Nagaland, the hilly region in the northeast of India, makes an amazing tourist destination with its majestic hills and breathtaking valley. The serence atmosphere makes you unwind and relax, the exquisite landscapes and beautiful sunrise and sunsets elevate your spirits to a different plane, and the hilly region makes it a perfect places for adventurous activities like trekking, jungle, camping and rock climbing. Here are the top 9 destinations in Nagaland.
1. Naga Heritage Village :
Naga Heritage Village also known as Kisma Heritage Village is only one in Nagaland. The places is wrapped in breathtaking scenic views at the foothills of the lustrous and evergreen hills on the borderline of the village. It is surrounded by all types of flora. Naga Heritage Village is rich in its traditions and culture activities. Being one of the prime tourist attractions, the village sees hundreds of tourist round the year. Visiting this place is an experience of one of its kind and probably different from any part of the country. Its rich heritage speaks volumes about its cultures and customs. On visiting, you will see the unique thatched roofs on the traditionally built houses, its wooden walls and delicately and neatly done carvings of different designs – all of it has an age old rural essence. You will feel living just simply in a different era in your lifetime.
Popular things to do & see in and around :
Watching the stadium where the Hornbill Festival takes place is quite exciting. Once in a lifetime experience is to see this festival live. The other places to visit are Japfu Peak- the secand highest peak in Nagaland Barra Basti opens from 6am, Dzukou Valley and lots of other exciting and adventurous places.
Getting There :
To reach Naga Heritage Village directly from Dimapur airport which is 41 km away, you can hire any taxi from different parts of Kohima. Similarly, cabs from Dimapur railway station will take you to Naga Heritge Village within a couple of hours. Taxi can directly take you to the village from the nearby cities and towns.
Best time to visit :
Winter is the best preferred season to visit Naga Heritage Village.
2. Kohima :
Kohima is the capital of the Northeastern Indian state of Nagaland. With a resident population of almost 100,000, it is the second largest city in the state. Originally known as Kewhira, Kohima wa founded in 1878 when the British Empire established its headquarters of the then Naga Hills District of Assam Province. It officially became the capital after the state of Nagaland was inaugurated in 1963. Kohima was the site of one the bloodiest battles of World war II. The battel often referred to as the Stalingrad of the East.
Kohima parks :
Sakhrie Park : Sakhrie Park is a recreational park located at Middle Tsiepfu Word located between the Asian Highway 1 and the Tsiepfu Road.
Sokhriezie Park : Sokhariezie Park is centrally located lake that sits below the PHQ Junction.
Kohima Botanical Graden : Kohima Botanical Graden is located at new minister hill ward and is looked after by the Nagaland forest department.
Events and Festival :
The NAJ Cosfest is an Otaku- based cosplay festival held every year in the month of July. The annual event was started in 2013 and is organized by the Nagaland Anime Junkies. The cosfest is one of the biggest cosplay festival in North East India.
Hornbill Festival : The Hornbill Festival is the biggest annual festival in North East India. The festival is held every year from 1 to 10 December with the purpose to promote the richness of the Naga heritage and traditional. The main venue is located ate the Kisma Heritage Village, located 12 km south of the city center.
Climate :
The city experiences a subtropical highland climate, with greater contrast between summer and winter than in other continents due to the monsoons but mild temperatures even for latitude and altitude. The months of June to September concentrate much of the precipitation.
Kohima has pleasant winters with little rainfall and very warm, very rainy summers. The coolest months are from December to February, when frost my occur and in the highest altitudes occasional snowfall is possible. During the height of summer, from June to August, temperatures range on average from 18-27 C, with heavy and frequent rainfall.
Transportation :
Airports : Kohima is served by the Dimapur Airport located in Chumoukedima – Dimapur, 74 km from the city center of Kohima. The currently under construction Kohima Chiethu Airport once completed will serve as the main airport for the greater Kohima Metropolitan Area.
Roadways : Kohima is connected by road with NH 2 and NH 29 which pass through the city. The Dimapur – Kohima Expressway is a tolled expressway connecting Kohima with Dimapur.
3. Mon :
Mon District is a district of Nagaland, a state in India. It is the third largest district in Nagaland in terms of area. The district has a population of 250, 260 people. Mon Town is the headquarters of the district.
After independence in 1947, Tuensang was created as a separate administrative center and in 1952, it become a sub division of NEFA under a separate Assistant Political Officer. Later in 1957 the Tuensang subdivision was bifurcated from NEFA and merged into the Naga Hills – Tuensang Area along with three District in 1973. The name Mon originates from its district headquarter. Till 1971, the present Mon district was a subdivision of Tuensang district.
