Kohima is the hilly capital of India's north eastern border state of Nagaland which shares its borders with Burma. It lies in Kohima District and is also one of the three Nagaland towns with Municipal council status along with Dimapur and Mokokchung. 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". This is a picturesque town with panoramic views and has the advantage of being centrally located. It also is home to people from various tribes of Nagaland who have come and settled in these parts to earn their livelihood.
Kohima occupies a prominent place in the pages of history as important battles of world war II were fought on this side of India with British forces defeating the Japanese troops here.
Best For:
This place is best known for its various exotic flowers along with a friendly weather and quite pace of life thus making it an ideal getaway for tourists. The city splendor can be viewed from as far as 16 kms from the city and provides some breathtaking view on its way.
The best time to visit Kohima is from September to April. Kohima has a pleasant and moderate temperate climate all year round. Winter is chilly when frost occurs and in higher altitudes snowfall occurs occasionally. Cotton for summer and warm woolen for winter is recommended clothing
Domestic tourists visiting Nagaland require to obtain Inner Line Permits issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur; Deputy Commissioner, Kohima and Mokokchung; Deputy Resident Commissioner at Nagaland House in Kolkatta or Delhi and Assistant Resident Commissioner, Shillong. A minimal permit fee is realized from each applicant.
All foreign tourists desiring to visit Nagaland require Restricted Area Permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, South Block, New Delhi. The Office of the State Resident Commissioner in New Delhi is also helpful.
Kohima does not have direct Air or Rail connectivity. Tourists can fly or reach by rail upto Dimapur and then proceed towards Kohima via Road. Bus and taxi services are available from all these access points. Nagaland State Transport Services (NSTC) buses are available from every station and village in the district and these ply regularly.
By Air: Dimapur (74 kms) is nearest airport which is air linked with Kolkatta which in turn is well connected to the rest of the country.
By Rail: Dimapur also serves as the nearest railhead and is connected with some major cities of India like Kolkatta and Guwahati.
By Road: By road, Kohima is accessed by National Highway 39. Kohima is well connected by this road from Dimapur and the two-hour drive on NH 39 is an amazing experience.
The tourist attractions at Kohima are: War Cemetery: Kohima has a large cemetery for the Allied war dead maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The cemetery lies on the slopes of Garrison Hill. The highway from Imphal to Dimapur-the route along which the Japanese hoped to reach the plains of India crosses the saddle at the foot of the World War II Cemetery. The immaculate gardens stand as a memorial to the Allies who died at the very spot during the three-month Battle of Kohima that ended in April 1944. Each grave is supported by a bronze plaque with a suitable epitaph. The epitaph carved on the memorial of the 2nd British Division in the cemetery“ When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today ” has become world-famous as the Kohima Epitaph. The verse is attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds (1875 -1958).
Government Sales Emporium: The Sales Emporium in the heart of the town has a great collection of Naga Handloom and Handicraft items.
Cathedral: The Catholic Cathedral at Aradurah Hill is an important landmark at Kohima. It is the largest Cathedral in the whole of North East India and its serene ambience is conducive for meditation and prayer. It has a blend of indigenous and modern architectural styles and is home to the biggest wooden cross in the country. Kisama: The festival held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 kms from Kohima is permanently created for celebration and is considered a ‘must-see’.
Japfu Peak: This second highest peak in Nagaland is located about 15 kms south of Kohima. The sunrise from the peak is an experience to remember. From the peak, one can have a bird's eye view of the surrounding hills, including parts of Dzükou Valley. In the Japfü ranges, one can find the tallest rhododendron tree which is featured in the Guiness Book of World Records. This tree, is over 109 feet tall and the girth at the base measures more than 11 feet. When it is in bloom, it is indeed a visual delight. It is quite an adventure to see this tree as it entails more than five hours of strenuous trekking through steep inclines to have a view of this World Record holding Rhododendron arboreal tree. A few other interesting places to visit are: Museum, Zoological Park and Dimori cave.
Where To Eat:
Some nice places to eat in Kohima are:
Regal, Valley View, Princess, Midway, Shalom, Bamboo Shoot, Capital, City Hotel, Evergreen, Little China and China Town.
Also pineapples can be picked up for tasting by the road side here or a hearty meal of local cuisine can be enjoyed from typical Naga wayside amenities.
Where To Stay:
There are few good places to stay while in Kohima. They are: Tourist Lodge, Japfü Hotel, Hotel Pine, Capital Hotel and Viewpoint Lodge.
The nearby places are: Dzukou Valley: The emerald green rolling hills interspersed by gentle flowing streams are a trekker's delight. It is tucked away behind the Japfu ranges and is about 30 kms south of Kohima, The serpentine streams that flow leisurely through Dzükou freezes during extreme winter. The Rhododendrons of different colours and hundreds of other species of flowers and plants in varied colours bloom and ornament the hills surrounding the valley during Spring. In summer, wild herbs and shrubs sprout along the stream banks. The pre-dominant plant here is the tough bamboo brush because of which it looks like a fully mown lawn from afar. This is one of the best trekking spots in the North-Eastern region. Inspite of the difficult terrain and non-availability of facilities, this is one of the most frequented trekking spots in the entire North East India. A few tourist rest houses are constructed for trekkers.
Dzulekie: 40 km west of Kohima, this lush evergreen sub-tropical forest is a feast for the eyes at Dzulekie. An interesting feature of Dzülekie stream is that it flows through a deep and narrow gorge making it look as if the stream has gone underground at places. A rare species of rainbow trout is found in this stream.
Khonoma: The nearby village of Khonoma abounds in stories of valor and courage. The terraced fields, which produce 20 types of paddy at different elevations, present a beautiful view. The Khonoma gate relates the tragic story of British infiltration into Naga Hills in 1879.
Mokokchung and Zunheboto, situated 160 and 150 km respectively from Kohima are picturesque towns at great heights. Dimapur at 37 Kms. is an important commercial center of Nagaland.
Kohima is not recommended as a stand alone destination. It is best to visit it in a Package tour of Nagaland or Eastern India.
