Khonoma

November 11, 2019

Khonoma

This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nagaland due to it’s proximity to Kohima. Share taxi’s ply regularly from Kohima. I hired a private vehicle from Kohima (Rs 600/-). Since I had arrived by 7 PM, everything was closed. To make matters worse, it was the night before Easter. I went around searching for a few homestays but they were all closed. Finally, I checked into the Dovipee inn.

Community planting flowering plants on the road

This village is known as the green village. It also prides itself in being one of the cleanest villages in Nagaland. Once a week the villagers come together and collect trash from the wayside. Another group was planning flowering plants on the wayside. The whole community takes part in keeping the village beautiful. This is how the world should operate!!

Places to Visit

Listed monuments: This tomb commemorating the death of Major C.R.Cock , Mr. D.H. Damant and Subedar Nubir Sahi is an Archaeological Survey of India listed monument. These men were among the first to be killed in Nagland during colonisation. This tomb was erected in 1879 and the marble for the tomb was brought here from Calcutta. Walk further up the stairs and there is a fort that doesn’t look like one. This too was built by the British during their colonisation. There are 2 main roads in Khonoma; the lower circular road and upper circular road. These two roads meet near the Church. Climb up the flight of stairs opposite this church to get here.

Terhuotsiese

Terhuotsiese: This literally means ‘Stone erected by the Spirits’. Legend has it that one dark night the villagers heard the rallying cry “Oho...Oho” and the victory shout “Alulu” coming deep within the forest. It appeared that there was a big ceremony happening deep within the forest. The next day the villagers found that a large unusual stone had miraculously appeared at the edge of the village. The stone appeared to have been tied down and dragged to the present location.

Vanishing stone: Once upon a time a woman was working in the paddy fields. She had left her infant beside a stone. When she returned, the baby was missing. It is believed that the stone was responsible for the disappearance of the baby.

Protector of wild animals: In the nearby forest is a rock that vaguely resembles a human face. This is believed to be the protector of all animals in the forest.

Circular tombs

Circular tombs: Dotted in the village are circular structures with stones sticking out. These are the tombs of high village elders. To become eligible for a circular tomb, the deceased had to do a prescribed number of feasts and offer gifts to all the villagers during his lifetime. During times of crisis, the village elders would hold discussions on these circular tombs. The stones that stick out were meant to be used as seats. It was believed that the spirit of the ancestors would guide them if the meeting were conducted on the tomb. With the adoption of Christianity, all these customs have died out.

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