Let’s have a brief description of Nagaland’s natural beauty.
Nagaland is a charming state in the country’s northeast and one of India’s most popular hill station tourist destinations. It is as much about scenic beauty as it is about carefully preserved history and tradition, and a visit to this enthralling state will open up a world of things to watch and do to make your vacation the most memorable one.
Nagaland is another name for beauty and bounty, as it is inhabited by tribes who are fiercely protective of their culture and identity. The north-eastern state of Nagaland is defined by colorful costumes, spicy cuisines, pleasant weather, traditional villages, beautiful dance forms, and lyrical songs.
This has many natural wonders to offer nature lovers, including Japfu Peak, Dzukou Valley, and Shilloi Lake. Nagaland, like the other north-eastern states, is rich in culture, with a diverse range of tribes. As each tribe has its own festivals and ceremonies, Nagaland is always ready to welcome a festival with open arms, and gaiety and food are as much a part of the celebration as dances and songs.
Naga people eat almost anything they can get their hands on, including dogs, pork, snails, and even elephants, and no part of the animal is wasted, including the skin and intestine. It demonstrates how much they enjoy food and beverages. These cheerful, colorful, and crafty people are the heart of the state, while nature draws visitors from all over the world.
Best time to visit: October to May
“Gateway to the heart of India.”
THE HORNBILL FESTIVAL OF NAGALAND:
This is a very popular Nagaland festival. The Hornbill Festival, also known as the “Festival of All Festivals,” is a grand celebration held each year in Nagaland, North East India. The festival is in its element, and it is a powerful representation of Naga culture through magnificent traditional music, dance, and performances. The performances are possibly very eye-catching and demand a lot of attention.
Nagaland’s diverse tribes all make heartfelt contributions to making the festival more vibrant and entertaining. Everyone comes together, united under one wing, to make this celebration a reality. People from all over the world travel to this exciting event to either witness or participate, or sometimes both. The festival allows visitors to gain a better understanding of Naga culture. People are invited to participate in a variety of extravagant dance and musical performances, as well as competitions.
It’s a lovely display of Nagaland’s cultural practices. Nagaland’s people are even more generous with their helping hands and smiles. This charming festival has enticed tourists and travelers who visit the festival during the holidays.
THE FESTIVAL’S DURATION
Every year, the festival begins in the first week of December. The cultural event is organized by the Nagaland government. From the 1st to the 7th of December, the celebrations span the entire span. The festival’s first stop is in Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland.
TICKETS FOR THE HORNBILL FESTIVAL
Every day passes worth INR 20-INR 30 must be purchased for the event. The cameras cost an additional INR 50. There are a few formalities that must be followed:
- Domestic tourists must obtain an inner line permit from the local government
- foreign tourists must register at the residential district’s Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within 24 hours of arrival.
HORNBILL FESTIVAL 2020 SCHEDULE:
9:00 A.M.- It usually starts at this time, and the crowd begins to fill the venue. As a result, it is best to arrive early to avoid a long entry line and missing out on the fantastic showcases.
12:00 P.M.- This is the time for lunch, which lasts two hours and serves as a break for the performers. During this hour, one can also sample some delectable cuisine.
2:00 P.M.- People typically return to the activity area for talent shows and talent hunts.
5:00 P.M.- It’s time for some delectable Rice Beer and an evening snack. Following this, the much-anticipated Hornbill National Concert begins.
“Make your life like a festival, that makes everyone happy.”
Places To Visit in Nagaland
KOHIMA
Nagaland, one of India’s seven sister states, has its hilly capital in Kohima. The British gave the region the anglicised name ‘Kohima,’ while the original name was ‘Kewhira,’ derived from the Kewhi flowers found there. It is a land of folklore passed down through the ages, famous for its ethereal environment and untouched beauty. It has quaint hills, emerald forests, and a picturesque landscape at a height of 1500 metres above sea level. It is the place to go for all you adventure seekers because it is ideal for trekking, camping, and hiking.
Best Time: Oct-Jun
“This city’s gonna take my heart.”
MOKOKCHUNG
After Dimapur and Kohima, it is Nagaland’s most important urban center and the home of Ao Naga.
The District Museum, the Town’s main Park (located just above the Town Center), Unman village (the oldest and largest), and Ao village are all popular tourist attractions in the area. Visitors may also be interested in visiting Longkhum, Langpangkong, Mopungchukit, and Chuchuyimlang, which are all located within the district. Because agriculture is the primary occupation in the area, festivals during the sowing and harvesting seasons are certain to enhance the tourist’s experience.
Best Time: Oct-Jun
“A place full of colors and happiness, just like a rainbow.”
DIMAPUR
The city is known as Nagaland’s largest and fastest-growing city, and most visitors arrive in transit due to the city’s airport. Triple Falls, Kachari Ruins, the Nagaland Science Center, and the zoological park are among the few attractions in the area.
The eastern part of the district is bounded by the Dhansiri River, while the western part is dominated by forests and hills. One day is all you need to explore this place before flying away to the next lap of your tip.
Best Time: Oct-Jun
“Cant get your eyes off it once seen in real.”
TUENSANG
Tuensang is the administrative center of the Tuensang district, Nagaland’s easternmost and largest district, which is bordered on the right by Myanmar. It is one of Nagaland’s largest urban centers, along with Dimapur, Kohima, and Mokokchung, and is a popular tourist destination in the state.
Tuensang is a growing town in Nagaland, with a significant increase in the number of schools, colleges, hospitals, and other basic amenities in recent years.
Best Time: Mar-May
“A place with the most humble and kind people.”
Frequently Asked Question
Nagaland is a beautiful state situated in the hilly region of the North eastern part of India. It is one of the seven states comprising North India, which are popularly known as the “Seven Sisters”
Nagaland is home to unexplored natural beauty. Its perfect for romantic getaways as well as solo trips. There are also options for adventurous activities and expeditions like trekking, since its houses some very majestic hills and breath-taking valleys.
Dzukoku Valley and Japfu Peak in the capital city of Kohima are amazing hiking experiences at high altitudes, filled with enchanting views of greenery and scope of lots of adventurous activities like camping and trekking. This tourist spot situated at the borders of Nagaland and Manipur is a favourite destination for all ages. The Khonoma Village near the capital city of Kohima is also a popular tourist destination, and is famous as the Green Village of India. Nagaland zoological park having almost 500 different varieties of birds, Chumukedima Village and Kachari Ruins in Dimapur also attracts lots of tourists.
BY AIR: The nearest Airport is the Dimapur Airport, which is 75 kms from Kohima and is well connected to major cities like New Delhi, New Delhi & Chennai
BY RAIL: The nearest railway station is located in Dimapur and is well connected Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Chennai, Jorhat and Dibrugarh.
BY ROAD: There are buses run by the state between Dimapur and Kohima. Other than that, private luxury buses and taxis connecting Guwahati, Shillong and other nearby state capitals are also available.
There are many languages spoken in Nagaland, out of which Nagamese is the most popular. Other widely spoken languages are Assamese, Naga, English and versions of Bengali and Hindi.
Image Source: Google