Nagaland: The Land of Nagas

Tucked away in the remote northeast corner of India, Nagaland sums up steep hills, green-carpeted valleys and exotic tribes. A land of folklore passed down the generations through word of mouth. Here, music is an integral part of life; folk songs eulogizing ancestors, the brave deeds of warriors and traditional heroes; poetic love songs immortalizing ancient tragic love stories; Gospel songs that touch your soul (should you have a religious bend of mind) or the modern tunes rendered exquisitely to set your feet a-tapping. Nagaland is an isolated hill station still unpolluted by the encroachment of tourists. Therefore, unlike other popular hill stations, Nagaland is not endowed with five star hotels.

Kohima, the capital of Nagaland is located in the north-eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. The name 'Kohima' has been derived from the name of a plant called 'Kew Hi', which thrives in the mountainous region. Kohima is a fascinating place, endowed with a lot of natural beauty. The nearest airport is located at Dimapur at a distance of 74 kms.
Tourist places in Nagaland include the Tribes, Kohima Village, Shangnyu Village, Japfu Peak and World War 2 cemetery. Other tourist attractions in Nagaland include: Nagaland State Museum, Dzukou Valley, Intangki Wildlife Sanctuary, Fakim Sanctuary and many other tribal villages.

More facts:

Capital: Kohima
Closest airport: at Dimapur (74 kms away)

Official languages: Ao, Konyak, Angami, Sema and Lotha

Top Attractions:

Dzukou Valley:

Tucked away behind the Japfu range and about 30 kms from Kohima is a picturesque valley that bursts into a valley of flowers in the months of June and September. Rhododendrons, orchids, lilies in pink and white are a delight for every nature lover. A trekker's ecstasy, Dzukou Valley offers excellent trekking spots. The swirling streams of the valley freezes during the winter covering the trees with snowflakes, a beauty that lies only in the eyes of the beholder.

Nagaland State Museum:

The State Museum in Kohima exhibits a rare collection of articles of different tribes which portrays the history and traditions of the Nagas. The Nagaland State Museum, about 1 1/2 km north, is an invaluable treasure trove where one can get a glimpse into Naga culture through history. One can find panorama of each tribe being displayed. The Naga architecture, social hierarchy, custom, and culture are displayed in. The main items exhibited are gateposts, statues, pillars, jewelry, and a ceremonial drum that looks like a dug-out war vessel in a separate shed. These vessels suggest that the Nagas may have come from Sumatra. The basement of the museum houses birds and animals of northeastern hill states, especially those prevalent to the region.


Japfu Peak:

offers breathtakingly stunning view of the Himalayan peaks beyond the sprawling Kohima town. Amidst the Japfu range, the visitor can find the 109 feet tall Rhododendron Tree, which finds a place in the Guiness Book of World Records. The girth at the base of the tree measures more than 11 feet. When it is in bloom, it is indeed an optic feast.

Kohima village & the War cemetery:

Offers visitors a different world - a world different from the one all of us are accustomed to. During the World War II, the combined troop of the British and the Indians halted the Japanese warriors in Kohima. Kohima was a historic witness to the bitter fight during the Second World War and the war cemetery, surrounded by manicured greenery, stands today as a reminder to those days of horror.