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NAGALAND-
Places to Visit
Info
Tranportation Places
to visit Shopping
Places to Visit in Nagaland are Dimapur
and Kohima.
Other Places
Kohima
The Second
World War Cemetery
Cemeteries are, generally gloomy places. Kohima's second world war cemetery,
however, is not such a place. No place so beautifully situated, so superbly
maintained, and dedicated to the memories of those who sacrificed their
fives regardless of race, nationality or religion can be gloomy. The Kohima
war cemetery is serene and beautiful. Roses bloom in season, the grass
is always billiard-table smooth and two tall crosses stand at the lowest
and highest points of the cemetery overlooking Kohima. between them, and
stretching all the way across this gently rising hill in the centre of
the town, are stone markers with shining bronze plaques. Each commemorates
the name of a single man who gave his fife for freedom. At the base of
the. upper cross there is an inscription which says : "Here, around the
tennis court of the deputy commissioner he men who fought in the battle
of Kohima in which they and their comrades finally halted the invasion
of India by the forces of Japan in Aprd 1944". To one side of this memorial
cross, and often n-dssed by visitors, there is a tree with a small plaque
on it. The plaque says : This flowering cherry tree is of historical interest.
The original tree was used as a sniper's post by the Japanese and was
destroyed in the fighting which raged round the tennis court and marked
the limit of the Japanese advance into India. The present tree is from
a branch from the old one. And at the base of the lowest cross, an inscription
reads When you go home Tell them of us and say For your tomorrow We gave
our today.
The State Museum
A fascinating place filled with dioramas showing the lifestyles of the
many individual tribes of Nagas, carved gateposts, status pillars to record
feasts of honour, and traditional jewellery. An essential item used in
Naga jewellery is the seashell. Visitors should also examine the ceremonial
drum housed in a shed of its own in the grounds of the museum. The drum
not only looks like a huge, dugout war canoe, but it also has a figurehead
on its stem, stylised waves painted on its prow and paddle-like drum-strikers.
These cultural pointer lend support to a Naga belief that their ancestors
came from the sea. Scholars speculate that the ancestors of the Nagas
were venturesome seafarers from Sumatra who settled in the mountains of
North-East India after a long migration but still retained memories of
their Island's past in their legends, ceremonial jewellery and their great
village drums.
The Market outside the supermarket
This is a visual delight. Village women in their bright, tribal costumes
offer for sale the products of farm, field, forest and stream : Rice,
Mushrooms, Fruit and Fish of great variety. Also a host of other things
which would tempt the most adventurous palate.
Kohima Village (Barra Basti)
This is where Kohima began, according to Naga belief. Barra basti, the
big village, is reputedly the second ranking village in all Asia for its
sheer size but there is a lot more to the village than its dimensions.
There is, for instance, a ceremonial gateway- the traditional entrance
to all Naga Villages- carved with defensive motifs of warriors and guns,
and the symbols of prosperity the Mithun. Further up. and to the side
of the road, the old gate still stands in its own little shelter, still
respected in its retirement. And still further into the heart of the steeply-
rising Alage is a house built in the traditional Naga style with the upthrust
crossed 'horns' crowning the gable, carved Mithun heads to indicate the
status of the owners, a huge basket granary in the Verandah, and a trough
in which to make rice beer for the whole community.
The Zoo
Built into a green and wooded hillside, this is a caged Zoo of the old
Menagerie type with very few open enclosures. Of particular interest to
visitors is the semiwild Mithun Bison of the Nagas, to the left of the
entrance. Also the beautiful golden langurs discovered by an India-based
naturalist E.P. Gee, in this century, in the forested mountains of the
Indo-Myanmarborder and named after him. Keen ornithologists might also
want to see the rare Tragopan pheasant in its cage at the highest point
in the Zoo. Open : Summer 9 to 1 1 AM and 1 Winter : 9 to 1 1 AM and 1
to 4 PM. Closed on Monday.
Khonoma
Village
The 2Okm drive to this village, which is held in great esteem by the Nagas,
offers excellent mountain vistas, distant views of waterfalls, close-ups
of varied vegetation such as orchids and bracken ferns. But the journey
should be attempted only if you have your own vehicle because the public
bus schedule does not permit visitors to go to Khonoma and back before
nightfall. On approaching Khonoma visitors should notice the memorial
stones erected to commemorate feasts of merit, and the intricate system
of bamboo pipes which carry water from long distances. Khonoma village
is built high on a spur but spreads down to its array of paddy terraces
: 20 types of rice are reputedly grown in Khonoma, each suited to the
specific elevation and soil condition of a particular block of fields.
