Nagaland: LAND OF EERIE SECLUSION

Who said Vasco Da Gamma discovered India in 1498? That part of India called Nagaland is still enveloped in eerie seclusion with human skulls adorning huts, their inhabitants called Nagas are nude and tell mysterious stories! A researcher from Britian who is first among scholars to study the Naga society termed it as England before the Roman's invasion. But these people are most simple and hospitable.

Civilization In The Mist

Don't mind that Africa is no more the "Heart of Darkness", you can still make it to Nagaland. Perhaps it is the last place in the whole world that can give you the experience of Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" with the security and ease of modern day. To write about them would be in volumes. In brief, the Nagas though politically falling under India, belong to the mongoloid race. The land is sandwiched between India, China and Myanmar.

Nagaland Map

One very unique observation is that they have been practicing modern democracy even in their primitive stage and enjoy freedom few good nations are able to enjoy today.

A Get Together

Naga Warriors

EUREKA! ANOTHER AFRICA!!

The world hottest chilli (Naga morich), world's biggest rhododendron tree, world's tallest rice plant, orchids, roses, etc. are found here. Animal species like the one-horned rhino and tragopan are found only in this part of the world. Flora and fauna of the region are yet to be properly documented.

A House To Live In

Call it Sugar-Candy Mountain, Utopia or whatever. In the land of the Nagas there were no king or subjects, police or criminals and jails were not required. Non were unemployed and the "horn of plenty" existed in every house -such was the Naga society, an incredibly perfect world.

Abundance: Paddy Fields

Horn Of Plenty: Beer In Bull Horn

Naga society is so unique and rare that it is still protected by special provisions of the Indian Constitution.Therefore a foreign tourist will require Ristricted Area Permit (RAP)/Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit Nagaland. Even Indians from states other than Nagaland require Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Nagaland. RAP/PAP for tourist is obtainable at Resident commissioner, Nagaland House, 29 Arungazeb Road, New Delhi.

With the arrival of the American missionaries, the society is coming under constant transformation. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT Naga Soiety is transforming from primitive stage to modern and post modern stage in one's life time. Till a century ago they were primitive and never saw vehicles or outsiders. Few decades back they were head hunters and cultivators. Now they are Christians, literate and picking up pace with the world.

Christianity Embraced

Any tourist can't be more fortunate than to be in Nagaland.
Observing the rapid transition of the Naga society is like witnessing a thousand years unfolding in a person's life time.

HORNBILL FESTIVAL 2009

An international festival of tribals and ethnic cultures.

This year cultural troops from India, South Korea, Myanmar and Thailand participated in the international cultural exchange programme which is an annual event held at Kisama, Nagaland from December 1-7.

A Cultural Troop

Tribal Dance

Ethnic Colours of Nagaland

Bonfire mingles All Cultural Troops

Hornbill National Rock Contest 2009

Dzukou Valley

Dzukou Valley

I thought Trekking to Dzukou valley would be rather arduous until I stood on a mountain zenith and discovered the extensive lush greens spread below. Creeks, caves, rivers, flowers, hillocks, a clear sky and a wave of breeze all for a little sweat! A patch of pink and yellow here, a patch of red and violet there, glimmering rivers and steep edges - I thought awesome sights were found only in foreign countries.

The Valley carpeted by flowers

At first I hesitated to visit this gorgeous place thinking that it would not be worth three and a half hours of trekking. After traveling in a local taxi for about 30 Km from Kohima, four of us alighted at Jakhama village and set on foot all the way through deep forest and Steep Mountain slops leading to the valley.

The ascend to Dzukou

At 10:30 we stepped into the virgin valley located on the mountain's opposite side. So excited to be in a little explored valley, I pressed my friends into further exploration and we camped away from the plains of the valley. My friends who had already been there for more than once were also awe struck by exploring the depths of the virgin valley.

Lush of Green and white

We were all certain that we became the first to steep foot on many spots in the valley! Unlike most trekkers who camp in caves in the plains, we camped among dense tall shrubs for three days until our ration run dry and we had to return to Kohima.

Doyang Lake, Nagaland, India.

A view of Doyang Lake.

The Doyang Lake(reservoir) is one of the biggest artificial mountain lake in India. During my visit some officials of the local government were also spending their holidays there and I had great time joining them in fishing. Located at a distance of 110 Km from the state capital Kohima and 30 Km from Wokha, the lake is far away from the hustles and bustles of city life and offers a chance for tourists to experience nature in solemness. Fishing here is very exciting. As you can see in the photograph below, a catch could weigh as big as 25 Kg!

A local proudly displaying his catch.

The Doyang Lake which is a reservoir for the Doyang is a wonderful blending of scientific innovations with nature. This plant provides 75 MW of power to the adjoining states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. The people here are friendly and interactive. Here you know everyone though you don’t know anyone! So, if you ever come here don' forget to participate in the unique community-fishing practiced by them.

Naga Village : Touphema

Inns at Touphema Tourist Village

Trios taking turn in sipping local beer "Zutho"


Set up to preserve and showcase the Naga traditional life style, this village is recognized as a tourist village by the local government. The unique Naga house adorned with ceremonial decorations, the grand Naga Kitchen, auditorium, Morung/machang, and a mesuim displaying rare archives from this little known land are the main attractions of Touphema tourist village. The village , located about 40 Km from the capital town Kohima, preserves the traditional life style of the Nagas in all its entirety and is easily accessible.

Stuated on a hillock, the surrounding natural scene is worth mentioning. Its a hill station to be apt! Cultural shows take place on more or less regular basis in the village. Troops from many of the Naga tribes are always on the standby for a performance should a tourist be eager for it. Their dances are war dances. Naga war dancers always dress themselves in primitive costumes with all war gears.

My regret is that I can not let anyone who reads this blog taste the lunch served at the grand Naga kitchen. Only a seasoned gourmet could explain what it is like to eat at the grand kitchen. I strongly wish that all tourist drop here for lunch! The foods prepared and served here are like that in the "Asterix" series of comic books reading which always watered my mouth. The size of the steak, roasting of whole pig, serving plates 2ft in diameter, varied fruits and spices, pickles made of world's hottest chilli, the giant table and the sweet aroma are all I wish the whole world could have. SSSSmmm! Wish I could be there right now!