Kohima
Kohima is the capital of Nagaland in North-Eastern India.
Understand
Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place. The people are very friendly and warm hearted.
Religion
Over 90% of the population are Christians. There are different denominations like Roman Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Assembly of God and Seventh-Day Adventists.
Get in
By plane
- Dimapur Airport. 74 km from Kohima and a 2-hour drive.
By train
Kohima is not connected by train. Dimapur, on the Guwahati-Dibrugarh is the closest railway station with direct rail connections to Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Chennai.
By car
- National Highway 39 connects Kohima to Dimapur. The drive from Dimapur takes about 2 hours (74km).
By bus
By bus Kohima is connected to Imphal, Dimapur, Guwahati, Tinsukia and other major cities of North-Eastern India. The bus journey from Kohima to Dimapur is 2.5 to 4 hours (depending on the bus).
Get around
Walking is the best way to feel the pulse of the capital.
See
- Bara Basti. Supposedly the second largest village in Asia. See the traditional Angami way of life.
- 1 Catholic Church on Aradhurah Hill (Cathedral Church). Located near the Little Flower School. This is the biggest church of its kind in the predominantly Christian north-eastern region of India. The view of the town from this church is outstanding.
- The Deputy Commissioner's Bungalow. For over a month, Japanese troops battled British and Indian troops at this small bungalow in Kohima. The battle, known as the Battle of the Tennis Court, was the turning point in the fight against Japan and the bungalow still stands in this state capital. The Tennis Courts are now a part of the Kohima War Cemetery.
- 2 Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (Ao Babtist Church). The largest church in Asia.
- 3 Kohima Museum (Nagaland State Museum). Some rare Naga artifacts.
- 4 Kohima War Cemetery. Located on Garrison Hill. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth Graves Commission.
- Kohima Zoo. You can see the rare Tragopan bird, which is also the state bird of Nagaland. And the Mithun, the state animal.
- Naga Bazaar. You can find nearly anything that is living and moving here on sale. Nagas have a wide-ranging cuisine encompassing the entire spectrum of living things.
Do
While you are visiting Kohima, you can go for a picnic/trekking in the forest. There are rivers where you can picnic and the forest are really beautiful. You can find different varieties of orchids which you will never find anywhere else in the world. Whether it is during winter or spring, the sight of the forest is breathtaking.
- Trek to the beautiful Dzukuo Valley. You will never forget it your entire life. It's a valley at the top of the mountains. What is amazing is that you will find rivers and waterfalls in this valley which is situated at the top of the mountains. You need to carry your own food and a tent for your stay there. Make sure you carry very warm clothing for your stay there as this place is really very cold. If you start at 6:00 you will be reaching the valley around 16:00 if you are a really good trekker.
- Trek to the top of Japfu peak, the 2nd highest in Nagaland, and also Pulebadze Peak overlooking the suburb of Jotsoma. The views from atop these peaks are out of the world.
- Motorcycle ride - Kickstart Adventures, an adventure tourism firm, has pioneered motorcycle tours in Nagaland. This adventure motorbike tour covers not only popular places but also rural parts of Nagaland to experience first-hand of tribal cultures and traditions. Tours are conducted all round the year (season/off-season)
Learn
- Handknitting the famous Naga shawls from Naga women. One can find many women knitting these shawls in their verandahs. Just ask them to teach you and they would be most helpful in doing so. Nagas are among the most helpful people towards visitors.
Work
The main occupation is agriculture and there are no big companies like call centre/BPO IT companies. However, there are the usual government jobs, banking sector, factories, etc.
Buy
handicrafts, ethnic shawls, vests, artefacts from emporiums.
Eat
Pork, beef, mutton, chicken, dog meat and also lots of jungle animals are eaten. People are 100 percent non-vegetarian.
If you love pork you should definitely try pork cooked with fermented bamboo shoots in Naga style and if you love spicy food you should try the Naga chutney made with spicy green chillies and not to forget the spicy beef pickle made with Rajha Mircha (the world's hottest chilli, found only in Nagaland).
Drink
Nagaland is officially a dry state, but if you ask the waiters you will get everything from Jack Daniels to local zutho (rice beer).
Budget
Mid-range
- Dream Cafe, located close to the War Memorial. It has some of the best coffee in Nagaland, which unfortunately isn't saying much.
Splurge
Sleep
Budget
Nearby and downmarket at the 'BOC' bus stand and market , are the budget "Holiday Inn" (from ₹700) and the "Grandeur" next door (from ₹1000), basic, scruffy but survivable in the Indian manner. City buses (₹5) runs to the centre during daylight hours.
Mid-range
- Aradura Inn - is 3 or 4 km outside the city, close to the RC cathedral on Aradura Hill. Pine woods, great view, very cozy and quiet. Only practical if you have a car. A few tiny shops nearby, but no restaurants. Call ahead or no one may be there.
- Hotel Japfu Ashok at P.R. Hills. It is a dull three star hotel, the facilities are good and the staff friendly. From ₹1500 (Feb. 2012)
- Razhu Guest House - on Mission road, across fromt the Baptist College, a few hundred meters uphill from central Kohima. Lovely old "heritage hotel" with cozy rooms, some brighter or roomier than others. Garden. Power goes off a lot, but that is the case all over Kohina. From ₹1800 incl. breakfast.
Splurge
Connect
Stay safe
Cope
If you are visiting Kohima during winter make sure you carry warm clothing with you. The air is very cold in the morning and after 2 pm.
Go next
- Drive down to Dimapur and fly out or catch a train from there.