When and Where
- Dates: 1–10 December every year
- Venue: Naga Heritage Village, Kisama (12 km from Kohima)
What to Expect
Each day, Naga warriors in full traditional regalia — feathered headdresses, tribal jewellery, woven shawls — perform their tribe's distinctive war dances and songs. Watching 17 different tribes perform in sequence is genuinely one of the most remarkable cultural spectacles in Asia.
Aside from performances, the festival grounds host:
- Traditional Naga food stalls — silkworm larvae, smoked pork, fermented bamboo shoot, hornbill beer
- Crafts market with handwoven shawls, bamboo products, and tribal jewellery
- Indigenous games including Naga wrestling and archery
- Rock and music concerts in the evenings (local and national artists)
Permits
Nagaland requires an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for all visitors from outside the state. You can obtain it online via the Nagaland government portal or at the Nagaland House in Delhi, Kolkata, or Guwahati. Processing takes 24–48 hours. Keep physical copies on you at all times.
Getting There
- Dimapur is the nearest airport and railway station (74 km from Kohima, ~3 hours by road)
- Flights connect Dimapur with Kolkata, Guwahati, and Delhi
- Kohima is the base city — most accommodation is here
Where to Stay
Book at least 3 months in advance for festival dates. Hotels in Kohima fill up entirely. Popular options include Hotel Japfü, The Heritage Hotel, and several well-reviewed homestays via Airbnb. During the festival itself, the government also operates tented accommodation near Kisama.
