08/05/2026
BASKETFUL OF FRESHNESS
Haflong, the headquarters of Dima Hasao district, is the only Hill Station of Assam. Located in the heart of the town, what’s fascinating about Haflong market is its composite character. In a space of 300 square meters, everything—from garments to groceries, meat, fish and a variety of local produce—is available. Even the alleys between the stores are lined with rows of local women vendors on both sides, selling a variety of the freshest locally grown seasonal vegetables, seasonal fruits, pure honey and much more.
But every Saturday, the day of the ‘weekly bazaar’, the marketplace, which is the main trading and retailing hub of the district, transforms into a pulsating tribal market with villagers from various parts of the district trooping in to buy or to sell farm products. It’s on this day that one can find the maximum variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and tribal handicrafts. Vendors dealing in various products arrive at the market in the morning in vehicles of all kinds—trucks, vans, autorickshaws, etc. And soon the otherwise 100 sq feet parking shed gets packed with vendors and buyers. Some of these vendors are from places like Lumding and Lanka in neighbouring Hojai district, while others are from the plains of south Assam, i.e. Cachar district. These vendors from the plains come to sell their products, but there are others who travel the distance to buy hill produce.
Homegrown fresh agricultural produce brought in by local tribal women vendors is the most sought-after by locals and buyers from outside. Their baskets also include wild, naturally grown plants, leaves, mushrooms, and honey. Bananas and other seasonal fruits are in abundance. Local oranges in winter are a big hit, like pineapple is in summer. Apart from these, some very interesting naturally processed food items like dried banana stem, dried colocasia/taro, etc., are available. And for the non-vegetarians, there is the wet market section with a good supply of chicken, mutton and fresh fish, which are mostly brought in from outside the district. Local mutton is also available, and sometimes country chicken too, but it’s the prized local pigs, which make the pork section the most bustling part.
Text and photographs by Uttam Bathari
Follow us on: https://www.instagram.com/discoverindiasnortheast/
For digital copies, visit: https://www.magzter.com/IN/OUTDOORPEOPLE-TOURISM-PROMOTION-PVT-LTD--OPC-/Discover-Indias-Northeast/Travel/?redirect=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawRqOQtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQOVVaSGJxZU5aT1MyRmJXc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhOwSwfCXUcwKQ2XDEGGMKf1B3pN5SpQiQXLv5_ceqNQmKH0cL75vWlsFtjh_aem_b9ZARQBCCHCDO82ypKCrNA