Culture :
Mon district is the home of the Konyak Nagas. The Konyaks are famous for their tattoed faces and bodies. The most colourful festival of the Knoyaks, Aoling is observed during the first week of April every year. Knoyaks are the largest tribe among the Nagas. They speak the konyak language a Sino-Tibetan language with each village having their local dialect. The konyaks were the last practising headhunters among the Nagas which continued into the 1960s. The tribe embraced Christianity during the late 20th and early 21st century. Konyaks decorate their houses with skulls hornbill beaks, elephant tusks, horns and wooden statues.
Places of attraction :
Shangnyu village : Shangnyu village is one of the prominent villages in Mon distict. There is a wooden monument measuring 8 feet in height and 12 feet in breadth believed to be constructed by heavenly angels. Carvings of human beings and other creatures are engraved on this monument. Memorial stones are also found in front of the Angh’s place. It is believed that there was a friendly trade relationship between the Shangnyu village and the Ahom Kings.
Chi village : Chi village is another prominent village near Mon town. It is ruled by the Angh of Chi village the angh house is the biggest in the village and has a display of skulls of enemies supposedly killed by him and his ancestors.
Veda Peak : The highest peak in the Mon district is Veda Peak, which lies approximately 70km east of Mon. The peak offers a clear sight of both the Barhmaputra and the Chindwin on a clear day. Ther is a waterfall near the Peak which is considered as one of the most beautiful locations in the whole of the konyak countryside.
Tansportation :
Air : The nearest airport is Dibrugarh Airport in Assam located 122km district headquarters Mon. There is a helipad in Mon as well.
Rail : The nearest railway station is Dibrugarh railway station located 115km from headquarters Mon.
Road : The district is well connected with roads. The NH 702 passes through the district alongside other intra – district roads.
4. Dimapur :
Dimapur is the largest city in the Indian state of Nagaland. As of 2011, the municipality had a population of 122,834. The city is the main gateway and commercial center of Nagaland. Located near the border with Assam along the banks of the Dhansiri River. Its main railway station is the second busiest station in Northeast India.
Dimapur has several places where tourist can visit such as Nagaland Science Center, Stone Park, Shiv Mandir and kali temple. The Nagaland Zoological Park, green park, Niathu Resort. The Triple Falls Nagaland science Aqua and Agri Expo site in the neighboring Chumoukedima District can be easily accessible from Dimapur.
Runis of kachari rajbari:
although is left in ruins after centuries of abandonment, after facing conflict with the Ahom King in 18th century and with the settlement of township occupying almost half of its former glorious fortress, is still a national heritage site.
Dimapur city tower : The Dimapur city tower is a major landmark of the city. It is located at Circular Road in the heart of Dimapur. Also known as the clock tower, the tower is decorated with Christmas lights during the Christmas season.
Dimapur Jain temple : The Dimapur Jain temple was built in 1947. the temple has some intrict glass work. The temple is considered very auspicious by the people of Dimapur. the temple was bulit by the tireless efort of shri jethmal sethi, shri phulchand Sethi, shri Udayram Chabra, Shri Chunnilal Kishnalal Sethi and other Jain families present in Dimapur at that time.
5. Dzuko Valley :
The Dzuko Valley is a velly located at the boarders of the state of Nagaland and Manipur in Northeast India. This valley is well known for its natural environment seasonal flowers and flora & fauna.
It is situated at an altitude of 2452 m above sea level. The valley is famous for list wide range of flowers i every season but the most famous one is the Dzuko Lily and it is found only in this valley.
Trekking route :
The main entry is from the foothllis of viswema where one can travel to the rest house above Teyozwe Hill by a Tata Sumo taxi. From here one climb forty minutes the top op the mountain. This is where Dzuko starts but the main valley is still another two hours walk away. One can exit the valley from the same route but if one is planning to come back by MMTA ( Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Associated).
Transportation :
The Asian highway 1 and also the NH -2 passes through its foothills. The nearest airport is Dimapur airport at Chumoukedima- Dimapur about 96 kilometers away from Viswema while the Bir Tikendrajit International Airport is located about 20km south of Viswema.
6. Green Park :
This is one of the best place in Diamapur when it was first opened it has a good hotel and a place for boating. However it was shut down for a short period of time although now it’s open and people too hang out here. The place need lots of repairing and upgrades needed which if done will be a very good place to visit and spend time with friends and family for now it’s not that interesting though i won’t suggest not to go too go and visit it after all of the first modern park in Nagaland.
