Nestled in the foothills of the eastern Himalayan range, Nagaland is a beautiful valley that boasts its beauty with untouched natural beauty, breathtaking landscapes, and unique culture that has made it among the popular hill stations of the country. Located on the easternmost side of Indian Territory, Nagaland is also popular for its old-age customs and rituals that add to the uniqueness of the state. Being among the smallest states of the country, Nagaland shares an international boundary with Myanmar which highly influences their rich cuisines. From the majestic view of the verdant hills to its rich historic significance, the state of Nagaland is a place that needs to be visited once in a lifetime.
Holidays Packages in Nagaland
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Popular Sightseeing Locations in Nagaland
Touphema Village
Setup with the help of the Tourism Department of Nagaland, Touphema Village is a traditional Naga village that offers a glimpse of Naga culture and lifestyle. It also has a tourist village with comfortable huts that offer the tradition and decoration of Naga tribes.
Dzukou Valley
Explore the stunning valley situated on the Manipur-Nagaland border, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and thrilling trekking paths. Popular known as the Switzerland of the East, the valley offers trekking adventures attracting trekkers from all over the world.
Shilloi Lake
A natural freshwater lake located in the Phek district of Nagaland. It is surrounded by lush green hills and is considered sacred by the local people. The lake has a huge cultural significance for the locals and therefore is a must-visit site in this region.
Khonoma Village
Khonoma Village is a historic village known for its role in eco-tourism and conservation. The village has a community-managed forest reserve that offers trekking and bird-watching opportunities.
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Nagaland Travel Info
History
The state of Nagaland holds a rich history with its early inhabitants dating back to the early 4th century. The place is located on the ancient trade route connecting Tibet to southern India. The Kachari Kingdom used to have huge dominance in this region which can still be witnessed in the form of historic ruins and ancient sites. In the 19th century, the state was under British rule which led to various changes in their lifestyle and culture. Later in the year 1963, the region was added as an integral part of India.
Geography and Climate
The state of Nagaland is known for its diverse topography and stunning geography that is mostly dominated by verdant hills, lush greenery and climatic diversity. The state is blessed with a network of rivers, including the Doyang and Dikhu that makes the region highly fertile for agriculture and cultivation of vegetables. The Patkai mountain range is considered a natural border with Myanmar that is known for its scenic beauty. The state experiences a monsoonal climate with an annual rainfall of 2500mm.
People and Culture
Nagaland's unique identity is showcased by its diverse population consisting of 16 ethnic tribes, with each of them having a distinct language, customs, and traditions. The Angami, Ao, Lotha, and Chakhesang are some of the prominent tribes of this region that highly contribute to the overall culture of the state. The people of Nagaland are known for their good physique and warrior traditions. Konyak tribe also known as the head hunters is the most unique tribe of the state who used to practice head hunting until the 1960s. The people are also highly skilled in arts and crafts that can be seen in local shops.
Food and Cuisines
Nagaland is highly known for its unique cuisine that is popular for offering foods cooked with local ingredients. The cuisine does not have any limitation in ingredients and are known for eating any kind of animal from pig and chicken to dog and snake. Rice is the part of staple diet that is mostly served with various forms of chutneys and curries. Myanmar is located adjacent to the state which is also known to have a high influence on the Naga cuisine. While most of the dishes include meats and fish, there are ample food options for vegetarians as well. Some of the popular Naga dishes that need to be relished include
- Fish Cooked in Bamboo
- Bushmeat
- Zutho
- Chokibo
- Aikibeye
- Akini
Festival
The state of Nagaland is not only popular for its fascinating natural beauty but also known for hosting some of the biggest festivals in the entire country. These festivals reflect the rich cultural diversity and lifestyle of the people. Home to various ethnic tribes the state includes various festivals that are celebrated throughout the year, due to which the state is also known as the ‘Land of Festivals’. The festive seasons are the time when people gather around to celebrate with great energy and happiness. Some of the major festivals include
- Hornbill Festival
- Sekrenyi
- Tsukheneye
- Aoleang
- Naknyulem
- Mimkut
- Tokhu Emong
Popular Activities in Nagaland
How to Reach
Air : Taking a flight is the best and the fastest way to travel to Nagaland. Dimapur Airport is the largest and major airport in the state that connects to the major cities of India.
Train : The state of Nagaland is well connected with the rest of the Indian states by railways. Dibrugarh Rajdhani, Avadh Assam Express and Jan Shatabdi Express are some of the major railways of the state.
Road : Being situated in the easternmost region of the country, the state is well connected with other states of India through roadways. There are more than 33 national highways that pass through the state allowing easy access from any part of the country.