Welcome to Mizoram

Reiek »

To the west of Aizawl sprawls a prominent mountain on which Reiek village is located. This is one destination that one should not miss visiting. The mountain itself, though appearing to be of gentle slopes on its eastern side, has spectacular rocky cliffs notched with caves and caverns on the southern and western sides. Moreover, it is still largely covered with luxuriant natural forests preserved since the days of the Mizo chiefs. It is only an hour’s drive from Aizawl for which taxis and private buses are available. The mountain road takes one through the lush green hills, crosses the Tlawng river as it gushes though a narrow rocky gorge, and then climbs up the hills winding up gradually to make for a comfortable drive, during which one comes across a few cascades which are a photographer’s delight.

Before reaching Reiek, one enters Ailawng, the village of Khuangchera, the great Mizo warrior of the nineteenth century who was known for his unsurpassed heroic deeds and stubborn resistance to the early British army expeditions that cost him his life. There still exists a cave there that was named after him for only he had the courage to explore it fully in those days of taboos and superstitions.

A typical Mizo village consisting of the distinctive traditional huts of the different Mizo sub-tribes, Mizo chieftain’s house, a bachelor’s dormitory and that of a lonely widow has been created and maintained by the Department of Tourism. The houses are fully furnished giving the visitor a peek into the glorious past of the valiant highlanders. A few Mizo modern houses have also been constructed nearby to show the changes that have taken place in the Mizo way of life in keeping pace with the modern developments. The Department also has a cafeteria and a resort providing decent food and accommodation. This is also the venue for the annual Anthurium festival and the best time to visit would be in April.

The forests in the hills are home to a fascinating variety of hill birds, including the rare Peregrine falcon which one might see perched on a lofty ledge or swooping on cliff swallows. Right on top of the peak is a big boulder jutting out over a high precipice. A folklore goes that this is where Ngaitei, a poor orphan girl, used to sit to watch the swelling Tlawng river that swept away her father, whose spirit continued to live under the water and later threatened to flood Ngaitei’s village unless they throw her into the water so that they would be reunited.