SHORT, CHERISHED TRIP TO UNGMA VILLAGE, NAGALAND

Naga Traditional Morung!!

HOW TO REACH UNGMA VILLAGE?

Reaching UNGMA village means journey to Mokokchung which is another delight to eye as your drive through or being driven amidst pastoral green fields, clear blue skies and breathe countryside fresh air. Let me break down the journey so that it is easy for you to figure out the route. Let me start from Guwahati.

Beautiful town of Mokokchung!!

Guwahati to Mokokchung – There is direct bus service from Guwahati to Mokokchung available with two Bus service Provides – Network Travels (9864028357) and Blue Hills (9435547679). The counters for the respective service provides is at Paltan Bazar near Guwahati railway Station. The buses usually ply in the evening and is an overnight journey costing around Rs 400 per seat.
Guwahati to Mokokchung via Jorhat – There are ample number of buses that ply to Jorhat from Guwahati but it will slightly tiresome. After reaching Jorhat you need to get hopping in a tempo traveller to Mariani covering an hour journey from where you get shared Tata Sumo to Mokokchung but till 2pm.

From Dimapur – There are many trains available from Guwahati to Dimapur. The Shared Tata Sumos ply early morning at 6.30am from Sumo Stand in Dimapur to Mokokchung. It is important to get your seat booked a day in advance as it is difficult to get a ticket on the day of journey. The price is Rs 450/- per person.

On reaching Mokokchung, Ungma Village is roughly only 10 kms from main City centre and you can hire a cab for you Ungma Village visit. The cab would roughly take Rs 500-600 that includes to and fro along with waiting time.

ACCOMMODATION

On road trip from Mokokchung to Ungma!!

There are many guest houses and home-stays in Mokokchung but it is recommended that you research about the same in advance. The hotels are a bit expensive if you are a budget traveller. I had no problem with accommodation as my father is based in Mokokchung out of his professional front.

VISITING UNGMA VILLAGE

Enchanting spectacle of nature on the way to Ungma Village!!

Ungma Village is the second largest village in Nagaland and is the place to know everything about Ao Tribe of Nagaland. 🙂 🙂 There is not much to see in the village although the tidy, neat and quaint houses adjacent the narrow lanes of the village is quite a beauty. Hopping off my car and adjusting to the nip in the air, I tip toed around the place looking for answers to my thriving questions.

Inside Ungma Church!!

I was privileged enough to met the Pastor of Ungma Baptist Church who was kind enough to spare some time to take me on a tour of the church. The Church is beautifully designed and is a marvellous architect that celebrated its centennial just two years back. Standing in front of a 102 years old church was a moment of glory and pride in itself.

Three statues dedicated to Ao Tribe

Emergence and origination of Ao Tribe was depicted with three statues of – Pusu, Longkumer and Jamir. There is a story behind the statues and is believed that three of the Ao sub-tribe started the dominance of the Tribe in the village.

Famous Log Drum!!

The log drum was an essential in almost all the villages of Nagaland before to alert the people of any emergency situation. People of the village beat the log drum to create sound and that why stirred an alert amongst villagers.

Stories & History – Ungma Village is whole deal of fascination

It was a short and small trip to the village but the beautiful souls that resided there left me mesmerised and wanting to visit the place again. There was not a single person who didn’t share amicable smile, such was the warmth of people. Be it the stories of Ao Tribe and its existence or the story of the establishment of the Baptist Church, it was all beautifully elaborated. There was an aura so cherubic that the conversations are still fresh in my mind. The view was so outlandishly beautiful, so much green to treat my hungry eyes. 🙂 🙂