Nagaland ·

Kohima

Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland in North-Eastern India. Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place.

Kohima at a Glance

Best TimeOctober to March
Ideal Duration2 Days
Destination TypePilgrimage
RegionNorth India
Location, Nagaland
LanguagesHindi · English

Why Kohima?

The highlights, landmarks and experiences that make this destination worth visiting.

  • Kohima Botanical Garden
  • Nagaland State Museum
  • Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church
  • Kohima Lotha Baptist Church
  • Kohima Ao Baptist Church
  • Ministers' Hill Baptist Church

Kohima at a Glance

Essential travel information to understand Kohima before planning your visit.

Location: Nagaland
Destination Type: Pilgrimage
Best Time: October to March
How to Reach: Dimapur Airport (DMU), about 41 km
Ideal Duration: 2 Days
Nearby Places: 5 places nearby
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Explore Kohima

Places to Visit

  • Kohima Botanical Garden: Kohima Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Kohima, Nagaland, India. It is located in the New Ministers' Hill Ward of Kohima.
  • Nagaland State Museum: The Nagaland State Museum is a museum located in Bayavü Hill, Kohima, Nagaland, India. It is operated by the Department of Art and Culture, Nagaland.
  • Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church: Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church (Mizo: Kohima Mizo Kohhran Biak In), is a church located in Kohima in the Indian state of Nagaland. Established in 1957, the church is the earliest Mizo church located outside Mizoram.
  • Kohima Lotha Baptist Church: Kohima Lotha Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in the locality of Lower Chandmari Ward, Kohima, Nagaland, India. The church building was opened in 2017, although the congregation had been formed since 1956.
  • Kohima Ao Baptist Church: Kohima Ao Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in Midland Ward, Kohima, Nagaland, India affiliated with the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang. KABA was one of the first Ao churches established outside the Ao region.
  • Ministers' Hill Baptist Church: Ministers' Hill Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in the locality of the Old Ministers' Hill Ward, Kohima in the Indian state of Nagaland. The church building was opened in 2002, although the Baptist congregation had been formed since 1966.
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Things to Do

  • Bara Basti: Supposedly the second largest village in Asia. See the traditional Angami way of life.
  • Catholic Church on Aradhurah Hill: Located near the Little Flower School. This is the biggest church of its kind in the predominantly Christian north-eastern region of India.
  • The Deputy Commissioner's Bungalow: For over a month, Japanese troops battled British and Indian troops at this small bungalow in Kohima. The battle, known as the Battle of the Tennis Court, was the turning point in the fight against Japan and the bungalow still stands in this state capital.
  • Nagaland State Museum: Though information is somewhat limited, the museum has nice displays and some rare Naga artifacts and archaeological finds; as of April 2019, there is a very interesting photo exhibition and models of traditional sports equipment.
  • Kohima War Cemetery: The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth Graves Commission for the Allied war dead. The cemetery lies on the slopes of Garrison Hill, in what was once the Deputy Commissioner's tennis court, which was the scene of intense fighting known as the "Battle of the Tennis Court".
  • Kohima Zoo: You can see the rare Tragopan bird, the state bird of Nagaland and the Mithun, the state animal.
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Sightseeing Places

  • Kohima Botanical Garden: Kohima Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Kohima, Nagaland, India. It is located in the New Ministers' Hill Ward of Kohima.
  • Nagaland State Museum: The Nagaland State Museum is a museum located in Bayavü Hill, Kohima, Nagaland, India. It is operated by the Department of Art and Culture, Nagaland.
  • Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church: Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church (Mizo: Kohima Mizo Kohhran Biak In), is a church located in Kohima in the Indian state of Nagaland. Established in 1957, the church is the earliest Mizo church located outside Mizoram.
  • Kohima Lotha Baptist Church: Kohima Lotha Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in the locality of Lower Chandmari Ward, Kohima, Nagaland, India. The church building was opened in 2017, although the congregation had been formed since 1956.
  • Kohima Ao Baptist Church: Kohima Ao Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in Midland Ward, Kohima, Nagaland, India affiliated with the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang. KABA was one of the first Ao churches established outside the Ao region.
  • Ministers' Hill Baptist Church: Ministers' Hill Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in the locality of the Old Ministers' Hill Ward, Kohima in the Indian state of Nagaland. The church building was opened in 2002, although the Baptist congregation had been formed since 1966.
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Places That Define Kohima

Explore the most iconic landmarks and sacred sites.

