Location:
Northeast Region Of India
Capital:
Kohima
Tourist
Attractions: Second World
War Cemetery, Japfu Peak, Dzakou
Valley
Best Time
To Visit: October To May |
Tourism in
Nagaland
A Legend
Gairemong, the culture hero of the Rongmei
Nagas, was born of the union between a human
mother and the master of the world who came
to her in the form of a charming python. A
few hours happily spent and a child
deposited in the woman's womb, the python
coiled away. He found the duties of
domestication too heavy on him and so went
away to indulge in pursuits of pleasure.
Meanwhile, the son grew up and like the
Buddha was confronted by the miseries that
plagued society. Who was responsible for
them? He found no answer, but his quest was
ongoing. Finally, finding that he was
anguished, his mother told him who was the
master of the world.
The father was, however, in the midst of
great fun. When the son reprimanded him for
being so lackadaisical about the world he
had created, the master of the world cursed
him. But soon the compassion of the father
got better of him and he bequeathed the
rocks, the trees, the birds, the tigers, the
meandering streams to his son. "They will
save you even when humanity turns against
you," blessed the father in a hurry.
Gairemong in turn went around giving the
people the message of the world. You are
your own master he said. Even today, the
hills of Nagaland resound with this call.
Naga Hills
The hills of Nagaland lie to the very east
of India, south of Arunachal Pradesh, north
of Manipur and east of Assam. To its west,
it shares a border with Myanmar (Burma). It
is one of the magnificent mountainous
systems that extend from the Chittagong Hill
tracts to the Patkao Mountains at a point
where the range is joined by northeastern
offshoot of the Himalayas.
Adjoining a part of the Chin Hills and
Arakan Yoma mountain system, Nagaland
comprises three massive mountain ranges,
which run irregularly parallel to each other
from north to south. They are the Barail,
the Naga and the Patkai ranges. A number of
rivers run the terrain too. The largest and
the most important among them are the Doyang
and the Dikhu. With many forests and a
varied wildlife, Nagaland is a veritable
treasure house of nature. It has also some
of the most beautiful orchids and flowers.
Kohima - The
Capital City
Nagaland is spread over an area of 56,366
square miles and has a population of about
seven lakhs. Its capital Kohima is so called
because "Kew Hi" is the name of a plant
grown on the mountainside. "Kew Hi Ma" means
"the men of the land where the flower Kew Hi
grows". Earlier, Kohima was known as "Thigoma".
Situated at the southern tip of the state,
overlooking the valley is the mountainous
capital, Kohima. Kohima does not have
monuments, monasteries or temples to offer
by way of stock tourist attractions. However
the unhurried pace of life, calm and serene
environs and fresh, unpolluted air makes a
welcome change for a jaded city dweller. The
Second World War Cemetery in Kohima, the
State Museum and the Zoo are the principal
places of interest here. Excursions from
Kohima lead to Khonoma village, Japfu Peak,
Dzakou Valley and Mokokchung.
Topography
The main river running through Nagaland is
river Doying. There are many smaller ones.
Narrow valleys of Dikhu, Tizu and Doyang
delve into the lower parts of the state. In
keeping with the topography of the
northeast, there are many forests in
Nagaland, many of them inhabited only by
animals and never visited by man! They are
so dense that they are inaccessible and the
treasures they hold in terms of wildlife are
beyond imagination.
Elephants, Tigers, Barking Deer, Jackals,
Monkeys and Wild Buffaloes, not to mention
Wild Pigs and Dogs, are some of the more
commonly seen wild life. Wild game is the
most prized meat. Animal hide, skull, tusks
and feathers are all used for ornamentation.
Forest Life
Bamboo forests mark the area while plantain
trees bring a story with them. They are said
to be the favourite of Elephants and so if
ever one wants to keep vigil for a visiting
jumbo then do so near a plantain tree, which
has a few fruits hanging from it. The people
use the leaves of this tree to pack food in.
The Nagas
Nagaland, as the name suggests, is inhabited
by the Nagas. The word Naga has become a
generic name for many tribal communities in
the northeast. There are 32 such tribes of
which 16 live in Nagaland. About 100 years
ago, Christian missionaries came to this
part of the country and today 98% of the
population is converted. Nevertheless, inter
tribal differences remain and each tribe
commands absolute loyalty from its people.
CLIMATE
Nagaland is blessed with salubrious climate
throughout the year and one can visit it
anytime. If one is looking for a quiet
getaway from the hustle and bustle of city
life, it provides the right ambience; as
life here is laid back and slow.
Adventure
Activities
For the adventurous, Nagaland is an ideal
place for trekking, jungle camping and
offers limitless exploration possibilities
in its lush and verdant sub-tropical rain
forests, which are also a treasure trove of
a plethora of medicinal plants.
The Nagas with their "joie the vivre", dance
and song are a part and parcel of all their
festivities. Most of their dances are
performed with a robust rhythm.
The earliest reference made to these people
is in the Geographia of Claudius Ptolemaius
of 2nd century AD. Ptolemy described
Nagaland as "the land of the naked". But if
that was one description, today if one
visits the people of the state one will find
them highly sophisticated and aware. The
Nagas were among the first in India to get
an exposure of western culture and thought.
They fought the first in India to get an
exposure of western culture and thought.
They fought the First World War when they
were recruited to labour crops that served
in France. So the global awareness among the
people of the state is very high.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Directorate of Tourism, Kohima
State Resident Commissioner, 29, Aurangzeb
Road, New Delhi.
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India
Travel Guide / States / Nagaland Travel Guide
