Tracing Myths & Mountains
Nagaland wasn’t always at the top of my bucket list. Like many, I knew it for its hills and its festivals, but my curiosity was truly ignited by something much older: a fascinating thread connecting this distant land to the ancient epic of the Mahabharata. We often hear stories of the Pandavas, but the idea that their exile unfolded right here in the Northeast was a pull I couldn't resist. The Ancient Connection: Bhima, Hidimba, and Dimapur What resonated with me most deeply was the local connection to Hidimba and Bhima. The Dimasa Kachari people of this region consider themselves descendants of Ghatotkachh. Yes.the son born of that union. Walking through Dimapur , our entry point into the state, felt like walking through layers of time. Many believe the city’s name evolved from Hidimbapur, the land of Hidimba. The connection is so strong that even today, Dimasa families in Assam and Nagaland travel all the way to Hidimba’s temple in Manali, honoring her not jus...