Kohima Botanical Garden

Kohima Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Kohima, Nagaland, India. It is located in the New Ministers' Hill Ward of Kohima.

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Nagaland State Museum

The Nagaland State Museum is a museum located in Bayavü Hill, Kohima, Nagaland, India. It is operated by the Department of Art and Culture, Nagaland.

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Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church

Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church (Mizo: Kohima Mizo Kohhran Biak In), is a church located in Kohima in the Indian state of Nagaland. Established in 1957, the church is the earliest Mizo church located outside Mizoram.

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Kohima Lotha Baptist Church

Kohima Lotha Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in the locality of Lower Chandmari Ward, Kohima, Nagaland, India. The church building was opened in 2017, although the congregation had been formed since 1956.

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Kohima Ao Baptist Church

Kohima Ao Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in Midland Ward, Kohima, Nagaland, India affiliated with the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang. KABA was one of the first Ao churches established outside the Ao region.

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Ministers' Hill Baptist Church

Ministers' Hill Baptist Church is a Baptist church located in the locality of the Old Ministers' Hill Ward, Kohima in the Indian state of Nagaland. The church building was opened in 2002, although the Baptist congregation had been formed since 1966.

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Angami Baptist Church Council

The Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) is one of the 20 associations in the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC). Through the NBCC, the ABCC is part of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA).

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Naga Bazaar Ward

Naga Bazaar Ward is a ward located under Nagaland's capital city, Kohima. The ward falls under the designated Ward No. 4 of the Kohima Municipal Council and is sub-divided into Upper Naga Bazaar and Lower Naga Bazaar.

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New Market Ward

New Market Ward is a ward located under Nagaland's capital city, Kohima. The ward falls under the designated Ward No. 8 of the Kohima Municipal Council.

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Kohima War Cemetery

The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth Graves Commission for the Allied war dead. The cemetery lies on the slopes of Garrison Hill, in what was once the Deputy Commissioner's tennis court, which was the scene of intense fighting known as the "Battle of the Tennis Court".

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Catholic Church on Aradhurah Hill

Located near the Little Flower School. This is the biggest church of its kind in the predominantly Christian north-eastern region of India.

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Kohima Zoo

You can see the rare Tragopan bird, the state bird of Nagaland and the Mithun, the state animal.

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Explore Destination on Map

Discover all sub-destinations, routes and detailed navigation information on an interactive map.

Explore Kohima on Map

Open the destination map to discover attractions and routes.

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Plan Your Trip

Plan Your Way

  • When to Visit: Climate-based guidance for choosing your dates.
  • Getting Around: How to reach and move around.
  • Budget & Practical Tips: Costs and safety notes from local guidebook sources.
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All Itineraries

  • 1 Day in Kohima: 1 days with detailed day plans
  • 2 Days in Kohima: 2 days with detailed day plans
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How to Reach

  • By Air: The nearest airport is Dimapur Airport (DMU), about 41 km from Kohima.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is Zubza Railway Station, about 8 km from central Kohima.
  • By Road: By bus Kohima is connected to Imphal, Dimapur, Guwahati, Tinsukia and other major cities of North-Eastern India. The bus journey from Kohima to Dimapur is 2½ to 4 hours (depending on the bus).
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Best Time to Visit

