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About Dimapur |
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Dimapur is the largest city in
Nagaland, India. In the Middle Ages, it was the capital of the
Dimasa Kachari rulers. In the heart of the town there is an
old historical object of the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom which
speaks about the once wealthy era. Dimapur is the 115 th most
crowded city in the country. It is located at 25°54′45″N
93°44′30″E and is surrounded by Kohima district on the south
and east, Karbi Anglong district of Assam on the west, the
Karbi Anglong and stretch of Golaghat District of Assam, in
the west and the north. Dimapur city also has the only
functional airport in the state. Dimapur contains ruins of
temples, reservoirs and other monuments of which the most
prominent are their monumental structures. The monoliths
represent the complex customs of the sect of fertility. The
wonderfully executed entrances to these monuments is in
perfect condition even now. Blocks of stone and brick pieces
with various patterns that lie scattered, still disclose the
creativity. The North East Zone Cultural Center, which is
about 3 km from the Dimapur railway station has a small
well-preserved museum showcasing the cultural heritage of the
Northeast. Market of Dimapur city are famous for imported
goods from China , Burma and Thailand. On the outskirts lies Chumukedima from where one can take a short trek up the hill
to the Naga Tourist Village and the Patkai Triple Falls. The
North East- Zonal Cultural Center, the center for all cultural
activities, is a kilometre away from Dimapur Airport.
Dimapur is the commercial center of
Nagaland and it is one of the major district which derives its
name from the Dimasa Kachari dialect, -'DIMA' means - great
River, and pur means city, altogether it means 'City of Great
River'. It is the gateway to Nagaland which has the only
railhead and also has the only functional airport that
operates flights to Kolkata and Guwahati. It is a vital trade
and commercial centre which has a quite cosmopolitan look..
The town of Medziphema, Kuhuboto, enclosed by villages like
Sakipheto, Alato, Aoyimkum, Darogarjan, and Nihoto are visited
by many tourists. Noune resort located near Niuland is a
perfect place for boating, Niathu resort being the best resort
so far. Apart from these, Diphupar, Nichuguard, Sukhajan, Kuki
Dolong, Thilixu and Seithekima Village are visited. Chekiye
and Ruzaphema is well-known for several bazaars from where
tourists can purchase attractive handicrafts. A number of
shopping centers and markets have sprung up in Dimapur, with
the New Market, Hong Kong Market, Central Plaza and Bank
colony (Super market area) and Circular and NL roads serving
as the main commercial areas in the city.
A number of shopping centers and
markets have opened in Dimapur, with the New Market, Hong Kong
Market, Central Plaza and Bank colony (Super market area) and
Circular and NL roads which serves as the main commercial
areas in the city, The Complexes and shopping centres have
sprung upto Nuton bosti. The places along the NH 39 is also
developing into a commercial areas where there has been
changes in the last few years. The city's markets are famous
for imported goods from Thailand, China and Burma.
The Nagaland Industrial Growth Centre
is located at Ganeshnagar of Dhansiripar Sub-Division, where
most of the Dimasa Kachari lived — an area consisting of seven
Dimasa Villages (Dhansiripar, Disaguphu, Amaluma, Doyapur,
Ganeshnagar, Hazadisa and Manglumukh). |
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History of
Dimapur |
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Located on the banks of the River
Dhansiri, (originally known as Dong-siri meaning a narrow valley
of quiet environment) Dimapur, often described as the ‘Brick
City’ by European researchers and also by the Ahoms, was the
ancient capital of a ruling nation, the Dimasa, who were once a
leading and predominant race in the whole North-East India
region mainly the Brahmaputra Valley. There are two versions of
how Dimapur got its name. Many writers are of the opinion that
the name ’ Dimapur’ was derived from Dimasa Kachari words Di-meaning
water, Ma-meaning big and Pur-meaning city or township in Dimasa
dialogue. while other believe that Dimapur is a corruption of
Hidimbapur, meaning the city of Hidimba of Mahabharata
prominence whose wedlock with Pandava prince Bhima gave birth to
Ghotokacha, who is believed to be the progenitor of the Kacharis.
Later Hidimbapur pass to to Dimbapur and then finally to
Dimapur. In some Dimasa Kachari folklores Dimapur is often
referred as Dimabang Halali, which implies that Dimapur was
initially known by that name but was Sanskritized later by the
Brahmins. In Ahom Chronicles, Dimapur has been described as
‘Che-din-chi-pen’ (town-earth-burn-make) meaning ‘brick town’ or
‘ Che-Dima’ meaning town of Dimasa.
The seat of capital of Dimapur Kingdom
was originally bounded by bricks walls of four feet wide,
sixteen feet high with outer channel running alongside the walls
of sixteen feet width and twelve feet in depth except on the
southern side where the River Dhansiri served as the natural
channel. On the eastern side there was a fine solid gateway with
brick stonework of pointed double arcs. The gate was protected
by double heavy doors centered in pierced upright setting of
solid stone blocks. At both ends of the battlement there were
towers of half quadrant shape and in between the arc-way and the
towers there were positions which resembles decorative windows.
On both sides above the arc there were symbolic works of sun
flower. These were originally inset by bright brass coating and
could be seen amazing from the great distance. Inside the
fortified city, there were seventeen artistic stone pillars.
