Mokokchung Tourism

"An urban habitat to Ao Naga" Mokokchung Tourism The most significant urban centre in all of Nagaland after Dimapur andKohimaand the home of Ao Naga. The popular tourist spots in the area include the District Museum, the Town main park, (located just above the Town Center), Unman village (which is regarded as the oldest and largest) and the Ao village. In addition, visitors might also be interested in exploring places likeLongkhum, Langpangkong, Mopungchukit and Chuchuyimlang located within the district. Since agriculture constitutes the main occupation in the area, festivals during the sowing and harvesting months are sure to enhance the tourist's experience. Download Mokokchung PDF Guide > What's Great? An offbeat destination. Untouched natural beauty. Fresh air and clean environment. What's not so Great? Being a small village, Mokokchung might run short on the facilities it offers to its visitors, including limited means of convenient travel and accommodation. For Whom Anyone seeking a getaway in the lap of nature and relax away from the hustle bustle of the city, Mokokchung might be a suitable pick for the same. Ideal for people looking for offbeat travel destinations. 

Aa Naga Tribe The Mokokchung district of Nagaland is inhabited by the Ao Naga tribes. It is believed that they have wandered from Mongolia to Nagaland, through south-east Asia. After the arrival of Christian Missionaries in India, the Ao Naga was the first among the rest of the Naga tribes to convert to Christianity. Presently, almost 100 percent of the Naga population follows Christianity, the majority of them being Baptists. A lot of them have also undertaken Missionary work. Horticulture, forestry and agriculture are the more prominent professions of this tribe with Jhum cultivation being the popular method. According to folklore, the Ao Nagas are believed to have emerged from six stones which symbolize their forefathers. The stones are still intact at a location called Longterok, which means ?six stones?. The village is inhabited by 5 clans- Pongener, Longkumer, Jamir Atsongchanger and Kechutzar. Marriage within the same clan is prohibited. Monogamy is practised and all clans are treated equally. Art and Culture Mokokchung is known as the ?intellectual and cultural capital? of Nagaland. Starting from its inception in the 19th century, through the whole of the 20th century and till the present date, people from Mokokchung have led the state of Nagaland in various fields of academics and culture. It is the birthplace of ?Nagaland Idol?, a singing reality show based on the lines of the popular sing reality singing talent hunt ?American Idol?. Nagaland Idol has the distinction of having garnered the highest TRP and record sales in Nagaland. Christianity is the most practised religion of the place with around 95% people have embraced it. The villagers have an inherited talent for arts and handicrafts. They have excellent skills in pottery, basketry, handloom and weaving, wood carving, wool spinning, metal works etc. Festivals In addition to the elaborate Christmas and New Year festivities, the Ao people are also known for the exorbitant celebrations of a few other festivals. The major festival is the Harvesting Festival Tsungremong, celebrated immediately after the harvest of the crop (generally during the 1st week of August) and involves offering prayers, dances and songs to God. It is the biggest festival of the community. Moatsu is another festival that is celebrated on 2nd May for 3 days and to honour Lijaba- the creator of Earth and to pray for a fruitful cultivation season. The village animatedly comes alive during Moatsu. It is the festival of community bonding and friendship where villagers exchange gifts, feast, organize bonfires and socialise to make new friends. Christmas and New Year are also celebrated on a large scale, owing to the large population of the Christian population. The Quaint Getaway Not just Mokokchung, but a visit to a few nearby villages and towns can be a once in a lifetime experience for anyone planning to visit the place. The villages are associated with legends and stories and were once inhabited by dominant tribes of the region. Some member of the tribe still inhabit the village and are the witness to the beauty and the culture of the area. Villages like Ungma, Molung, and Chuchuyinlang are the major villages near to the town of Mokukchung, which one should visit while on a trip. Various tribe festivals and rituals make these villages come to life, and you'll surely enjoy your time over there. A nearby village, Longkhum is known for its various cultural activities and artwork and thus can be a great visit for someone looking forward to visiting Mokokchung.

Itinerary Although we advise you to visit Mokokchung either during Christmas or New Year or during any one of their festivals, here is an itinerary if you happen to take a trip out of the occasion. The town of Mokokchung has a handful of tourist attractions. Drive from Dimapur airport to Mokokchung which is at a distance of about 208 km. The drive would take about 5 hours. The place is likely to add a cultural overtone to your journey. Begin by visiting the abstract art and cultural museum.This museum exhibits the various artefacts of the Ao Naga Tribe such as weapons, clothing, jewellery, accessories, etc. Proceed to town central to shop for handwoven shawls. Spend some time in the Chuchuyimlang village and interact with the locals. You will find umpteen handcrafted goods to take as souvenirs.  If you are not short on time and you can spare a few days, just simply relax in nature?s retreat. If possible, visit the Sunday mass at Mokokchung church and go for a picnic at the Town Park, just like olden days.

Restaurants and Local Food in Mokokchung The district's restaurants offer a number of options for food from Indian, Chinese, Continental to local Naga cuisine, however street food should preferably be avoided. Also while the cuisine is rich, colourful and adventurous in its non-vegetarian dishes, the choices are somewhat limited in case of vegetarian food.Various preparations of pork, bamboo shoots, chicken are popular. Also, since Nagaland is a dry state, it might not be easy to find alcoholic beverages here, however a local specialty,Rice beeris available and can be enjoyed at some joints.

Oct-Junis the best time to visit Mokokchung Located at the extreme eastern side of the subcontinent, Mokokchung has a temperature pattern characterised by the area. The monsoon experiences heavy rainfall, while other time of the year, the temperature range is moderate and pleasant. Winters and early summers might be your best pick to pay a visit to this beautiful place. Weather in Mokokchung Loading... Mokokchung in Summer (April-July) Summers in Mokokchung are pleasant and comfortable and might be a fantastic time to drop down to this beautiful place. The weather range is moderate and won't create hassle during your trip. Also, the nights are pleasantly comfortable to take a stroll around this beautiful place if that is what is on your wish list. Mokokchung in Monsoon (July-August) The rains in the area are not that heavy but give the weather a nice change. It is though not advisable to visit this place during monsoon, as the rains can sometimes trigger landslides in the area, making the place unsafe for a visit during monsoons. Mokokchung in Winter (November-February) The winters in Mokokchung are pleasant and thus can be the best time of the year for you to visit the place. The temperature ranges from a moderate 15 to 25 degrees Celcius and the days are usually comfortable. The nights can be a bit chilly, but it will altogether be an amazing experience to visit Mokokchung this time of the year. Monthly Weather in Mokokchung Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 9 26 February 12 27 March 15 27 April 20 28 May 22 30 June 24 31 July 24 30 August 24 33 September 24 31 October 21 31 November 16 28 December 12 26

Events in Mokokchung Moatsu Festival 1st - 7th May Full of merry making and fun, the Moatsu festival is observed after the sowing of crops is done. Traditional garments are worn, a big fire is lit and warrior songs are sung by locals.