Paradise Unexplored
A monthly newsletter for East India
May 2019

Festivals:

Buddha Purnima – 12th May

Buddha Purnima is celebrated as birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha. This festival is celebrated with a special prayer and procession in all the monasteries.

Saga Dawa – 29th May

Saga Dawa for Tibetan Buddhists is among the most sacred months, honouring the enlightenment and commemorating the parinirvana of the Buddha!

Tourist Movement:

The Month of May is a high season period in most places in North East. With the plains reaching high temperatures, the hill stations of Darjeeling & Sikkim and Meghalaya & Arunachal Pradesh are some of the most sought-after destinations for tourists. Please ensure to double check on hotel availability before blocking your air tickets as during this period most hotels are sold out.

Kolkata and South Bengal experiences a low season during this period due to extremely high temperatures and humidity levels.

Permits and Regulations:

PERMIT REGULATIONS FOR FOREIGNERS AND INDIANS

STATE	DOMESTIC	INBOUND
Sikkim	To enter Sikkim no permits are required. For visit to Changu Lake, Baba Mandir, Lachen and Lachung permits are required: Documents to be carried for Tsomgo Lake/Lachen & Lachung 02 copies of passport size photographs, original photo ID proof with photo copy (identity card – Voter ID card / Pass-port / Driving License / Aadhar Card) for processing the permit.	For entering Sikkim, a normal Inner Line permit is required. This permit can be obtained on any one of the following procedures: At the time of applying for the Indian Visa itself, the clients need to mention that they will visit Sikkim and accordingly a 15 days inner line permit is stamped on the visa. On arrival in Darjeeling we need to produce the original passport with valid Indian Visa at the District Magistrates office and a 15 days inner line permit can be granted. It takes half day. While entering Sikkim the permits can be issued on the spot at Rongpoo Check Post (while going to Gangtok) or Melli Check Post (while going to Pelling). It takes 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on group size. A serial numbered form at the check post needs to be filled and submitted along with photocopies of passport and Indian visa and 02 passport size snaps. The following can be granted Inner Line permits to visit Sikkim ONLY by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi or the Indian High Commissions abroad. Foreigners travelling with Diplomat Passports/Official Passport like Red Cross etc. Citizens from Bangladesh, Republic of China, Peoples Republic of China, Pakistan, Myanmar, Taiwan, Nigeria.
Arunachal Pradesh	For Indian Tourist travelling to Arunachal Pradesh is required Inner Land permit which is issued for a period of 30 days. Documents needed are Aadhar card, Driving Licence, Passport, Ration card, Voter ID Card	Foreign tourists visiting Arunachal Pradesh needs Protected Area Permit (PAP)/Restricted Area Permit (RAP). The stay is permitted for a period 30 days. Single traveler is not allowed to travel in Itanagar, Aalo, Pasighat, Daporijo. Few other areas are restricted in the state due to security reasons. Documents needs are valid duly filled Permit form, Passport, valid Indian VISA and International flight tickets (both arrival/departure)
Nagaland	For Indian Tourist travelling to Nagaland is required Inner Land permit which is issued for a period of 30 days. Documents needed are Aadhar card, Driving Licence, Passport, Ration card, Voter ID Card.	Photocopy of Passport and Indian VISA needs to be submitted in all check points while travelling in the state. All foreign nationals have to register themselves at the office of Superintendent of Police (CID/SB) Nagaland who is the designated Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the State within 24 hours of arrival. However, in the following cases, the permit require before entering the state with prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.would be necessary for the foreign tourist (i) If the tourist is a citizen of Afghanistan, China or Pakistan. (ii) Citizens of Myanmar visiting Nagaland beyond 16 Kms from the Indo- Myanmar border.
Manipur	NA	Foreigners visiting Manipur need to register at the the CID Office in Imphal. If spending overnight in Imphal, hotels will assist with the formalities for registration. Foreigners visiting Manipur by Road from Nagaland may register at the Mao Gate check post for immigration check. Foreigners visiting Manipur by Air need to register at the Immigration Counter located at the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal.
Mizoram	For Indian Tourist travelling to Mizoram is required Inner Land permit which is issued for a period of 30 days. Documents needed are Aadhar card, Driving Licence, Passport, Ration card, Voter ID Card.	Photocopy of Passport and Indian VISA needs to be submitted in all check points while travelling in the state. All foreign nationals have to register themselves at the office of Superintendent of Police (CID/SB) Mizoram who is the designated Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the State within 24 hours of arrival. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and foreign nationals having their origin in these countries would continue to require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs before entering the state.

Featured Property :

POLO ORCHID RESORT, CHERRAPUNJEE :

Polo Orchid Resort is a part of the prestigious Hotel Polo Towers Group. This Resort is a rustic-style resort in a tranquil setting of lush green hills and stunning views. A few of the must-visits in Cherrapunji are located in the neighbouring areas of our resort. Visit Mawsmai Falls, Arwai Caves, Nongsithiang Falls and Thangkarang Park while you stay at our luxurious resort.

