PLACE OF INTEREST IN MIZORAM

C. Lalremruata
Director
Zo Indigenous Forum
[email protected]

There are quite a number of places in Mizoram which may be described as 'must see' for
tourist sports, anyone wishing to see a little more than the conventional tourist sports, anyone inter-
ests to know about the local culture and traditions is advised/expected to to do /visit some of the
Mizoram's historic memorials and fabled caves scattered all over the State. Traveling in Mizoram,
not unlike in any other mountainous regions, is pain staking and little hazardous at times, but it has
its own rewards.

Blue Mountain: The Highest peak in Mizoram, The Blue Mountain (Phawngpui) is situated in
Chhimtuipui district overlooking the bend of the river Koldyne (Chhimtuipui) close on the state's
border with Myanmar. The peak 2,157 metre in height and encircled by bamboo groves at the top
where there is a level ground of about 200 hectares, offers a grand view of the height hills and the
meandering undulated valleys. The woods around are home to various species of beautiful and rare
flora and fauna.

Pukzing Cave: The largest cave in Mizoram, it is situated at Pukzing village near Marpara in the
district of Aizawl district (Mamit). Legend has it that cave was carved out of the hills with the help
of only a hair pin by a very strong man called Mualzavata

Milu Puk: In the Mizo language, puk means a cave. Situated near Mamte village over 100 kms,
from Lunglei town, the Milu Puk, which is a large cave, was found many years ago to contain heaps
of human skeleton.

Lamsial Puk: Sitiuated near Farkawn village in Aizawl (Champhai) district, the cave as a silent
testimony to a battle between two neighboring villages in which many lost their lives. The bodies of
the fighters from village Lamsial are said to have been kept in the cave.

Kungawrhi Puk: Another cave in Aizawl district, it is situated on a hill between Farkawn and
Vaphai Villages. According to the folktales, a beautiful young girl by the name of Kungawrhi was
abducted and kept confined in the forlorn cave by some evil spirits when she was on her way to her
husband's village. Kungawrhi, however, was later rescued by her husband from the prison of the
spirits.

Sibuta Lung: Erected about three hundreds years ago by a tribal chief, this memorial stone is
named after him. The memorial offer a story of jilted love and lust for revenge. Having been rejected
by a girl he fell headlong in love with, Sibuta went mad for revenge and decided to raise a memorial
to himself in a manner which displayed an insane mind. A huge rock awash with the blood of three
people sacrificed by Sibuta was carried over a distance of 10 km from the Tlawng river. Darlalpuii,
a beautiful young girl, was crushed alive in a pit dug to erect the mausoleum. The memorial was
raised over Darlai who lost her life under weight of the stone.

Phulpui Grave: A tale of love and tragedy also hangs by this grave located at Phulpui village in
Aizawl District. Tualvungi, a raging beauty in her time, was married to Zawlpala, the Phulpui chief.
She was later forced by circumstances to marry Phuntia, chief of another village. But Tualvungi
could not forget her first love. She came to Phulpui years after Zawlpala's death, hah a pit dug by the
side of his grave and persuaded an old woman to kill and bury there.

Chhingpuii Memorial: Raised to the memory of a young woman called Chhingpuii who was ex-
ceedingly beautiful, it is situated between Baktawng and Chhingchhip villages on the Aizawl - Lunglei
Road. Chhingpuii, born to an aristocratic family, selected Kaptluanga as her husband from among
her many suitors. But her happiness was short-lived, as a war broke out afterwards. Chhingpuii was
abducted and killed. A grief-stricken Kaptluanga took his own life. The stone memorial reminds one
of the legendary love story of Chhingpuii and Kaptluanga.

Mangkhai Lung: A large memorial stone, it was erected about three hundred years ago at Champhai
to the memory of a well-known Ralte chief, Mangkhaia.

Budha's Image: An engraved image of Lord Buddha, with those of dancing girls on either side, was
found at a site near Mualcheng Village about 50 km from Lunglei town. The site also has another
stone slab on which some human footmarks and a few implements like spearhead and Dao are
engraved. The area is close to the Chittagong Hill Tracts which was under which the Buddhist
influence a few centuries ago. It is assumed that some visiting Buddhists from the Hill Tracts were
responsible for the Buddha engraving.
Suangpuilawn Inscriptions: A stone slab lie by a stream at Suangpuilawn village in Aizawl district
with strange words inscribed on it. The inscription remain to be deciphered till date. However, it is
believed that the inscription were done by some people who inhabited the area in ancient times.

Thangliana Lung: Captian T.H.Lewin was one of the first Englishmen to come to Mizoram. The
District Commissioner of the Chittagong Hills Tracts, who entered Mizoram by way of Demagiri
(Tlabung) in 1865, became so popular with the local tribesmen that as a mark of respect, he was
called Thangliana which meant 'greatly famous'. He lived with the Mizos for nine years and authored
the first Lushai book. His memorial stone at Demagiri remains as evidence of the extent of his
popularity with the Mizos.

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