Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, is one of the most beautiful places in Northeast India. This place has mesmerized people with its beauty for generations. This name was given to Kohima by the British because they could not correctly pronounce the original name of Kohima as Kewhima or Kewahira.
Kohima is named after the Kewahi flowers found here, which are found in the mountains around the city. Long ago Kohima was inhabited by the Angami tribe (the largest of the Naga tribes), presently people from different parts of Nagaland and other neighbouring states also live here.
History of Kohima
Most parts of Kohima have always been inhabited by the Naga tribe. The British visited this place in 1840 and faced stiff resistance from the Naga tribes. After four decades of long protests and skirmishes, British administrators took control of the region and made Kohima the administrative headquarters of the Naga Hills district, which was then a part of Assam. On 1 December 1963, Kohima was made the capital of the state of Nagaland. Nagaland was the 16th state in the Union of India.
Kohima has witnessed several fierce battles, the Battle of Kohima between modern Japanese forces and other Allied forces during World War II, and the Battle of the Tennis Court. It is here that the Varma campaign unleashed all its might for the Japanese Empire and changed the very meaning of the war in Southeast Asia. As far as the Japanese were able to enter British India.
It was briefly occupied by Japanese troops in 1944, then was recaptured by the British. At the same time, it can also be said that the Allied forces were able to stop the progress of Japan. The Kohima battle site was built by the Commonwealth War Tombstone Commission, which is a major attraction for all the tourists visiting here, where the graves of more than a hundred martyred soldiers have been built.
Culture and Food
The people of Nagaland and mainly the people of Kohima are known for their love and hospitality and tourists should not forget to taste the local delicacies when they come here. The Naga tribe here loves meat and fish and they cook it in a very special way which really makes people's mouth water.
Nagaland is known for its rich and vibrant culture and tourists can clearly catch a glimpse of this culture in Kohima. Each and every tribe in Nagaland has its own ceremonial dress which is made of spears of different colours, hair of dead goats, feathers of birds and ivory etc.
Tourism in Kohima
The city gives tourists the gift of scenic views of natural beauty. By coming here, the visitors see the very breathtaking views of nature. High peaks, rolling clouds and blowing wind make this place special for tourists.
Tourists from different parts of the world come here to visit Kohima Zoo, State Museum, Jufu Peak. If you ever go for a trip to Kohima, then definitely visit Dzhukou Valley and Dzhuleki Waterfall. The Kohima Catholic Church, located in Kohima, is the largest and most beautiful of all the churches in the country. It is also a great tourist destination, it is a must-see.
Inner Line Permit for Tourists
It is worth noting that Kohima comes under the Protected Areas Act where domestic tourists require an ILP (Inner Line Permit) to travel. An inner Line Permit is a simple tourist document.
Foreign tourists do not require an Inner Line Permit, they have to register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the district to enter and visit the protected area of Kohima, within 24 hours of registration. Foreign tourists can take a leisurely walk. By the way, domestic tourists can also get Inner Line Permit from these places -
Deputy Residential Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi Deputy Residential Commissioner, Nagaland House, Kolkata Assistant Residential Commissioner at Guwahati and Shillong Deputy Commissioners of Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung
How to reach Kohima?
By Air: The airport has been constructed at Dimapur airport in Nagaland. It is quite easy to reach Kohima from here.
By Rail: Apart from the airport, a railway station has also been constructed at Dimapur. Kohima is located just 74 km away from Dimapur.
By Road: Kohima Bus Stand is the busiest bus stand in Nagaland. Buses are operated from here to various places in Nagaland. Apart from buses, Kohima can also be reached by private vehicles from National Highway 39.
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