Experience the unique Meghalaya hospitality at this resort, offering warmth and homely comfort to the guests. Three categories of rooms grace this resort. Misty Mountain Villa, Log Cabin and Dewdrop Cottage are each exclusive room with vibrant interiors and a splendid ambience. The balconies offer a mesmerizing view of the Seven Sister Falls. The rooms are equipped with television, digital safe, Wi-Fi and tea/coffee maker. All the rooms have attached bathrooms with basic toiletries and hot and cold running water. Best in-classroom service is provided to the guests.

Featured Destination :

SOHRA (CHERRAPUNJEE)

An uplands destination of Meghalaya giving abruptly view of the plains, farming fields and valleys of Bangladesh. Cherrapunjee (called as Sohra) is the base to explore some spectacular landscape, waterfall ribbon valley. Once feted as the wettest place on Earth with record rainfall record of 2300 cm, due to the heavy monsoon winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal.

A monsoon paradise in the globe – Cherrapunjee is an ideal destination for this May, to get a break from your monotonous life.

Places of Interest in and around Cherrapunjee

Mawlynnong Village – 90 KMS

Mawlynnong Village has earned the distinction of being the cleanest village in India. It is situated 90 kms from Shillong/Cherrapunjee and besides the picturesque village, offers many interesting sights such as the living root bridge and another strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock.

Living Root Bridges – 15 KMS

Living Root Bridges are built especially using the secondary root systems that grow higher up on the trunk. To prevent these roots from flaring out on all directions and guiding them the right way, hollowed out betel nut trunks are used. Once the roots extend over to the other side of the river, they are allowed to take root. A good sturdy bridge may take anywhere from 10 to 15 years to be completely built and can easily carry the weight of more than 50 people. Since the roots continue to grow, over time this living bridge continues to strengthen as well. Some bridges in this area are more than 500 years old. A special mention goes to the "Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge", which are two bridges stacked up on each other - one of its kind in the whole world, for sure.

Seven Sister FALLS

Known for being one of the tallest waterfalls the Seven Sisters Falls or the Nohsngithiang Falls consists of seven different streams, one of them falling from a height of 250 m.

Dainthlen Waterfalls – 10 KMS

Located at a distance of 5 km from Cherrapunjee, they act as perfect picnic spots, furnishing a pleasant drive full with scenic beauty to look around for, in order to reach here. Rangjyrthej is a village that lies near these falls that is worth a visit. There is an interesting legend associated with the falls. It is believed that people killed a huge snake living in the caves nearby this place and the natural rock carving made by the snake can still be seen.

Eco Park – 2 KMS

Established by Meghalaya Government. It offers a breath-taking view of Sylhet Plains of neighbouring Bangladesh. You will find several varieties of hybrid and indigenous orchids in the green house in the park.

Arwah Cave – 8 kms

The Arwah Lumshynna tourist hub will enable the tourists to have a glimpse of the scenic beauty, cascading waterfalls, ancient rocks similar to the grand Canyons, precipices, caves and recreation parks for Children.

Nohkalikai Waterfalls – 12 KMS

These waterfalls lie at a distance of 5 km from Cherrapunji. They are very popular as they have earned the title of being fourth highest waterfall in the world with a height of 1100 ft. The view of these waterfalls falling off a steep cliff is majestic especially during the monsoons.

Thangkharang Park – 8 KMS

It lies at a distance of 12 km from Cherrapunji. This park is directly under the control of the State forest department. This park overlooks the plains of Bangladesh, and provides a beautiful view of them. There is a nominal entry fee too.

Khoh Ramhah OR The Basket OF The Giant – 7 KMS

If you move a few kilometres ahead from Thangkharang Park, you will spot an enormous stone resembling a Khasi basket. Local people of Cherrapunji believe that a giant used to carry this huge stone and hence its name, KhohRamhah or the Basket of the Giant. KYNREM WATERFALL These waterfalls can be seen from the Thangkharang Park, as they are placed at an altitude of 1000 feet.

Weather Update :

Storm FANI is expected to hit Kolkata and parts of South Bengal on 03rd May and in view of the intensity the airport is going to remain closed and all flights suspended from 2130 hrs on 03rd May till 1800 hrs on 04th May. Guests are requested to stay inside the hotels during this period.

Further the storm is expected to move northwards and hit parts of North Bengal and Sikkim between 04th – 06th May.

Guests traveling between destinations are suggested to travel during morning hours and avoid any movement in the second half. Also based on the weather conditions the sightseeing at these destinations may be curtailed and some points may have to be avoided keeping the safety of the guests on priority.