Balu Mohan

Hornbill festival is called as the festival of all festivals and it is conducted every year from December 1 to 10. We had a wonderful two days here, seeing all the cultural events, tasting strange foods (rice wine, silk worms, dog meat- not your usual breakfast) and buying some of their crafts.

There are many tribes in the state of Nagaland, and this festival is conducted to encourage inter tribal interactions and to promote the heritage of Nagaland. The festival is named after the Indian Hornbill which is mentioned in the folklore of most of the state&#39;s tribes.

The week long festival is filled with colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs and ceremonies. Traditional art like paintings, aculptures, tattooing are also displayed. The highlights of the festival include&nbsp;sale of arts and crafts, food stalls, herbal medicine stalls, flower shows and sales, cultural medley - songs and dances, fashion shows, the Miss Nagaland beauty contest, traditional archery, Naga wrestling, indigenous games, and musical concert.

Being a popular event known all over India, Kohima city is going to be filled with people coming for the festival. There are some problems with the transportation as public transportation was not so penetrated in Nagaland (at least till 2015) and also due to the cold (it is very cold in December there). If you are coming from outside of Nagaland, be prepared to take a lot of taxis/ shared taxis.

Hornbill Festival- Kisama Heritage Village

Hornbill Festival

Nithin Mathew

I had this place in my bucket list for a long time and when had the chance, took the opportunity rightaway.

Went with four other friends and the journey did&#39;nt disspoint from the start. It was one of the very best hikes I ever done and the one of the most wondorous structure I have ever seen. The upward climb is difficult but worth every bit. The trail is through beautiful mountains of Bhutan and before you even start the hike, you can see the far away destination- the monastery constructed in the rock face of a large mountain. Its marvellous to think how someone could make such a structure in a difficult spot like that.

You will spend around three hours to reach the top, mules are available if you are unwell to walk. Throughout the hike, you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the Bhutanese mountains. Although, be careful of the steep drops throughout the trek.

Once you are inside the monastery itself, its a wonderful feeling. Cameras are not allowed inside. The walls of the monastery is covered in murals, there are statues and colourful decorations throughout it&#39;s interiors. There is a cave in the heart of the mountain which you can access, but its a very narrow dark passage. There is a statue inside this narrow cave and its believed that the early monks meditate here. Its like being in the heart of the mountain.

There is also a bell in the monastery which is used only in very un usual circumstances. One of the guides told us that the sound from this bell can be heard in far away Tibet.

Tigers Nest

Excellent Bhutanese cuisines. Nice view as well overlooking a gorge.

The restuarant is located in the Phuntsholing - Thimphu highway. We had our lunch there on the way to Paro and this was my first encounter with Bhutanese Cuisine. The food was delicious, the location was beautiful and the price was very reasonable as well.

The restuarant is constructed the side of a mountain that overlooks a gorge deep down below. It is very nice to have some quality food and at the mean time looking at the beutiful view down below. And they have many window seats! If you are on the way to Paro or Thimphu from Phuntscholing, highly recommended to visit this one.

Sonams Hotel

10 days of adventure battling the cold and the topography.

This was an incredible journey through the Himalayan peaks encountering hailstorms, snowfalls and above all the breathtaking beauty of the ranges. The feelings are difficult to explain but the expedition will make one stronger. There were around 50 people in the expedition, all strangers who become close battling the same hurdles. There were countless experiance throughout this trek which will be cherished throughout the life time. the incredible tall peaks, the gorge&#39;s, the bear den which we explored towards the last day of trek, the snow sliding, the amazing sunsets which floods the white peaked mountains in bright yellow, this journey was truly a great one.

Note: Prepare for extreme cold weather. Also, this trekking was done through Youth Hostel Association of India.

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Balu Mohan

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Dec 2015

Hornbill Festival

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Tigers Nest

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Nov 2015

Sonams Hotel

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May 2015

Chandrakhani Pass Trek

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