My Head In The Clouds
National Geographic Traveller India|August 2017

On a Quest to See a Lily That Is Breaking Down Barriers

Chaitali Patel
My Head In The Clouds

A ball of nervous excitement built up in my stomach as I prepared for my visit to Manipur a few months ago. The state has been a hotbed of political unrest and agitation for years, and my trip included a visit to Ukhrul, a district in the state’s northeast, which until recently was off-limits. While the situation on the ground has improved significantly, tensions still linger beneath the surface of calm. It was fitting that my visit coincided with the Shirui Lily Festival, which celebrates Manipur’s pink-and-white state flower with bell-shaped petals. The Tangkhul Nagas who inhabit the region consider it to be the embodiment of a protective spirit, symbolising happiness and prosperity: two qualities that the people of Manipur hope they will see more of in the coming years.

Shortly after reaching Ukhrul, on a morning plagued by rain and poor visibility, I joined guide Wren Raleng and his group. A 30-minute drive took us to Shirui village for our trek to Shirui Kashong or Shirui peak. It is only in this region that the Shirui lily blooms during the monsoon. However, half way into the trek, I felt miserable with nausea and dizziness. Relang waited patiently by my side. I contemplated turning back, but my sense of pride wouldn’t let me. While I tried to coax every muscle in my body to move, local boys ran past us, and Relang explained that they were competing to see who could climb up and down the peak the fastest. Then came a woman in her 50s, who made her way up hoisting her phanek, a traditional sarong-like skirt up to her knees. That was it—that was all the convincing my muscles needed.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2017-Ausgabe von National Geographic Traveller India.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2017-Ausgabe von National Geographic Traveller India.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER INDIAAlle anzeigen
Best Of The World 2023
National Geographic Traveller India

Best Of The World 2023

Travel inspiration is everywhere. The question is where to go next. Here's our annual list of enlightened destinations for the year aheadplaces filled with wonder, rewarding to travellers of all ages, and supportive of local communities and ecosystems. Framed by five categories (Community, Nature, Culture, Family, Adventure), these destinations are under the radar, ahead of the curve, and ready for you to start exploring.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
November - December 2022
Α ΗΟΜΕ IN THE HILLS
National Geographic Traveller India

Α ΗΟΜΕ IN THE HILLS

Skyview by Empyrean is a onestop destination for adventure and leisure in Jammu

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November - December 2022
ENTER THE PICTURE POSTCARD
National Geographic Traveller India

ENTER THE PICTURE POSTCARD

A stylish luxury hotel in Thimphu's northern outskirts is where illustrious Bhutanese and travellers alike are finding their happy place

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November - December 2022
48 Hours : Seattle Leads The Way
National Geographic Traveller India

48 Hours : Seattle Leads The Way

The jewel of the Pacific Northwest is one of America’s greenest and grooviest culture capitals

time-read
8 Minuten  |
November - December 2022
BIG BINGE: DUBAI FOR THE JET-SETTING GOURMAND
National Geographic Traveller India

BIG BINGE: DUBAI FOR THE JET-SETTING GOURMAND

Delightful degustation menus, French brasseries with art-inspired menus and Japanese diners excelling at nostalgia—the Dubai Food Festival 2022 justified the city’s status as one of the world’s premier food capitals

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November - December 2022
CULTURE COOL - UNDER THE EMIRATI SUN
National Geographic Traveller India

CULTURE COOL - UNDER THE EMIRATI SUN

Home to one of the world’s grandest mosques, an exciting emerging arts district on Saadiyat Island and an entertainment hub promising genuine thrills, Abu Dhabi has arrived in the league of extraordinary family destinations

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November - December 2022
ONLY IN OTTAWA
National Geographic Traveller India

ONLY IN OTTAWA

ACTIVE ADVENTURES, BUZZY BREWERIES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS THRIVING WITH BARS AND BOUTIQUES— CANADA'S BIJOU CAPITAL HAS PLENTY TO DISCOVER BEYOND THE HALLS OF PARLIAMENT

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November - December 2022
OF FRENCH FINESSE
National Geographic Traveller India

OF FRENCH FINESSE

QUENELLE DE BROCHET IS A REGIONAL LEGACY DISH HAILING FROM LYON. THE OVAL, POACHED PIKE DUMPLINGS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN INVENTED BY A PASTRY CHEF TO REGULATE FISH OVERPOPULATION

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November - December 2022
Coorg: A WILD ROAST
National Geographic Traveller India

Coorg: A WILD ROAST

Back in another timber den of Karnataka, native wildlife and humble stories surprise Suhas Dwarkanath as he sips on a bold cup of robusta.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
November - December 2022
DIVING INTO RAS AL KHAIMAH
National Geographic Traveller India

DIVING INTO RAS AL KHAIMAH

THE U.A.E'S NORTHERNMOST EMIRATE IS ALL ABOUT ENJOYING NATURAL TREASURES, FROM SOARING OVER THE AL-HAJAR MOUNTAINS ON THE WORLD'S LONGEST ZIPLINE TO PERUSING PRECIOUS PEARLS BY THE SEASHORE

time-read
6 Minuten  |
September - October 2022