The pride of Khonoma is its ancient bastion approached through a traditional
carved gate, up a flight of steep stone steps, and on to the highest point
in the village. Here the Naga warriors made their last stand against the
British in 1879. A simple white pillar commemorates G. H. Damant, Maj.
C.R. Cock, Lt. H.H. Forbes and Sub. Maj. Nurbir Sai who died fighting
the Nagas in Khonoma.
Dimapur
Dimapur, from a Kachari word 'Dimasa' after the river which flows through
it, is the gateway to Nagaland and its only railhead. The only airport
of the state is also here and Indian Airlines operates a daily Fokker
Friendship service from Calcutta to Dimapur via Guwahati and back. It
is an important trade and commercial Centre on National Highway No. 39,
and wears a rather cosmopolitan look. In the medieval ages, it was the
capital of the Kachari rulers. In the heart of the town there is an old
relic of the Kachari Kingdom which speaks about the once prosperous era.
The relics, being preserved by the archaelogical department, are only
1 km from the NST bus station and railway station.Among other places of
interest for the tourist are Ruth's and Haralu emporia where one can see
women weaving exquisite Naga shawls on traditional looms, and also make
purchases of traditional handicrafts. An excursion can be made to Intanki
wildlife sanctuary, 37 km from here.
Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary
111 km from Kohima, 37 km Dimapur. An exotic wildlife sanctuary, Intanki
is- the home for Hoolock Gibbon, the only Gibbon found in India; other
wildlife includes Elephant, Mithun, Sambar, Barking Deer, Goral, Flying
Squirrel, Wild Dog, Tiger, Sloth Bear, among Birds are Kaleej and common
pheasant, Hornbill and Black Stor. There is a Forest Rest House and transport
on hire subject to availability.
Other
Places
Mokokchung
160 km from the capital, the centre of the culture and traditions of the
Ao Nagas. The warriors of this tribe used to wear the beautiful black
and red handwoven shawl with its white decorated band to signify their
prowess over their enemies. Situated at 1,325 metres up in the hills,
it has a very pleasant climate.
The two main festivals celebrated here are connected with sowing, 'moatsu'
in early May, and harvesting, 'Tsungremmong' in August. The highlight
of Tsungremmong is the Tug-of-War between men and women's teams.
Wokha
80 km. The district of the same name, Wokha is the home of the Lotha Tribe.
A picturesque Town, 80 km each from Kohima and Mokokchung, and 58 km from
Furkating Railway Station, Assam, Wokha is surrounded by a lot of eye-catching
hilltop villages where one can see monoliths erected by rich ancestors.
The Lothas are also famous for their colourful dances and folk songs.
'Tokhu Emong' and "Pikhuchak" are their principal festivals. Wokha district
is covered with luxuriant vegetation and the best varieties of oranges
and pineapples are grown here.
Phek
134 km. The district headquarters and home of the Chakhesang (a combination
of three tribes: cha of chekru khe of Khezhe and sang of Sangtam) their
culture and custom is distinctly different from other Nagas. 7sukhenyie',
the principal festival, is observed during March-April. The famous rare
tragopan birds are found in abundance here. One can also see a great many
varieties of beautiful Orchids.
Zunheboto
150 km. Located at an altitude of 1,875 metres, Zunheboto, the district
headquarters, can be reached from Kohima via Chazouba (150 km) and from
Mokokchung (68 km). Zunheboto is spread out on a cluster of hillocks inhabited
by the Semas, the martial race among the Naga tribes. The Sema tribes
are renowned for their colourful war dance and folk songs, and their ceremonial
war dresses. 'Tuluni' is one of the most important festivals observed
in the second week of July every year.
Japfu Peak
1 5 km South of Kohima, 3,043 metres high. From November to March, during
the dry season of Nagaland, the air is clear and the peak affords an excellent
view of Kohima town and of distant, snow clad, Himalayan Peaks.
Dzukou Valley
25 km from Kohima, at an elevation of 2,462 metres. This interesting valley,
behind Japfu Peak, looks like a mown lawn from a distance and is watered
by a meandering stream which often freezes in winter. In spring it is
rich with wild flowers and pink and white rhododendrons. There are also
interesting caves in the low hdlocks that cluster inside the valley. The
best time for trekking is November to March.
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