Mizoram's Lianpui Menhirs Join India's National Heritage List - Declared By Archaeological Survey

Big news from Mizoram's quiet highlands - Lianpui village. Nestled near the India-Myanmar border, it has officially joined India's list of nationally protected monuments. Its mysterious stone giants, known as menhirs, have stood in silent rows for centuries, guarding local stories and rituals long before modern maps marked their presence. Now, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has declared this remote megalithic site a Monument of National Importance, bringing long-overdue recognition to the village's rich heritage. This makes Lianpui Mizoram's second megalithic site to receive the honour, following the celebrated Vangchhia's Kawtchhuah Ropui, which earned protection back in 2014.

Also Read: 5 Breathtaking Hill Stations In Northeast India You'll Want To Visit ASAP

About Lianpuri Menhirs - A Living Legacy In Stone:

Lianpui is not just remote, it is quietly majestic. About 54 kilometres southeast of Champhai town, this humble village has watched over its ancient stones for centuries, keeping them safe through community-driven efforts, long before any official tags came into play.

Known locally as Lungphun Ropui ("the grand stone courtyard"), the site features 114 upright menhirs arranged in eight neat rows, half aligned north-south, half east-west. Some of these stones tower nearly six feet tall, and many are etched with carvings of humans, animals, birds, gongs, and mithun heads. Scattered around them are petroglyphs, man-made hollows, and wooden Y-shaped posts, hinting at age-old cultural rites and ways of life.

Historians believe these megaliths were memorial stones, erected to honour heroic deeds or departed souls. They also serve as silent storytellers of Mizo practices before Christianity, reflecting a deeply spiritual, communal era that shaped the region's identity.

Also Read: 8 Incredible Treks In Northeast India That Feel Almost Unreal

Recognition, Restoration And What's Next:

The campaign to protect Lianpui's megaliths began in 2021, when the site was proposed under India's Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Final inspections and consultations culminated in the ASI's official declaration on July 14, 2025, with ASI Director (Monuments) AMV Subramanyam visiting the site to oversee the process.

Now, plans are underway to improve facilities while preserving the site's natural beauty. These include:

• Fencing to protect the stones
• Walking trails for visitors
• Restrooms and signage
• Educational guides or interpretation zones

It is a thoughtful blend of tourism and conservation, ensuring accessibility while keeping the soul of the site intact.

Also Read: This Northeast Indian Destination Is The World's First Fully Organic State: Here's Why

Fascinated By Lianpui Menhirs? Here's How To Reach:

1. Fly to Lengpui Airport in Aizawl, which has direct flights from Guwahati, Delhi, Kolkata and Imphal.
2. Get an Inner Line Permit (ILP) available on arrival or via Mizoram House in major cities.
3. Travel to Champhai by shared sumo, private taxi or limited helicopter service. It is approx 6-7 hrs from Aizawl.
4. Drive to Lianpui Village, which is approx 1.5-2 hrs (54 kilometres) from Champhai. Local taxis are available.

Quick Tip: Don't forget: to carry your ILP and ID prood at all times as permits are strictly enforced.

_{Menhirs and Caves at Vangchhia
Photo Credit: asiguwahaticircle.gov.in}

Meet Vangchhia: Lianpui's Heritage Twin

Just 20 kilometres south, you will find Vangchhia, Mizoram's first officially protected megalithic site. With over 170 stone markers, plus rock shelters, burial terraces and water-harvesting systems, Vangchhia paints a vivid picture of ancestral life through carvings of warriors, rituals and community life. Together, these two sites form an impressive corridor of Mizo megalithic heritage.

Also Read: Shillong Travel Guide: Explore This Northeast Indian Hill Town Like A Local

Final Thoughts:

Lianpui's recognition is a tribute to the people who quietly cared for these stones, and a reminder of India's lesser-known past carved in silent giants. For travellers seeking depth, mystery and stories etched in stone, Lianpui offers an experience that is as soulful as it is spectacular.