A Village in the Mountains~Khonoma

If there has to be a green village,then it has to be in the mountains and that is exactly where Khonoma is-in the Mountains.With an estimated budget of Re 3 Crores as a part of the Green Village Project, all the roofs in this village were painted green.Now most of the color is gone.

View of Khonoma village from the peak

Around 20kms away from Kohima,Khonoma, India's first green village,is tucked up in the middle of the mountains,surrounded with paddy fields all around.It was a dusty ride from Kohima to Khonoma.We crossed a small stream of water ,granite quarries,some old and antique trucks laying on one side to reach Khonoma.

Dusty road from Kohima to Khonoma.Most part of the road is like this.

As with most of the naga villages,this village also had its own gate to protect themselves from enemies.As we climbed up the steps it was like going back in time with wooden houses,mended walls,wild apple trees and the colorful windflowers.The view from the peak was amazing with magnificent terrace paddy fields down the valley between the mountains.The peak of the hill is the memorial site for British officer G.H.Damant who fought against Khonoma who was later killed along with other Bristish officers,Sub.Major Nurbir Sai,Major C.R.Cock and H.H.Furbes.We spent some time admiring the fields and the view from the peak.Just adjacent to the peak there was a lane leading down the village.It's sometimes good to travel without any known person from that place where we end up exploring the place much better.

This pathway leading to the top of the peak made me feel like i'm walking in the medival period,with one side full of windflowers.Stepped paddy fields or terrace fields are common in the north east.Not sure about the authenticity but about 20 types of rice are grown here.

It was our seventh day in Nagaland and that probably was enough time to understand and experience the courteous naga hospitality.As we walked down the village we came across this man who was standing outside his house and drinking rice beer.After a few minutes of our talk he invited us into his house and offered us the traditional Naga rice beer.We were greeted by his daughter who gave us the rice beer.This rice beer was a stronger from what we had at the hornbill festival.Home made is afterall the best.

Father and Daughter at Khonoma Village.He offered us the rice beer at his home

Few meters down the peak, we walked into the other side of the village which was preparing for a feast later that night.A young boy walked before us holding the heads of two pigs.Most of the womenfolk were gathered at the community center preparing for the feast, few old men cracking jokes while the kids and young people were having fun playing.There was a big water tank which was one of the source of drinking water for the people of khonoma.The water was pretty cold,when i drank from it.

Women at the community center preparing for the feast.Most of these women were washing vessels,cutting vegetables.I saw this little girl sitting in a corner.

A giant rock memorial at stands near the entrance of Khonoma village.

A village known for their courageous warriors who fought against the British ,the village were A.Z.Phizo,who was the leader of Naga Nationalist Movement and regarded as the "Father of the Nagas" belonged to ,has come a long way from fighting wars against enemies to conservation of nature.
To reach Khonoma from Kohima
We hired a taxi near Kohima bus stand for Re 1000/- .Walked around the village for 3 hours before starting back and got down near Kohima war memorial.