Poupular things to do & see in and around :
The park is full of greenery and it would be and ideal spot for picnics or social gathering, also you can enjoy boating facilities here. Apart from that, Hong Kong market, Naga shopping Arcade, Itanki Wildlife Sanctuary, Kohima Botanical garden, Rangapahar reserve forest Dimapur Zoological park, Nagaland science center and many other places to visit can be reached in short time from Green Park.
Getting there :
You can reach Dimapur boarding the state busses and then hire private taxi and auto rickshaws that run to and for to reach the green park easily.
Best time to visit :
Nagaland offers a wonderful weather during the winter season in the months of October to March. You can visit Green Park during the cool any comfy months when the tourism at is at its peak.
7. Kiphire :
Kiphire is one of the must visit place in Nagaland as it is located in an exotic place overlooking the saramanti mountain. The region is home to various tribes namely Yimchungers khimmniungan, Phom Sangstams and sumis. These tribes have been living in this region for a very long time and are the heart of this region.
Although there is very less to see in Kiphire you can set out can explore the region and be awe-struck by the beauty of this picturesque place. Some of the tourist places to visit in Kiphire are the kisatong village and Fakim Wildlife sanctuary.
Fakim wildlife sanctuary :
One of the places to visit in Kiphire is the Fakim wildlife sanctuary which is an abode for many wildlife. It is ideal for nature lovers, animal enthusiats and photographers.
Kisatong :
A tourist place in Khiphire is the tribal village of Kisatong. This village is inhabited by the sangtam tribe who are very welcoming. Located on a hilltop this place gives you a heavenly feeling. Tourists can learn the way. of life the tribals and also know more about their cultures and traditions. The unquie features of this village is that it is here where the endangered Amur Falcon migrates to. Bird watchers come from far and wide to see this majestic bird.
Transportations:
By Air :The nearest airport to Kiphire is the Dimapur airport which is at a distance of 471 km. It is well connected to the major cities of the country.
Train : Dimapur also has the only railway station in Nagaland. Thus if, you want to travel to Nagaland on train, you will first have to reach Dimapur then take the road to reach Kiphire. It is connected well with Kolkata.
Road : Kiphire is well connected to the rest of Nagaland by the National Highway 155. The national highway connects Kiphire to Kohima, Meluri, Dimapur, and Mokochung. Regular state transport buses and private taxis are available from anywhere in Nagaland to Kiphire. The state highway also connects Tuensang-Kiphire-Meluri together.
8. Naga Hills :
The Naga hills reaching a height of around 3,825 meters. They are parts of the mountain ranges inside the Indian state of Nagaland and the Burmese Naga self-administerged zone are called the Naga Hills.
The highest point of the Naga hills is Mount Saramati. A part of the Naga Hills under the British India control was coalesced into a district in 1866. The boundaries of the Naga Hills District were gradually expanded by annexation of the territories of several Naga tribes. including the Aos, the Semas and the Konyaks. In 1912, the district was made part of Assam province. Following the Partirion of India, it was merged with the Tuensang Division to create the state called Nagaland.
Naga Hill Ophiolites Site :
Near Pungro in Kiphire district of Nagaland has been declared a National Geological Monument of India by the Geological survey of India, for their protection, maintenance, promotion and enhancement of geotourism. These are the ophlitic rocks of mantle and ceanic crust percentage at the Indian continental plate margin.
These are a mixture of Mesozoic and subsequent Cenozoic rocks, i.e. magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. The Naga Hills, due to their complexity and position, forms a natural barrier between the two countries. The Naga Hill are part of the Arakan Range, which to the north rise to 12,552 feet.
9. Nagaland State Museum :
The Nagaland State Museum is a museum located in Bayave Hill, Kohima, Nagaland India. It is operated by the Department of Art and Culture, Nagaland. The museum collects, preserves and displays a comprehensive collection of artefacts including ancient sculptures, traditional dresses, inscriptions from all over Nagaland.[1] The museum was first opened to public on 25 November 1970.
The museum is one of the two museums operated by the Directorate of Art and Culture, Nagaland.
Address : M4P3+2W5, Upper Bayavu Hill, Kohima, Nagaland 797121
Hours : Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday – 9:30am – 3:00pm
Sunday – closed.
Here i am wrapping up the top most 9 tourist places in Nagaland, hope you enjoyed my article and find all of the Important Information here. If you want to know anything, tell me in the comment section.
