Dima Hasao: Waterfalls, Mountain Landscapes and Culture

Flowing waters, high-altitude landscapes and traces of the Dimasa kingdom give Dima Hasao a range of travel highlights. Haflong is the district headquarters, Assam’s only hill station, and lies at an altitude of 966 metres. Waterfalls, birdwatching, temples and monoliths offer different themes for a trip through the district.

Water, mountains and nature watching

Panimur Waterfall is in Dima Hasao district, on the Kopili River. Panimur features numerous waterfalls and rapids along the river. The area is used for sightseeing, picnics, camping and other tourist activities. Those interested in river landscapes will find more than just a single waterfall to explore during their stay.

An artificial lake was created in Umrongso by a dam across the Kopili. There is also a natural 18-hole golf course. During their migration from Siberia to South Africa, Amur falcons stop briefly in Umrongso in October and November; resting places for the birds are located there. The Falcon Festival is held at Umrongso Golf Field and includes environmental workshops.

The high-altitude areas also have their own appeal. Thingthubung is in the district and, at 1,866 metres, is the highest peak in the Borail Range. Thuruk is widely regarded as the coldest place in Assam; its sharp drops in temperature are attributed to its altitude and the topography of the surrounding hills. Hangrum lies at the tri-junction of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.

The Hajong Tortoise Lake Biodiversity Heritage Site is in the Langting-Mupa Reserve Forest, about 21 kilometres from Maibang. The lake is a natural habitat for the endangered freshwater Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans). Birdwatching is possible in Jatinga; the best months for it are considered to be August to November. Killing birds there is prohibited.

Culture and historic places

Maibang was the historic capital of the Dimasa kingdom. Its Ramchandi Temple is two-storey and monolithic, carved from a single rock; its inscriptions date to 1761 AD. Maibang is also known for stone inscriptions, ancient monoliths and ruins associated with its historical past.

Panimur is a pilgrimage site for the Dimasa tribe: sacred baths are taken there every Magh Purnima. Laisong, meanwhile, is a cultural centre of the Zeme Naga tribe. The different cultural traditions of Dima Hasao are among the destination’s distinctive attractions.

The Judima Festival in Haflong celebrates Dimasa culture and puts Judima at its heart, the community’s traditional rice wine, which has GI status. The festival includes food offerings and handicraft exhibitions. Its themes bring together culture, crafts and food without requiring any particular dish.

Explore on foot and plan your journey

Haflong can be explored on foot. Options include walks to villages with orchids and shorter treks in the valley; you can also stroll along the shore of Haflong Lake. BendaoBaglai is another place in the district for trekking and hiking. The Bendao-Baglai waterfalls are on the Abong River, about five kilometres from Samparidisa, a village near Haflong.

Dima Hasao has several railway stations served by passenger and express trains; some services come from Guwahati and Silchar. Roads connect the district with Guwahati, Silchar and Lanka. Buses and shared vehicles run there from Assam’s major cities. It is worth checking the specific connections for your travel dates.

Then match the places you want to visit with the appropriate transport connections.

Discover more destinations

Haflong, Jorhat, Sonitpur, North Cachar Hills, Tinsukia, Nagaon, Bongaigaon, Kamrup

For the broader travel overview: Assam.