse of Indian sports
• Arunachal Pradesh has one of the cheapest booze.
• North East India is a mini India in terms of diversity.
• Manipur hoisted the Indian tricolor for the first time after defeating British India by INA.
• All NE states have international boundaries which makes it very important for the national securities..
• Majuli is the world’s largest river island.
• Mawsynram is the rainiest place in the world.
• Living wood bridges of Cherrapunji.