The most underrated and unexplored region of India is without a doubt the northeast. Comprised of seven neighboring “sister states” and the small mountainous state of Sikkim, and bordered by the countries of Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, China and Bangladesh, these eight states possess a culture far from that which is commonly associated with the country.

The cool mountain temperatures, largely tribal agricultural lifestyle and physical appearance of their people result in a region with more in common to their neighboring countries than to that which they belong themselves.

As one Assamese (individual form the northeastern state of Assam) man told me, “We sometimes feel like we don’t belong when we travel further into India because we look so different.”

While the northeast is both beautiful and culturally rich, the ongoing border tensions deter some tourists. Thankfully I am not easily swayed and planned a trip to Assam this past weekend to witness the cultural festival and celebration of the harvest festival called Rongali Bihu.

Traveling in the northeast can be a little cumbersome if you are traveling to Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh or Mizoram, but thankfully I wasn’t required to have a permit to visit Assam.

Assam is known for being the largest tea-producing region in the world, yet the rich Adivasi (adjective used for Indigenous Indian groups) culture and heritage is not widely spoken of.

In an effort to give these cultures more publicity and encourage tourism in the state and region, multiple organizations came together to form a festival in Guwahati, a city easily accessed by plane and serves as a gateway to neighboring states due to its location.

The festival not only contained replicas of different tribes’ traditional homes — there was typical food from various tribes, traditional handlooms for sale and distinctive performances on stage as well.

One handloom stand owner was very eager to answer all of my questions about the various tribes and their distinctive weaves and style of dress. She even showed me how her tribe’s specific weave was worked on a traditional loom at their stand. Everyone was willing and eager to share their culture and explain its practices to me when I asked and even sometimes when I didn’t.

The friendliness of its people, the complexity and richness of its many cultural identities, and the beautiful landscape are all reasons I would go back to Assam and explore the northeast further. It is a land with a unique blended identity of India and that of a place entirely different. It has piqued my interest and stolen a piece of my heart, and I can’t wait to explore the “uncharted” northeast.