Eath India - Nagaland

Nagaland is a world apart. Nature resplendent in all her full-bodied glory. Exquisitely picturesque, vibrantly colourful, all lush fertile, the land represents unimaginable beauty, created by nature, to take your breath away...

The Nagas, inhabitants of Nagaland, are said to belong to the indo-mongoloid stock, a race whose presence was first noted ten centuries before Christ, at the time of the compilation of the Vedas. Inagurated on December 1, 1963 as the 16th state of the Bharat Union, Nagaland is bounded by Assam in the west, Burma on the East, Arunachal Pradesh & Assam on the North and Manipur in the South. The state consists of seven districts with sixteen tribes & sub-tribes inhabiting it. The Naga tribes are generally full of folklore. They are fond of seasonal songs, solo, duet and choric. Here man has to fight nature all the time. The struggle however, makes people tough. The people here are strongly built, simple, honest and hard working.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Location : Approximately lies between 25 deg 6' & 27 deg 4' latitude, North of Equator and between 93 deg 20' E & 95 deg 15' E longitudinal lines.
Altitude : 1495 metres above sea-level.
Main Rivers : Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu, Milak, Zungki and Tizu.
Highest Peak : Saramati (3877 metres above sea-level).
Area : 16,527 Sq. Km.
Population : 12,15,573 (according to 1991 cencus).
Density of Population : 73 persons per Sq. Km.
Capital : Kohima.
Districts : Kohima,Mokokchung,Mon,Phek,Tuensang,Wokha & Zunheboto.
Tribes : Angami, Aao, Sema, Lotha, Rengma, Chakhesang, Sangtam, Konyak, Phom, Chang, Yimchunger, Khiamungan, Zeliang, Kuki and Pochury.
Climate (deg. C.) : Summer- Max.31, Min.16; Winter- Max.24, Min.4.
Average Rainfall : 250 Cms (100").
Clothing Required : Summer- Cotton Tropical, Winter- Heavy Woollens.
Languages Spoken : Nagamese, Local dialects, Hindi, English etc.
Best Season : October to May.

ENTRY FORMALITIES

Domestic tourists visiting Nagaland require to obtain Innerline Permits issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur; Deputy Commissioner, Kohima; Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung and Deputy Resident Commissioner at Nagaland House, Calcutta, Delhi and Assistant Resident Commissioner at Shillong.
A permit fee of Rs.5.00 is realised from each applicant. Detailed information can be had from the Directorate of Tourism, Nagaland, Kohima. Tel.: 607/2544. All foreign tourists desiring to visit Nagaland require Restricted Area Permit from the Ministry of Home Affaires, Govt. of India, South Block, New Delhi.

ACCOMMODATION RESERVATION RULES

25 persent of the rent for accommodation in the Tourist Lodges is required to be paid in advance either in Cash or by Money Order at the time of booking. Generally, rent paid in advance is not refundable. But if anybody is unable to occupy the accommodation or shortens staying, the advance may be refunded or adjusted against the rent payable for the actual period of staying under certain circumstances.

PACKAGE & CONDUCTED TOURS

The Department conducts package and conducted tours to the tourist centres within and outside the state. Trekking and camping equipments are also given on loan to adventure lovers on nominal payment.

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Kohima

Kohima, State Capital & hill station is situated at an altitude of 1495 metres above sea-level. It is a beautiful town presenting wide panoramic views.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

Air : Nearest airport Dimapur 74 kms from Kohima. Fare from Calcutta Rs.1692.
Rail : Dimapur ( 74 kms ), the nearest railhead, is on the North-East Frontier Railway and is directly connected to Guwahati which in turn is directly connected to all the majore places in India. Trains between Guwahati & Dimapur are : 5907/08 Guwahati-Dibrugarh Town Brahamputra Mail, 5905/06 Guwahati-Dibrugarh Town Kamrup Exp., 5903/04 Guwahati-Tinsukia Assam Mail.
Fare : Calcutta-Dimapur (1241 km) Rs.225 (II), Rs.714 (I), Rs.906 (A/C)
Road : Kohima is connected by road to Dimapur - 74 kms; Imphal - 145 kms; Guwahati - 390 kms; Shillong - 490 kms; Calcutta - 1,516 kms etc.
Bus : Nagaland State Transport runs buses from Dimapur, (Transport Bus Stand, Tel : 2094) to Kohima from 05.30 A.M. till evening. Fare Rs.20 to 40/-. Blue Hills Travels, with its centre of operations in Guwahati, runs luxury buses connecting all the State Capitals of North-Eastern region.
Local Transport : Unmetered taxies with negotiable rates depending on the distances travelled and Mini Coaches are available.

PLACES OF INTEREST

War Cemetery : A symbolic memorial raised as citation for supreme sacrifices made by the officers and men during the World War II. Each grave is supported by a bronze plaque with a suitable epitaph. An inscription inside the Memorial reads as under :

" HERE, AROUND THE TENNIS COURT OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER LIE 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 APRIL 1944."

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 : Timmings : 10 A.M.- 4 P.M. Closed on Sundays & Holidays.
Other Places of Interest : Sales Emporium; Cultural Centre; Zoological Park; Cathedral; Kohima Village (Bara Basti).

EXCURSIONS

KHONOMA VILLAGE : 20 kms towards the west of Kohima.

MOKOKCHUNG : Situated at an altitude of 1325.08 metres above sea-level this picturesque town is the centre of the culture & traditions of the Ao Nagas. The main festivals of the Aos "Moatsu" & "Tsungremmong" are celebrated during the first week of May & August respectively Mokokchung is 160 km from Kohima via Wokha, 68 km from Zunheboto, 110 km from Tuensang, 100 km from Amguri (Assam), and 103 km from Mariani (Assam).

DIMAPUR : Situated at an altitude of 195 metres above sea-level is the gateway of Nagaland. This flourishing town is also the commercial centre of the State. Dimapur is the main rail-head in Nagaland. Dimapur is the only airport in Nagaland. Indian Airlines operates Boeing services from both Calcutta and Delhi on every alternate day. Dimapur is just less than 3 hours drive on the National Highway No. 39 by road from Kohima (74 kms). A wayside Restaurant is being run at Valley View (37 kms from Kohima and Dimapur). Dimapur is also connected with the neighbouring State of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram through the National Highway No.39.m Govt.

Places of Interest
The Ruins of Medieval Kachari Kingdom; Ruzaphema (5 kms); Intangki Wildlife Sanctuary (37 kms); Sales Emporium.

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Information provided by Department of Tourism. Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Government of India.