Nagaland is a vibrant hill state located in the extreme northeast of India, bordered by Myanmar to the east; Assam in the west; Arunachal Pradesh, and a part of Assam in the north with Manipur in the south. It offers a rich and matchless traditional and cultural heritage. Nagaland is open only for foreign tourists for the last fifteen years and Hence it is still largely ‘undiscovered’ and a true hotspot for adventure lovers. It is home to 16 major tribes with different languages and dialects. It is ideal for eco and rural tourism and promotes tribal festivals, mountain treks, and homestays, and offers rare opportunities to experience life in their traditional tribal villages.
HOW TO REACH
HOW Though Nagaland seems to be a faraway destination it is not so. Connectivity is one of the best. All three modes of transport are available in Nagaland.
BY AIR
Dimapur is the domestic airport of Nagaland. Dimapur airport is 75 km from Kohima city and 4 km from Dimapur city. The airport is connected to Guwahati Airport and Kolkata Airport.
BY ROAD
Nagaland is also very well connected by road. Private and public buses are plying from Guwahati. These buses take you to destinations like Kohima, Dimapur, and Mokokchung. If you are in a private vehicle then drive via NH 27 and NH 29 from Guwahati to reach Dimapur.
BY TRAIN
The nearest railway station is always Dimapur. This railway station of Dimapur is the biggest in Nagaland. Dimapur railway station is very well connected to Kolkata and Guwahati railway stations.
PLACES TO VISIT NAGALAND
Now that the travel arrangements are in place, the ILP arrangements are in place, and travel to Nagaland should be smooth. Nagaland was a mystery to me and I didn’t really know what to expect from it. I had seen many valleys but here in Nagaland, these valleys were more attractive. This could be due to the fact that not many people have visited the place or because of the constant patronage by the people of Nagaland.
THE TRIPLE FALLS
One of the most serene places around Dimapur is Triple Falls. These waterfalls are near Chumukedima, a village just 13 km from the city. You can reach the Triple Falls in Dimapur from Patkai Christian College in Chaturvedi. There are 2 small valleys along the way with some steep cliffs. There is a waterfall with a deep plunge pool. Moving in the same direction, soon we could spot the majestic waterfalls from a distance through the bamboo leaves. While this place is not as magical as other waterfalls we have seen in the Northeast. But of course, it is peaceful and the water is also very clear.
KACHARI RUINS
Well you all know how fascinated we are with the mighty kings of the Ahom kingdom. This place is proof of his empire. The Kachari ruins take you back in time to when the Ahom kings conquered this part of the Northeast and established palaces. The pillars here are very decorative and intricate. There are many information signs all over the place. Well, it’s tourism The venue should be made but it was more like a place for high school students to hang out. While this place could have been preserved better and proper arrangements could have made this place a splendid historical place in Northeast India.
NAGA HERITAGE VILLAGE
The Naga Heritage Village is 12 km from the capital Kohima. This heritage village is one hell of an experience (in a good way of course). The culture and heritage speak for themselves. The overall design of the traditional houses, wooden walls, and roofs built here are unique and intriguing. It takes us back to a different era which reflects the customs and rituals.
DZUKOU VALLEY
Valleys are the most prominent feature here in Nagaland. Dzukou Valley is about 24 km from Kohima town. It is hard to believe that such a beautiful valley has remained unexplored. This valley blooms in the month of June to September. The famous lily flower appears all around the valley in these months. The route to Dzukou Valley is moderately difficult but it will all be worth it once you reach the top. While the path is not well marked, the locals will be happy to help.
KOHIMA NAGALAND
So the next day early in the morning we left for Kohima. Kohima is 70 km from Dimapur. You can reach Kohima in just 3 hours. There are many taxis available to Kohima. Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, is a beautiful city. The name Kohima comes from Kivira which is derived from a flower found in the region. Although this place is not very famous as a tourist destination the landscapes, and valleys here tell a different story. Kohima is not only a beautiful destination but the place has a lot of history too. This place has seen a lot of fighting between the British to the Japanese. People here have seen a lot and been bored a lot. They have retained their culture and natural beauty. Kohima is home to many popular destinations. there are very few of them
NAGALAND FOOD
Like other northeastern states, the staple food was based on rice and non-vegetarian options. While some tribes are different from others and the food is also different. Some tribes prefer pork, chicken, dog, worms, insects, and even vegetables. Real Nagaland food is hard to find and authentic food is hard to come by. Whereas if you want some authentic food then it would be best to go to Family. Some of the staple foods here in Nagaland are
DRIED PORK
PORK STEW
BAMBOO SHOOTS
STEAMED FISH
KONGSHIA LON
NAGA GHOST CHILLI SAUCE
WHY DO YOU NEED TO VISIT NAGALAND
A place to experience how Nagaland’s culture, history, and society. This is a small place to relax and find peace. Nagaland is not only growing but also preserving its culture and heritage. In the modern world, they have successfully preserved their traditions and they still follow them wholeheartedly. If you want to give rest to your body and get away from this fast-paced city life then Nagaland will be your next ideal destination.
Please read our more interesting blog about Har ki Doon Valley.