  • Summer: Summer in Kohima (Apr, May, Jun) averages 16–23°C with about 488 mm of rain per month.
  • Monsoon: Monsoon in Kohima (Jul, Aug, Sep) averages 19–25°C with about 605 mm of rain per month.
  • Post-monsoon: Post-monsoon in Kohima (Oct, Nov) averages 13–22°C with about 195 mm of rain per month.
  • Winter: Winter in Kohima (Dec, Jan, Feb) averages 7–19°C with about 19 mm of rain per month.
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Weather

  • Summer: Average highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C.
  • Monsoon: Average highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C.
  • Post-monsoon: Average highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C.
  • Winter: Average highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C.
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Travel Tips

  • Staying safe: Kohima is generally calmer than several other parts of northeastern India, and the latest United States travel advisory reports no recent violence in Nagaland. Nevertheless, insurgent activity, political disputes and sudden unrest have affected the wider region.
  • Getting around: Walking is the best way to feel the pulse of the capital. Local taxis are widely available and typically charge Rs. 100 to 200 for destinations within the town centre (as of March 2025).
  • Climate: Kohima has pleasant winters with little rainfall and very warm, very rainy summers. The coolest months are from December to February, when frost may occur and in the highest altitudes occasional snowfall is possible.
  • Heat: Daytime highs reach about 26°C in August; carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning.
  • Rain: The wettest months are March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October; check road and site conditions before travelling.
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Suggested Itinerary

Choose the perfect duration for your Kohima trip.

Spiritual & Religious

History

  • Summary: Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland in North-Eastern India. Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place.
  • Overview: Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland in North-Eastern India. Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place.
Read More

Festivals

  • Overview: Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland in North-Eastern India. Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place.
  • Best Festival Time: The most comfortable months are January, February, November and December.
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Religious Significance

  • Summary: Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland in North-Eastern India. Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place.
  • Famous For: Known for Kohima Botanical Garden, Nagaland State Museum and Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church.
  • Overview: Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland in North-Eastern India. Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place.
Read More

Planning Guide

  • Overview: Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland in North-Eastern India. Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place.
  • Accommodation: There is one backpacker oriented hostel behind the main bus station but dorms are ₹300/night so you will find better value in local hotels near the main bus station.
  • Best Way To Explore: Walking is the best way to feel the pulse of the capital. Local taxis are widely available and typically charge Rs. 100 to 200 for destinations within the town centre (as of March 2025).
Read More

The Sacred Heart of Kohima

A timeless journey of faith and devotion.

  1. Significance

    The major religion in Kohima is Christianity which is practised by 80.22% of the population. Other religions includes Hinduism (16.09%), Islam (3.06%) and Buddhism (0.45%).

  2. Spiritual Significance

    The major religion in Kohima is Christianity which is practised by 80.22% of the population. Other religions includes Hinduism (16.09%), Islam (3.06%) and Buddhism (0.45%).

  3. Pilgrimage Traditions

    The people are very friendly and warm hearted. It had a population of 115,000 in 2011.

Weather Overview

Best Months: February, November, January, December
Explore about Weather

Frequently Asked Questions

Kohima is most comfortable in January, February, November and December, when average daytime highs stay at or below 32°C and rainfall is low. The hottest month is August (average high 26°C) and the wettest months are March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October.

The nearest airport is Dimapur Airport (DMU), about 41 km away. The nearest railway station is Zubza Railway Station, about 8 km away. See the How to Reach page for road, rail and air details.

Main attractions include Kohima Botanical Garden, Nagaland State Museum, Kohima Mizo Presbyterian Church, Kohima Lotha Baptist Church, Kohima Ao Baptist Church and Ministers' Hill Baptist Church.

A stay of 2 days covers the main sights. Ready-made 1-day and 2-day itineraries are linked on this page.

Average highs range from 18°C to 26°C over the year, with about 3887 mm of rain in total.

Your Kohima Journey Starts Here

Explore top attractions, local culture, and the experiences that make this destination worth visiting.