5 places I wish to visit

I don't want to settle in any narrow corner of the world and get confined to any territory. I want to travel the entire world.

Before I step ahead and travel the entire world, I am much eager to explore the place from where I belong - North-East India.

I am born in midst of extreme natural beauty. Greenery, Wildlife, Snow and overflowing rivers are the sites that I have always wanted to dwell across ever since a child. Five places I would like to explore as an amateur traveler are -

1. Sivasagar

Sivasagar is town located in Upper Assam, 360 Kilometers from Guwahati. Sivasagar was previously the capital of Ahom Kingdom. It is the home to many ancient heritages.

Devidol is the temple of Hindu Goddess Durga that has been standing tall for three centuries. The architecture speaks all about the Golden days of Assam History.

Sivadol is one of the tallest Shiva temple of the world. It was built about three centuries back. The center of attraction there mainly is the gigantic architecture and religious values. It has three temples built on the bank of Sivasagar Tank. All the three were built by Queen Ambika, wife of King Shiva Singha.

Kareng Ghar is a four storied building and arranged in gradually receding towers of which only two can be seen.The top floor has a dome like roof with a chamber. The groud floor has three west facing halls with a front and rear chamber. The palace is well secured by digging canals around the place and then building fort like walls around it.

Ranghar is a double storied royal pavilion of Ahom Kings with unique architectural features. It ias an unique amphitheater built by the Ahom Kings, which symbolizes the pride of Ahom Kingdom. It resembles the Roman Colosseum in the fact that Ahom Kings used this as a platform of enjoying sports.  

2. Teesta & Rangit River

The nearest town to access there two rivers is Kalimpong. White Water rafting has been one of my childhood wishes. Rivers for ages have been the arteries of communication and culture, today can be explored for sports and recreation. The spells of swift, intense encounters with foaming, roaring waters are punctuated by many more longer periods of gentle floating with opportunities to observe natural wonders along continuously varying canvas of the river banks. 

3. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam is one of the biodiversity hot spot. The scenic beauty includes a range of forested hills, alluvial grasslands and tropical evergreen forests. The site provides critical and viable habitat for rare and endangered species including tiger, greater one-horned rhino, swamp deer, pygmy hog, and Bengal florican. Manas has exceptional importance with the Indian sub-continents protected areas, as one of the most significant remaining natural areas in the region, where size able populations of large number of threatened species continue to survive.

4. Hornbill Festival

Hornbill festival is celebrated every year in between 1st to 10th December in Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is around 12 Kms from Kohima. The festival shows a melange of cultural display under one roof. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The festival aims to protect the rich and varied culture of the state. The week long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colorful performances, crafts, sports, food, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts include paintings, wood carvings and sculptures. Festival highlights include traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition and sale of arts and crafts, food stalls, Herbal Medicine stalls, flower shows and sales, Cultural Medley - songs and dances, fashion shows, Beauty Contest, Traditional Archery, Naga Wrestling, Indigenous games and musical concert.  

5. Mawlynnong Village

Mawlynnong Village in East Khasi Hills, also referred to as 'Gods Own Garden' , has won the acclaim of being the cleanest village in Asia in 2003. Mawlynnong is located 90 Kms from Shillong and 92 Kms from Cherapunjee. The onus to keep the village clean lies with every person residing in the village. Local cleaning the roads, picking up leaves and throwing garbage in the bin is a common sight. Bamboo garbage bins adorn every nook and corner of the village highlight the consciousness of cleanliness among the villagers. Cleanliness is an old tradition and a way of life for all villagers. The village gives an experience of walking on a live root bridge, 85 feet tall sky walk and a breath taking view of Bangladesh Border. Suprisingly the village has 100 percent literacy rate.

This is a post for Indispire Edition - 8 of Indiblogger. 

I submit this post today on the day of Assamese New Year.