Kolasib - A tete a tete with the city :

Location : North eastern India, Mizoram.

Founded in : 1957

Best time to visit : November to March.

Local Transport : Private Cars, buses.

Places to see : Bairabi Hydel Project, Research Station, and Tlawng River.

Souvenirs : Local Handicrafts, toys, shawls.

Kolasib - The Tale of the city :

History has it that this city was created as the center of the Tribal Development Block in the year 19 57 in the month of October. The Project Executive Officer organized it. In the year 1972, Mizoram became a Union Territory, and Kolasib became the headquarters of the Sub division in the year 1975. In the year 1998, this city became a district after being the headquarters for 30 years. The Government created this district after the Aizawl district got trifurcated.

Kolasib - Down the Ages :

Down the ages, Kolasib the district headquarters of Mizoram has a population of more than 18,000. With the literacy rate a little above 82% which is more than the national average, today it is one of the 8 Mizoram districts in the country. With the Hailakandi district on the north and the northwest side, and the Mamit district on the west and the Aizawl district on the south and the east, and the Cachar district on the northeast, this town is today the administrative headquarters. The district has been divided into three sub divisions - the Kolasib Sadar, Vairengte and Kawnpui. There are two RD blocks - the Thingdawl and Bilkhawthlir so that administration is easier.

Kolasib - A Rendezvous :

A rendezvous with Kolasib, the beauty of Mizoram, revels that the place has a pleasant climate and is a nice place to visit in the months of November to March. The rainy season here is from May to September and this city located 83km from the capital City Aizawl, is slowly growing into a progressive place. The lifestyle of the people here is unique and exceptional. Their faiths and customs are also special. The language spoken by the locals is a mixture of Mizo and English. Coming from the Mongolian breed, the ancestors of the people in Kolasib belong to Myanmar. With agriculture as the main occupation, the people of Kolasib are very warm, loving and down to earth.

Kolasib - Travel kitty :

With all the ingredients to be a place of mixed cultures and interests, Kolasib, the hydel power city is a place with a lot of warmth and love. Zu or tea is a very popular drink here. People here make shawls and Puan which are the main travel kitty. Besides people here also make bamboo items. The Bamboo Popu up Gun is very common in Mizoram and is found here too. It is made out of a bamboo of small length and is used as a barrel. There is a pellet provided such that when the splint is pulled back then the pellet is released out of the barrel. Then there are household items like the Tuium which is a water carrier that is made from bamboo. Then there is Thalangra a tray used for winnowing. The Lushai tribe manufacture this. This triangular shaped tray exhibits the skilful work of the local artisans. This is made out of thin bamboo strips. The locals also make the Vaibel which is a pipe made out of bamboo and the tuibur which is made with a mixture of clay and bamboo. The Vaibel is used by the females and the Tuibur is used by the males. Thus the travel kitty here is very exquisite and unique.

Kolasib - Joie de vivre in the city :

With its mystical surroundings and the emerald green hues, Kolasib the green city is has a paradise kind of ambience with the clouds offering the best view to the tourists. The joie de vivre here is to inhale the lovely surroundings and feel the fragrance of beauty around. One who comes here can see the following:

Rivers :

Tlawng River : This 185km long Mizoram River passing through the Aizawl District is seen from Kolasib also. Lake Tamdil on the banks of this river is a very famous and favourite picnic spot. Also known by the name of Katakha or Dhaleswari, tourists like to go fishing here and it is popular sport amongst the tourist here.

Tamdil : Also known as the Tam Lake, this is a popular picnic spot. With fish and prawns thriving in the natural lake, this is around 85km from Aizawl. Tourists love the beautiful surroundings here. Boat rides and the tranquility around coupled with the nearby jungles with a collection of flora and fauna makes this a favourite.

Vairengte : Situated in the district of Kolasib, this is around 130km from Aizawl. It is an absolute traveler’s dream destination and is completely engulfed in green verdant expanse of vegetation. Thick forests and hilly landscape give this place the ideal requisitions of being a postcard destination. The valleys with mist covering them along with the orchids blooming in plenty compliment the warmth exuded by the locals here. Music and enthusiasm, along with lot of cheer is a way of life here. The natural ambience is beautiful and is infectious. The travelers coming here love the pollution free surroundings and thus consider this as a major tourist spot. This can be easily reached from the Silchar Railway Station.

Phawngpui : This is also called the Blue Mountain and is also the highest peak in Mizoram. At a height of 2157m, this beautiful creation of God is surrounded by bamboo vegetation. It is very near to the Indian border with Myanmar in the Chhimtuipui district near Kolasib. With the River Koldyne flowing through, this vast expanse of around 200 hectares offers the perfect scenic view to the tourist. The flora and fauna are rare species and the peak is also supposed to the abode of Gods. With the beautiful rhododendrons and orchids dominating the mountains, the panoramic view offered by the peak is a thing to take back home as a treasure.

Dampa Sanctuary : This is a very important landmark in Mizoram. This has the best kind of flora and fauna and is home to many wild animals like the leopard, tiger, swamp deer, the hoolock gibbon and the elephant.  Here Phawngpui peak is a tourist favorite and the fragrant herbs found in this sanctuary is also a thing to reckon with.

Regional Research Station : This is a nice and informative centre which deals with the research of rubber. One of the stations for the Rubber Research Institute of India, it is a tourist favorite for the way it functions.

Industrial Estate : This is also visited by tourists to see how it functions. It is a well visited place.

Bairabi Hydel Project : This project is an attempt by the Government to provide power to the KOlasib district and the other parts of Mizoram. It is a worthwhile place to visit and understand the working of the Project.

Kolasib - Entertainment Factor :

The city of Kolasib plays a major role in maintaining the culture and tradition of Mizoram. This state is famous for a good many festivals celebrated for harvest season. All the festivals are celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and joy. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people so; the festivals are also based on this factor. Kut means festivals. So all the festivals in Mizoram are based on the word kut.

Mim Kut : This is the festival of maize harvesting.

Pawl Kut : This marks a function for two days. It is celebrated in December and January.

Chapchar Kut : In this festival there are lot of bamboos that are dried and these are used for the jhum cultivation. This is an ancient festival believed to be existing since the 14th century.

Thalfavang Kut : This is a festival that is celebrated after the weeding process is over. It is a very common part of Mizoram culture.

Christmas : Filled with merriment and joy people of all age groups come and take part in the festive mood. Christmas is celebrated for three days.

As the saying goes “All that glitters can really be golden sometimes!”