Nagaland

Has anyone been or know much about Nagaland? I'm writing a sequel to my book OVERLAND, and want to incorporate Nagaland into it.

I'm open for any and all information. I've been to India, but so unfamiliar to Nagaland, I don't even know what questions to ask.

thank you!

Dear Mark,
I was in Nagaland at the beginning of this month (December) for the Hornbill festival.

A simple search on Google will give you a great deal of basic information on Nagaland. At the risk of sounding rather simplistic, I would summarize Nagaland as being a state with a predominantly tribal population that presents a great deal of cultural diversity. The people are of Indo-Mongoloid stock originally derived from (it is believed) Indonesia. The most well-known aspects of Nagaland are the (now extinct) practice of head-hunting and the indigenous Naga dormitories called morungs. There are 14 main tribes and various sub-tribes that inhabit the state. Nagaland also has a festering problem of insurgency. But, as I said, Google can find you much more comprehensive information in a heartbeat.

P.S. It would help if you could specify broadly what kind of information you are looking for e.g., whether it's information on culture, history, travel, destinations to visit etc.

Last month I travelled quiet extensively through Nagaland and also witnessed the amazing Hornbill festival. Where you want to travel will really depend on what you would like to see, if you like nature then Khonoma and Chizame are good places if you are interested in culture then Mon district would be the best place to go.

One more thing you will have to keep in mind as a foreigner is the hassel of Permits. To my knowledge it takes quite a long time to get a permit and you have to be in a group of 4. So please take all these factors into consideration.

I am unsure if there are regular flights to Dimapur, which is Nagaland's only airport. It is a long 450-km drive from Guwahati to Kohima via Dimapur, from where access restrictions apply. Buses run from Guwahati to Nagaland. Road is good.

1. Nagaland is restricted area, foreginers need special inner line permits. (which could be arranged from New Delhi)
2. It is has a long running insurgency, surprisingly there is not much about it in the national/international media. There is a lot of factional infighting among the insurgent groups.
3. The entire north-east is politically un-stable, and there are general strikes inculding shutdowns of cities, towns and highways at the drop of a hat. The travel plan has to be flexible when you are in this part of the world.
4. The people of Nagaland are generally hospitable to foreigners. It would help to get in touch with local christian organizations as the church is a very important part of the local culture.
5. Beg to differ with hvkumar, the roads are NOT good in these parts.
6. There are flights to Dimapur airport in Nagaland, which fly from Kolkata.

Post here if you have specific queries, will try to respond.

I actually meant only the main road running from Guwahati to Kohima via Dimapur. Agree that interior roads can be bad from time to time, incl. the main road.

Well, there is a lot of road building activity on the Highway, and it is all dug up the last I heard. Train from Guwahati to Dimpur would be a better option in my opinion.

@ Ikkoku_senkin / @ Piran_e

I along with couple of my freinds would be going to Hornbill festival this year after Gocheal trek and will be reaching Dimapur by 30th Nov afternoon.
Somewhere I heard that permits for Indians are given in Dimapur on arrival during Hornbill festival and its not required to get it in advance (during Hornbill festival). Can you please let me know is it correct ?
If not, how to get permit in advance ? Do you know any travel agents who could do it?

Cheers!