Mokokchung is a town and a municipality in Mokokchung District in the East Indian state of Nagaland. It is the district headquarters as well as the main urban hub of Mokokchung District. Mokokchung is the cultural center and the capital of the traditions and culture of the Ao Naga tribe. It is economically and politically the most important urban centre in Northern Nagaland. In fact the most important urban hub in all of Nagaland after Dimapur and Kohima. The town is made up of 16 wards of which Kumlong, Sangtemla, Alempang and Yimyu are the largest. Historically, Mokokchung was one of the initial locations in the Naga Hills where the Assam Rifles led by Britishers, first established their outposts in the later part of 19th century.

It is bounded by Assam to its north, Wokha to its west, Tuensang to its east, and Zunheboto to its south. The physiography of the district shows six distinct more or less parallel hill ranges towards the southeast direction.

The languages spoken here are Nagamese, Hindi, English and Local dialects.

Best For:

Mokokchung is particularly noted for its extravagant Christmas, New Year, Moatsu and Tsungremong celebrations. It’s tradition of celebrating Christmas and New Year mid night celebrations in the main town square is regarded as one of the unique features. This place also presents itself best in its natural beauty. The district provides serene views of several hill ranges like Tzurangkong range, Japukong range, Changkikong range, Asetkong range, Langpangkong range and the Ongpangkong range.

Mokokchung enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year due to its altitude. For ten months of the year, maximum temperature experienced is around mid twenties.

Cotton for summer & warm woolen for winter is recommended clothing.

 

Every Indian Citizen wishing to visit any part of Nagaland State is required to obtain Inner Line Permit before hand. This permit can be obtained from any of the Offices of:
The Resident Commissioner at Nagaland house in Delhi or Kolkatta, The Assistant Resident Commissioner, Shillong or The Deputy Commissioner at Mokokchung.

The ILP issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung shall entitle the holder to visit only Mokokchung District. The remaining Offices have been empowered to issue ILP for the entire state of Nagaland. Restricted Area Permit (RAP): Any Foreign Tourist wishing to visit Nagaland has to apply for RAP either from the Ministry of Home, Govt. of India, New Delhi or the Home Commissioner, Govt. of Nagaland, in advance along with the valid passport and Visa.

Mokokchung does not have direct Air or Rail connectivity. Tourists can fly upto Jorhat or Dimapur or reach Mariani by rail and then proceed towards Mokokchung via road. Bus and taxi services are available from all these access points. Nagaland State Transport Services buses are available from every station and village in the district and these ply regularly within the town.

By Air:
One can either fly up to Jorhat(Assam) or Dimapur(Nagaland) and take the road to reach Mokokchung. The distance from Jorhat to Mokokchung is 105 Kms via Mariani.
By Rail:
Mariani is the nearest town of Assam which is connected through railways. Many major trains cross through this railway junction. The distance to Mokokchung from here is 85 Kms. Tourists have to take a taxi ride or a bus ride from here to reach Mokokchung.

By Road:
There are three different major points from where one can reach Mokokchung.
From Kohima: One can take N.S.T (Nagaland State Transport) bus from Kohima and the distance is about 162 Kms plying through NH-61. For more convenience and faster travel, one can also avail the services of  the shared Taxi service which operates between Kohima and Mokokchung daily morning except Sundays. The travel time is 5- 7 hours. From Mariani (Assam): The distance to Mokokchung from here is 85 Kms. The road is being maintained by Border Roads Organisation. Buses plying from Dimapur to Mokokchung go through Mariani. Nagaland State Transport operates daily bus services from Mariani to Mokokchung.
From Dimapur: The road distance from the commercial hub of Nagaland (Dimapur) to Mokokchung is 212 Kms via Golaghat, Mariani. There are a number of buses belonging to both public and government which operate between Dimapur and Mokokchung besides the shared Taxi service. The journey time is about 6-8 hours.
One can avail any of the above services to reach Mokokchung.

Local Transport:
Mokokchung being a hilly terrain, having very limited scope for easy conveyance, one should be physically fit to walk in order to explore the place.

There are quite a few places to be explored in Mokokchung. They are:
Longkhum: As an old Naga saying goes, "a single visit to Longkhum is not enough, for your soul stays behind the first time and you have to return there once more to get it back". This saying springs from the fact that Rhododendrons adorn the hillocks and the precipices surrounding it providing an astounding sight during full bloom.
Exquisite ethnic handlooms & handicrafts by the expert craftsmen are also found in plenty. An animist religion called Limapur still exists in this village where a few families worship a God called Longlanpa Tsungrem.
 
Caves: Fusen kei and Mongzu Ki are two caves that yet remain unexplored. Local legends suggest that Fusen kei is about 25 km long.

Longritzu Lenden: or the river valley of the departed soul, is supposed to contain an underground river. It is believed when the ancient Aos died, their spirit would pass through this valley and take a bath in the river; then they would see the fleshless bones on their bodies and realise that they were actually dead. A flat stone and a hammer still exist there, which was supposed to have been used for breaking the Shizung (giant bean) that was used as soap.

Tangkum Marok (the cup of life):  is a spring that is supposed to possess mythical healing powers for the enhancement of life. The water from this spring emerges right through the rock and has a clear and refreshing taste.

Ungma: This is the oldest and the largest of all the Ao villages and the second largest village on Nagaland. Ungma village is located about 3 kms from Mokokchung Town. It occupies a unique position in the history of the Ao Nagas. It is said that the whole Ao tribe founded this village when they first entered the land from their ancestral Home at Chungliyimti (now within the Sangtam Naga Territory). The rich Ao culture and tradition is jealously guarded and practiced by the villagers even today and the place is considered to be a living museum of the traditions of the tribe.

Chuchuyimlang: Chuchuyimlang is the village of festivals for the Ao Nagas. The tourist village established there is a showcase of this spirit of the villagers, in the most natural and uncontaminated manner.
Near By Places:

The nearby places  are:

Kohima via wokha(162Kms), Dimapur (212Kms.) and  Wokha (62Kms).

 

 

Where To Eat:

The few popular restaurants to eat while here are: The Restaurant, Inner Circle Restaurant, Marcado, Two-In-One and the Dolphin Restaurant.

Where To Stay:

There are only  few accommodation facilities where one can comfortably stay like

Longkumer Kilem, Tourist Lodge, Circuit House, Madras Hotel, Grace Hotel, Hotel Citizen, Hotel Inigo, Hotel Step In and Hotel Igloo.

Mokokchung is not recommended as a stand alone destination. It is best to visit it as a part of a Package tour of Nagaland.