History

The hilly city of Kohima is a capital of Nagaland state in India. The city of Kohima is renowned for its unique tribal culture and tradition which show the true picture of the Indian culture and heritage. The town shares its boundaries with neighbor country Burma and situated at district Kohima. It is also amongst the main three cities of Nagaland with the status of municipal council. The other cities are Mokokchung and Dimapur.

The Kohima city is the holy land of ancient tribe of Angami Naga. Kohima was given its name by the then British government because they were not able to pronounce the language of Angami name Kewhira or Kewhima (Tenyidie for “the location where the amazing flower Kewhi found).  The town is known after the local wild flower plant of kewhi which is basically found in the hilly areas. In the past time, the Kohima city was also called Thigoma. The city of Kohima is situated just southern part of district Kohima ( 94.12 degree in east and 25.67 degree in north) and has a height of about 1261 m means 4137 feet.

The British attacked this Naga territory in the beginning of 1840s had to face great resistance from this Naga tribe who were very independence lovers. The Nagas had not been defeated by any country. The toughness of the resistance can be understood by this fact that British had to wait for about four decades to conquer this small territory which is only 10,000 sq km. at the time of world war 2nd in the year of 1944, battle of old Kohima as well as battle of Imphal was one of the running points at the campaign of Burma. It was the first time at southern east Asia when the Japanese lost their initiative to great allies that they controlled until the lost of world war 2nd. This horrible battle of Kohima prevented the aggressive Japanese from benefiting an important base from that they could roll whole lands of India.

How To Get There

Air

The close by airdrome is situated at Dimapur city. However the Indian airlines serve Boeing facility from Delhi as well as Kolkata at every alternate time. Imphal and Gowahati are also well linked to the city of Dimapur via air.

Rail

The close by railway station is situated at Dimapur city and the frontier railway of northeast operates many trains from the city of Dimapur to city of Guwahati. The city of Guwahati is also well linked to the all major cities of the nation by railway networks.

Road

In the city of Dimapur, the state transport of Nagaland operates buses to city of Kohima and the tour takes only four hours. From the city of Guwahati, visitors can easily find private luxury buses. Cabs as well as mini buses are also available at very affordable prices from the city of Dimapur

Places To Discover

Dzukou Valley

The valley of Dzukou offers eternal charm along with its great emerald green mountains, surrounded by amazing flowing river, is situated at a height of 2,438.4 m.

Tuophema Visitor Village

It is situated only 41 km distance from the city of Kohima. This village is selected by state tourism department for promoting local Angami Sekrenyi celebration in the month of February 25 to 27 annually. The festival of Sekrenyi is a celebration of purification as well as revolves rituals and the fair of cleaning the entire village very well.

World War 2nd Cemetery

A world war 2nd cemetery was built in the centre of this town wherein the war took place. It is constructed to honor the great memories of Indian as well as British soldiers.

Climate And Best Season To Visit

The season of summer is tropical hot; season of winter is normally dry and often highly cold. The city of Kohima has an average yearly rainfall of about 250 cm. you can visit the city throughout the year but the best season to discover it between the month of November to month of March.

Culture And Language

English is the official language of Kohima city.

The culture of Kohima is unique as the tribes perform their own war dances along with highly colorful and typical headdress, war paint, costumes and some weapons such as spears.  The special tribe dances celebrate success of war and nature’s bounties. The sixteen tribes make the culture of Kohima varied. However with advent of western Christianity and modernization, most of their traditional costumes have been removed such as headhunting.

Accommodation

The lodge that operates by the state government has about 14 rooms along with twenty beds dormitory and two suites. The lodge has also one conference hall (charges USD 23 a day) and one dormitory along with dining room plus attached coffee area which can be rented for only USD 34 a day.

Fairs And Activities

Within the city of Kohima, there might not be various activities just because it is an administrative city.  However outside of Kohima city, visitors can go for trekking into amazing mountains and tour for a great adventure.

Moatsu Festival

The festival of Moatsu at Kohima city is celebrated annually in May. The festival of Moatsu in Kohima normally related to the ancient tribal communities.

Hornbill Festival

This festival is held annually in the month of December with great fervor. Sports, dances, games and some musical events are some rituals of this grand celebration. The festival of Hombill is highly celebrated by the local tribal communities.

Sekrenyi

The festival of Sekrenyi is celebrated in the month of February with great joy and happiness. The great festival of Sekrenyi at Kohima city generally belongs to tribal community of Angami. The people of the town celebrate this grand festival that is based on their own rituals, traditions and religion.

Ngada Festival

This festival is highly celebrated by the tribal community of Rengmas. At the first day of the fair, all the local people make cuisine of beer and rice. Visit to holy graveyards of their relatives, collecting the leaves of banana and giving of holy foods are some significant local rituals of this grand festival of Ngada in Kohima city.

Hotels

The hotels at Kohima city are the ideal combination of luxury, pleasure, furnished and well renovated with all modern amenities.

Get Around

Strolling is the ideal way to experience the real pulse of Kohima. You can even always visit for a trekking/ picnic in the dense woods. There are many streams where you may spend your time ad the woods are amazing. You even can find various kinds of orchids that you would not find elsewhere in the globe. Whether there is season of spring or winter, the sight of woods is always wonderful.

The ride of Motorcycle – the renowned Kick start adventures which is an adventure firm of tourism is pioneered bike tours in the state of Nagaland. The adventurous motorcycle tour offers not only well know areas but also unknown rural areas of state Nagaland to feel the true tribal traditions and culture. These tours are conducted throughout the year (off season/ on season).

Get Out

Tuophema

It is Situated about 41 km far from northern of Kohima city. This village is an old heritage. You would get to discover the social system of Naga, their life and culture in this village.

Dzukou Valley

It is situated only 25 km distance from Kohima city and renowned for trekkers. However it is known as a valley, but it lies about 2,462 meter above from the sea level. A great lush carpet of white and red rhododendrons, wild flowers and lilies occupied the whole location during the time of spring.

Mokokchung Village

This village is a great place for Naga’s Ao tribe. It is only 150 km distance from Kohima city. The local tribes celebrate some festivals such as Tsungrem Mong and Moatsu, during the time of harvesting (between the months of March to August).

Shopping

The Kohima city is an ideal shopping area in the state of Nagaland. In this shopping area you may find colored spear, tribal shawls, woven bamboo, jewellery and important beadwork. The modern and stylish outfits are also available in the city of Kohima. Just behind the taxi stand, one can buy lovely handicraft as well as handloom products.  Stores in the Kohima city also sell leather jackets, shawls, modern shirts, bold jewellery and hats. The shopping center of Kohima is very famous for selling unique handicraft products such as beadwork, cultural garments and home furnishings. There also one can find great range of artistic handicrafts like paper Mache, Bamboo and dolls at very affordable prices.

Location Map

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