Post Written by:Wapangla | An HR Specialist who loves to teach, a travel maniac and obsessed with nature.
“Your soul stays back on your first visit. You have to come back to retrieve your soul” – that is the bequest of the village of Longkhum which is situated at a high altitude of around 6056 feet above sea level at Mokokchung district in Nagaland, India.
Known for its serenity, famous for its Romeo & Juliet legend and the fact that it’s one of the oldest & largest villages, I could not resist visiting it twice. And believe me I want to go back again. But next time when I do, I am hiking it all the way from its beautiful cherry blossom entrance of the village till the eagle’s nest which is known as Mongzu-Ki. It is believed that eagles have been nesting there for centuries.
One of my favourite locations at Longkhum is the ‘Jubilee Tower’ which is at the highest point of the village. One can see from the tower the entire village and also the picturesque valleys and hills around – perfect location for those who loves photography. I can fondly remember the raging wind at the top of the tower where our hairs were literally flown up throughout. It was a surreal experience.
Since I love walking especially around nature, the Stone Bridge or ‘Longlangba’ (as known locally), gives one a complete serene experience with huge old trees surrounding the area. Another interesting attraction you shouldn’t miss is the preserved footprints (on the rock surface) of Chenna and Etiben – the Romeo and Juliet of the Ao’s.
Another one of my favourite location is the ‘Memorial Site of Imkongmeren’ – one of the earliest Naga freedom fighter. Set and built with modern marbles, it provides the perfect spot for posers like me to click some few pictures with the blue sky and the lush cloud as the background. One of the largest rivers in Nagaland, Doyang can be seen including some few villages from the spot.
In addition, the sheer joy of walking around the clean green village with scenic beauty and friendly faces makes the visit worthwhile. My forefathers are from this village and it makes me proud and happy to share something about Longkhum – the Vanguard Village during the days of headhunting.
About Wapangla: An HR Specialist who loves to teach, a travel maniac and obsessed with nature.
“Travelling leaves you speechless, and then turns you into a storyteller . . .”
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