These stone monuments were ornamented with statues of foliage,
flowers, familiar animals and birds but nowhere any human images
of gods and goddesses were seen. These implied that the Kacharis
were free of Hindu influence at that time. These monoliths are
believed to be lineal monuments of the ruling kings of Dimapur.
The biggest of them was seventeen feet high and twenty four feet
in circumference and was said to be memorial of the greatest
Dimapur ruler Makardhwaj (probably Khungkradoa Raja who was
given sanskritized name by Brahmins later) in whose time the
traditional glory of the Kachari Kingdom rose to its peak and
during whose time the invasions were made of Manipur and Burma
by Seng yah (Veer) Dehmalu Kemprai, the greatest warlord of the
Kacharis. Also during this period, heroes like Rangadao (Who was
given the southern part of Dimapur, Ranga Pathar after his
name), Degadao and mystic heroines like Wairingma, Waibangma
flourished in war affairs and spirituality.
During World War II, Dimapur was the
centre of action between British India and Imperial Japan. The
Japanese could reach Kohima where a siege was laid. Allied
reinforcement came through Dimapur by rail and road for the push
against the Japanese. An airport at Dimapur was also in use for
supplies to the related forces in Burma. The battle for Kohima
about 77 km from Dimapur is considered the turning point for the
Japanese retreat from South East Asia.
Dimapur has a population of 375,782.
Dimapur has extended up to the foothills of Chumukedima |
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Tourist Attractions in Dimapur |
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There are various tourist attractions
in Dimapur, such as ancient villages, waterfalls, ruins of the
Dimasa Kachari Kingdom, and the Kali Temple.
Niuland subdivision and Chumukedima
Village is an ancient village well-known for its various
picturesque beauty and waterfalls. The town of Medziphema,
Kuhuboto, surrounded by villages like Sakipheto, Alato, Aoyimkum,
Darogarjan, and Nihoto are visited by many tourists. The Kachari
Ruins is famous for various temples, reservoirs and tanks that
belonged to the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom. Noune resort located
near Niuland is an perfect place for boating. Niathu resort is
the best resort in Dimapur.
Apart from these, Diphupar, Nichuguard,
Sukhajan, Kuki Dolong, Thilixu and Seithekima Village are
visited. Chekiye and Ruzaphema is famous for various bazaars
from where tourists can purchase beautiful handicrafts.
Famous Tourist Attractions in
Dimapur are-
1) Green Park
Green Park is a cool place to relax or spend leisure time for
tourist as well as the locals alike. This park is located within
the state Horticulture Nursery. There is a restaurant inside
the park which has dormant shades boating facilities inside the
park gives you every opportunity to relax and enjoy.
2) Rajbari (Ruins of
Kachari Kingdom)
The Kachari Ruins are a set of ruins situated at Walford Colony
Dimapur. Their history dates back to the 10th century when they
emerged during the Kachari civilization. The Kachari Ruins is a
series of mushroom domed pillars. They were created by the
Kachari Kingdom, which ruled here before the Ahom attack into
the territory during the 13th Century AD. Their source and
intention are largely strange. The pillars are not well
maintained. Some pillars still stand in all their magnificence
but others have collapsed down. It is believed that a game
similar to chess was played there with the mushroom dooms.
3) Diezephe Craft
Village
Diezephe Craft Village is situated about 13 km from Dimapur
which houses weavers and craftmen who engage in the arts of
woodcarving, bamboo and Can works At present there are about
ninty (90) craftsmen in the village. This workshop is
fecilitated with various tools that can be used by craftsmen
after a sum of Rs.150 per day.;
4) Zoological Park
The Zoological Park is launched on 28th Aug 2008 with the aim to
serve as a Conservation Centre for fauna of North-East India in
general and Nagaland particular and besides to inculcate and
develop a sense of caring towards flora and fuana. It has a
total area of 176 ha.
5) Science Park
Nagaland Science Centre has been setup behind the Naga Shoping
Arcade. It has been setup with the basic objective of developing
a scientific temper in the society and to promote innovative
learning of science in a informal way.
It houses different galleries namely,
Our Senses, Fun Science and Children's Corner. Besides this
Taramandal, an exclusively designed inflatable dome Planetariun
makes one ascend deep into the sky by the night. Also a science
park in the open air makes young children come close to the
nature and play with specially designed exhibits placed in the
natural surrounding. |
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Climate
of Dimapur |
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Dimapur Climate is hot and humid
in the plains during summer (reaching a maximum of 36 °C,
with humidity up to 93%) while the winter months are cool
and pleasant. The average annual rainfall is 1504.7 mm |
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How to Get There |
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By Rail
Dimapur is the only city in Nagaland that is connected by both
rail and air. There are direct trains to Guwahati, Kolkata, New
Delhi, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Dibrugarhand Chennai
from Dimapur railway station.
By Road
The National Highway 39 that joins Kohima, Imphal and the
Myanmar border at Moreh runs through Dimapur. NH 36 starts from
Dimapur connnects Doboka and later Guwahati via NH 37.
By Air
Dimapur Airport is situated at 3rd mile (NH 39). It is the only
civil airport in the state and has flights to Kolkata and
Dibrugarh. Maintained by the Airports Authority of India, it is
a significant trade and commercial centre on National Highway
No. 39, and wears a rather cosmopolitan look |
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