Location: Kohima
Top Things to do in Kohima
The 10 Best Things to Do in Kohima, India
Kohima (/koʊˈhiːmə/ pronunciation (help·info)) is the hilly capital city of India's north eastern state of Nagaland. With a resident population of 99,039 it is the second largest city in the state. Originally known as Kewhira, it was founded in 1878 when the British Empire established its headquarters of the then Naga Hills. It officially became the capital after the state of Nagaland was inaugurated in 1963.
Restaurants in Kohima
1. Kohima War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY lies on the battle ground of Garrison Hill. No trace remains of the bungalow, which was destroyed in the fighting, but white concrete lines mark and preserve permanently the historic tennis court. The cemetery now contains 1,420 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. At the highest point in the cemetery stands the KOHIMA CREMATION MEMORIAL commemorating 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers whose remains were cremated in accordance with their faith.
Reviewed By chew eng o - Singapore, Singapore
Kohima War Memorial
Located in the heart of Kohima, capital city of the Indian State of Nagaland and 200 km from the Indo-Myanma border there is a war cemetery that is the famous Kohima War Memorial. Locals and tourist that come to Kohima will certainly visit this cemetery that sits on a small hill overlooking Kohima City.
1,420 Allied Soldiers were buried here out of which 1,082 came from the British Forces. There is also a memorial on the top of the hill that is dedicated to 917 Hindus and Sikhs that were cremated according to their faiths.
The war cemetery, established in 1946, is located where a decisive battle between the Allied Forces and the invading Japanese army in April 1944. With the help of reinforcements from the 2nd Infantry Division and the 161 Indian Brigade, the Allied Forces manage to win the hard fought battle forcing the Japanese to retreat. Voted by the British as Britain’s Greatest Battle The Kohima War Memorial is one of the famous War Memorials to visit.
Internationals travels come to India by way of New Delhi, Chennai, or Kolkata. They will have to take a domestic flight to Guwahati. From Guwahati the journey by land is long and tiresome. One can break the journey at Dimapur the business city of Nagaland and continue uphill towards Kohima. Hotels in Dimapur and Kohima are very reasonable and there are many good restaurants in both cities. A good time to visit Kohima will be early December when the Annual Celebration of Naga Heritage Village takes place.
2. Naga Heritage Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By chew eng o - Singapore, Singapore
Hornbill Festival A Window of Nagalang.
The capital city of Nagalamd, Kohima, was a congested city with narrow roads and old buildings. Like many of mountain cities in India there is no room to expand the roads which make traffic jams a constant threat. Coming from the low lands of the business city of Dimapur we found the weather in Kohima pleasant.
We found the famous war cemetery at the heart of the city easy to reach and found the site of the important battle for the British against the Japanese invasion of World War Two. The war cemetery honors the sacrifice of the Allied and Indian soldiers.
However our motive of visit was also to see the Naga Heritage Village which was touted as a Window of Nagaland. The place looks deserted with only a handful of visitors but we were told that from December 1st to the 7th each year since 2000, thousands of tourist and local from all over the villages in Nagaland will descend to watch or participate in the Annual Hornbill Festival.
The week-long festival unites all of the seven tribes of village people who will participate in cultural dances, display their crafts and food, with tribal games and ceremonies. It will be an amazing sight to behold. We were also told that tourists that wish to watch the Hornbill Festival should book their hotels months early as most will be full during the days of the festival.
We regret that we were there too early to participate and enjoy the show but we did get an insight of the village houses of the seven tribes built there to present some of the village atmosphere.
3. Khonoma Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By SimplyDrapi - Ljubljana, Slovenia
It is quite interesting to enter a village that looks not really like tribe village with very different houses and lime roofs - but in gact behaves like a tribe village. Their habits explained by local gude become very interesting with every minute spent there. But you should not be surprised to see a baby playing with iPhone there... this is how tribes accomodate to present times.
4. Kisama Heritage Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By SatyendraGarg - New Delhi, India
Kisama is the place where Naga Heritage Village where annual Hornbill Festival is held is located. This village showcase lifestyles and culture of all the tribes of Nagaland. If one gets a chance be here in the first week of December one can enjoy Nagalnd life and culture to the full.
5. Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By AnilaSurin - Ranchi, India
Catholic Church of Kohima, a glorious structure at the top most point of the town. It stands at its glory facing the downtown.
Architecturally its simple , structurally its beautiful , aesthetically sober and interior is serene. We visited on Sunday after the morning service. The building is one beautiful piece of architecture with very simple techniques of drainage, supply water and rain water pipes.The interior is just a wow, stepped Seating, glass paintings, column free space and natural lighting.There is a sufficient large ground in front from where we enjoyed the view of the hills and town.
6. Kohima Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By mohit_kinetic - New Delhi, India
This place is must amongst the must visit places in Kohima. Well depicted tradition of Nagaland along with description of various Naga tribes. It has an excellent collection of old photographs right from world war to original pics of old Naga tribes. Worth spending time with a nominal fee.
7. The Catholic Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By savio_pinto12 - Mumbai, India
The Cathedral is located on Aradura Hill in Kohima. It is one of the biggest cathedrals in North East India. Its splendid architecture makes it one of the important landmarks of Kohima. The unique design created by blending the traditional with the orthodox resulted in an architectural marvel. It is also home to the largest cross that is made of wood in the country. The magnificent crucifix is carved in wood and is 16 ft high, possibly one of the tallest wooden carved crucifixes in Asia. The Stations of the Cross posed in the main entrance is a special beautiful feature. It is the presentation of Jesus‘ final journey with the cross, the last journey to Calvary. The fourteen stations, pose a real replica to the faithful with its beautiful arrangement on the slope of the hill leading up to the Cathedral.
The Cathedral was inaugurated on the day of the Un’s day of settlement. The Cathedral at this part of India has a very pleasant atmosphere for prayer and worship. The Catholic Cathedral in Kohima is a place worth seeing for its ideal blend of indigenous structural design.
8. Japfu Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
9. Pulie Badze
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Ayinosh - India
Mount Puliebadze which was called as 7522 hill during the Britishers time and also a strategic location for the Japanese for the Battle of Kohima 1944. The hiking begins from a spot near Kohima Science College Jotsoma.
The trek to the top of the mount Pulie badzie is quite tiring but the view from the top is enthralling and scenic. We can see the Kohima town and surrounding villages at the foothills. At the top of the mount is a cross written 'Christ Died For All'. The cross is visible from the kohima town.
10. Dzuleke
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Ulrike R
The road, especially when it's raining, is a bit tricky – but every pot hole / stone on your way is worth bypassing once you reach the Dzuleke Valley. We went up with the motorbikes. Colours and an ambient like in the European Alpes. We saw no one along the way yesterday ... except three bisons. On the way, just when you enter the valley, there are a few cottages where you can stay over night – if you know the owners. Peaceful. Quiet. Fra away from everyway ... Beautiful Nagalnd experience!
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