It’s been three days since I’ve ventured out much — the reason is simple. I’ve been enjoying the mist that overwhelms me every morning. I just have to stare outside my window, and the scene is ethereal — there’s mist all over the hills of Aizawl in Mizoram.

The Traven Lodge, where I’ve been staying, sits on top of a hill overlooking the state of Mizoram. The hills are lush green, and it even rains at night. There’s a nice chill and nip in the air, which I find very pleasing. I did manage to take a few walks around a football field just in front of the lodge. It does me good to venture out in the evening — keeps the mind agile and fresh.

Museum

I almost swallowed a sip from a toilet cleaner bottle, mistaking it for a bottle of mineral water. I spat it out immediately and rinsed my mouth ten times to get the taste off my tongue. I must have been in one of my dazed moods. I can be quite absent-minded at night and have been known to do funny things.

The food at the lodge has been fair but not exceptional. I usually have rice, dal, and mutton curry — sometimes a mix that includes fish curry. For breakfast, I’ve been having paratha, toast, and eggs. A few days back, I decided to go out of the city but soon returned as I felt a bit uneasy in my stomach.

The highlight of my day was a visit to the Mizoram State Museum, and it was wonderful. Nestled in the hills of Aizawl, this quiet museum stands as a deeply meaningful repository of the tribal traditions, history, and natural heritage of the Mizo people. For visitors seeking more than superficial sightseeing, it offers a window into the soul of Mizoram.

The museum was established in April 1977 by the Tribal Research Institute under the Education Department. Initially, it operated from a rented building. On 14th July 1990, the museum moved to a purpose-built structure on MacDonald Hill, Aizawl. Over time, with assistance from the Indian Museum (Kolkata) and the Victoria Memorial, many of the galleries underwent renovation and modernisation.

Some of the galleries include the Textile Gallery, Ethnology Gallery, History Gallery, Natural History Gallery, and Archaeology Terrace. The entire collection is spread across four floors and includes thousands of objects, each telling a fragment of Mizo history and the story of its people. There are pictures of the famous bamboo dance, along with the sticks used in the dance. However, parts of the display look dated and a bit haphazard.

The museum is located at Zarkawt on MacDonald Hill Road in Aizawl city. The entry fee is ₹20 for adults and ₹10 for children. The museum is not just a dusty old place but a living archive of the Mizo people. One must also explore the local markets and artefact shops nearby.