Engulfed by hills, Kohima is a bustling city nestled in the
north eastern part of India and is known for its popular Hornbill festival. The
city which is the capital of the state of Nagaland was also pivotal during the Second
World War as it was witness to the English- Japanese treaty. Presently Kohima
doesn’t portray any glimpses of the colonial times and has all the
characteristics of a modern city. However, it has a few attractions apart
from the Hornbill festival and the beautiful interiors such as Khonoma, Dzouko
valley, Tuophema etc. Here are a few places to visit in Kohima if one has a day
to spare.
War Cemetery
Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the
war cemetery is located in the middle of the town. It houses more than 1300
graves of the brave Indian, British and Commonwealth soldiers who were martyred
during the Second World War. An interesting point to note is that most of the
martyrs were young and in their early 20s. The cemetery is neatly laid out with
well manicured stepped lawns and flowering plants. Located at a height, the higher
steps of the cemetery offer views of the sprawling city of Kohima. The cemetery
is open from 8 AM to 3:30 PM during summers and from 8:30 PM to 3 AM during
winters.
War museum
Kisama heritage village which holds the Hornbill festival
every year also houses a World War II museum with a huge display of
memorabilia. The museum offers a great insight into the stories, photographs
and other details from the world war era. The Hornbill ground and morungs of
various tribes are adjacent to this war museum. The war museum is 12 Kms from
Kohima.
Local Markets
The local markets of Kohima such as Central market or BOC
market offers quirky frames. From vegetables to snake fishes to frogs to snails
to pigs, the markets offer a plethora of items on sale. It is not recommended
for the faint hearted, but for the curious souls these are definitely
interesting. It is always recommended to ask for permission before taking photographs
inside the market.
Catholic Cathedral
Atop the Aradura hill, the Catholic Cathedral of Kohima
stands tall overlooking the city. Known for its unique geometrical shape, the
cathedral is the largest in North East India. Beautiful paintings adorn the interiors
of this prominent landmark which was consecrated in 1991 with funding from the
people of Japan.
Nagaland State Museum
This wonderful museum has a magnificent display of myriad
artefacts, armoury, household items, musical instruments, jewellery, paintings and
photographs of the various tribes of Nagaland. The museum showcases the rich
culture of Naga tribes apart from a deep insight into their lives, history
and anthropology. There are also
numerous sculptures displayed outside the museum which have been unearthed from
various locations. The museum is open from 10 AM to 3 PM and remains closed on
Mondays.
Cafés
Café culture and western music have slowly caught up with
the young generation of Kohima. There are a few lovely cafes in the city which serve both local
and continental cuisine. FIFA café, Symphony café, Oasis restaurant etc. are some of
the recommended places to eat in Kohima.
Travel Tips:
- It is recommended to visit the war cemetery and state museum during the first half of the day as they close early in the evening.
- Shared taxis are easily available to commute across the city.
- Every shop and restaurant shuts down by 7 PM every day.
- Make sure to obtain Inner Line Permits before visiting Kohima.
How to reach Kohima:
Kohima is 70 Kms away from Dimapur which houses the nearest
railway station and airport. There are regular shared taxis that ply between
Kohima and Dimapur. One can also opt for the public bus service. Shared taxis
are available to commute within the city.
Food and Accommodation:
There are cafes and restaurants across the city. Most of
them serve local cuisine and non-vegetarian fare. There are numerous hotels and
guest houses in Kohima. EcoStay hostel is a good option for budget travellers.
