Phawngpui is the highest Mountain peak in the Lushai Hills of Mizoram. It is called the blue mountain because the cliffs adorn a blue haze at the great heights due to a thin layer of clouds that perpetually covers the peak.

A highly revered peak, considered to be the abode of local deities, Phawngpui was a major centre of folk religion and location for folklore stories. The name is derived from the Lai language, ‘phong’ meaning grassland or meadow. The mountain was, according to the belief of the natives, the abode of several spiritual races.

There is a semi-circular series of cliffs on the western side called ‘Thlazuang Khàm’, which have a sharp and deep fall, and serve as the natural home of mountain goats. Phawngpui is home to many other endemic species like the rare Blyth’s tragopan, dark-rumped swift, and Mrs. Hume’s pheasant, slow loris, serow, goral, Asiatic black bear, stump-tailed macaque and capped langur.

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Phawngpui is also a great destination for trekkers. With a height of 2157 metres at the peak, the ridge stretches nearly 10 kms in north-south direction. It is surrounded by sheer precipices and cliffs, of which Thlazuang Kham is the most spectacular one. This breezy ridge is a virtual garden of beautiful flowering trees like rhododendrons and orchids of various hues. One can also get splendid views of blue hazed hills extending to the horizon all around.

Image Credit: netourism

As you journey towards the base of the blue mountain, you will traverse the local culture. People here use a unique devise for transport, which is a wooden platform on wheels. Like a child’s toy, it has a wooden road for steering. Two to three people can mount the platform for short rides across villages.

The Chhimtuipui river flows at the base of the mountain. You have to cross this picturesque river to arrive at the foot of the mystical blue mountains. The closest human settlement is Thaltlang village at the base and periphery of the park.

You need to get a special permit to visit the blue mountain national park. The permit is available at the forest department, or you can also get it at the Aizwal airport. The mountain is open to travellers only from November to April. The nearest railway station is at Silchar in Assam. You can take a taxi from Aizwal or Silchar, but remember to book it for a return trip too, else you may not find any transport to bring you back to civilization.

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