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Kohima
Population : 54000
Languages : Nagamese, Hindi, English, Angami, local dialects
Best Time to Visit : October to April
This picturesque town is the home of the brave and daring,
yet simple and innocent, Naga tribes. Lapped in the eastern
frontiers of the Himalayan mountain range, Kohima is marked
by an unhurried pace of life, calm and serene environs and
fresh, unpolluted air, which make a welcome change for a jaded
city dweller. A typical Naga town, it depicts the exotic tribal
culture of the northeast and offers a panoramic view of the
neighboring hills.
Situated in the southwest part of the northeastern state of
Nagaland, Kohima is a hill station perched at an altitude
of 1500 meters above sea level. This capital town is at a
distance of 339 km from Guwahati, 145 km from Imphal and 74
km from Dimapur. The National Highway 39 connects it to both
Dimapur and Imphal. It experiences around 250 cm of annual
rainfall. While summers are tropical, winters are dry and
bitterly cold.
Places of Interest
The highway from Imphal to Dimapur—the route along which the
Japanese hoped to reach the plains of India—crosses the saddle
at the foot of the World War II Cemetery. These immaculate
gardens stand as a memorial to the Allies who died on this
very spot during the three-month Battle of Kohima that ended
in April 1944. Each grave is supported by a bronze plaque
with a suitable epitaph.
The Catholic Cathedral at Aradura Hill is an important landmark;
it is one of the largest cathedrals in the entire northeast
and is home to the biggest wooden cross in the country.
The Nagaland State Museum, about 1½ km north, is a one-stop
treasure trove where one can get a glimpse into Naga culture
through history. Here one can find dioramas of each tribe
being displayed. The main items exhibited are gateposts, statues,
pillars, jewelry, and a ceremonial drum that looks like a
dug-out war canoe in a separate shed. This canoe suggests
that the Nagas may have originated from Sumatra. The basement
of the museum has birds and animals of northeastern hill states.
The Zoological Park abounds in rich flora and fauna of Nagaland.
Of special interest is the world famous Blythe Tragopan. In
the heart of the town, one can see the last relics of the
Kachari kingdom.
SITES NEARBY
Just 5 km away, on the Dimapur–Kohima Road is Ruzaphema, a
place ideally suited for leisure and recreation with its colorful
bazaars and a wide range of tribal handicrafts that are exquisite
in their style, and unique in their own way.
Around 10 km from Kohima is the village of Khonoma that abounds
in stories of valor and courage. The terraced fields, which
produce 20 types of paddy at different elevations, present
a beautiful view. The Khonoma gate relates the tragic story
of British infiltration into Naga Hills in 1879.
Situated at an altitude of 3,048 meters above sea level, 15
km from Kohima is the Japfu Peak. It is the second highest
peak of Kohima and ideally suited for trekking and scaling.
The sight of Kohima from here is breathtakingly beautiful.
Dzukou valley is one of the best trekking spots in the northeast
region at an altitude of 2,438 meters above sea level, behind
Japfu Peak and 30 km to the south of Kohima. The entire valley
is overshadowed with a type of tough bamboo brush that makes
the place appear like a mowed lawn. White and yellow lilies
and numerous other flowers adorn the valley in summers, while
rhododendrons ornament the hills surrounding the valley.
Mokokchung and Zunheboto, situated 160 and 150 km respectively
from Kohima are picturesque towns at great heights. Mokokchung
is a cultural center of the Ao Nagas. Here the main festivals
of the Aos—Moatsu and Tsungremmong—are celebrated during the
first week of May and August respectively.
Situated at an altitude of 195 meters above sea level is Dimapur,
an important commercial center of Nagaland. Dimapur hosts
the only airport in Nagaland and is also well connected with
the neighboring states of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram by National Highway 39. It
is also the main railhead in Nagaland.
Kohima has been profusely showered with Nature’s bounty. Besides
the varied flora, the fauna of Kohima too boasts of its exotica.
The Fakim Sanctuary, close to the Myanmar border, receives
high rainfall and is inhabited by tigers and hoolock gibbons.
The Pulie Badze Sanctuary is a ringed-in 9-sq-km area that
lies in the proximity of Kohima. Located at a distance of
37 km from Dimapur, the Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary has some
rare species of birds.
WHERE TO SHOP
The Nagaland State Emporium is near the bus stand and one
can buy colorful shawls, bags, decorative spears, wood carvings,
bamboo baskets and other handicrafts from here. Each Naga
tribe has its own distinctive design on its shawls and the
most famous one is the red, black and white Tsungkotepsu of
the Ao Nagas. There are also super markets where one can buy
handloom and handicrafts.
HOW TO REACH
The nearest airport is at Dimapur. Indian Airlines operates
Boeing services from both Calcutta and Delhi every alternate
day. Guwahati and Imphal are also connected to Dimapur by
air. The nearest railhead too is Dimapur, and the Northeast
Frontier Railway runs a number of trains from Dimapur to Guwahati.
Guwahati is in turn well connected to the rest of the country.
Nagaland State Transport runs buses from Dimapur to Kohima
and the journey takes around 4 hours. From Guwahati, one can
find a number of luxury private buses. Taxis and mini-coaches
are also available, albeit at slightly exorbitant rates, from
Dimapur.
WHERE TO STAY
Kohima offers very few choices as far as lodges are concerned.
A few good private hotels and the Tourist Lodge are the only
places to stay. Twenty-five percent of the rent for accommodation
in the Tourist Lodge is required to be paid in advance either
in cash or by money order at the time of booking. Contact
us for hotel booking's and other query...
ENTRY FORMALITIES
Domestic tourists visiting Nagaland require to obtain Inner
Line Permits issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner,
Dimapur; Deputy Commissioner, Kohima and Mokokchung; Deputy
Resident Commissioner at Nagaland House in Calcutta and Delhi;
and Assistant Resident Commissioner, Shillong. A minimal permit
fee is realized from each applicant.
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