Kohima War Cemetery
Kohima War Cemetery
4.5
About
KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY lies on the battle ground of Garrison Hill. No trace remains of the bungalow, which was destroyed in the fighting, but white concrete lines mark and preserve permanently the historic tennis court. The cemetery now contains 1,420 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. At the highest point in the cemetery stands the KOHIMA CREMATION MEMORIAL commemorating 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers whose remains were cremated in accordance with their faith.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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Nokia6300
1 contribution
This is one of the most important place of tourist attraction in nagaland that has become. An important history of the nagas where many of the allied soldiers were killed during the 2nd world war 1939-45. It was in the year 1945 during which the Japanese soldiers came to attack the Britishers in "Naga Hills." With the combined effort among the British and the Nagas defeated the Japanese soldiers wherin the reinforcement took place.
Written April 4, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clive F
Bristol, UK1,278 contributions
Mar 2016 • Solo
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission does a superb job commemorating those who died in service, broadly during the two World Wars. It is a privilege to visit any of its cemeteries, which I am lucky to have done in many countries, from Canada to the Caribbean, from the UK through Europe to Asia and Australia.
Until this month I rated the most moving as the Menin Gate at Ypres, and the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore; but I now think that Kohima has an even greater impact.
This is in part because the cemetery at Kohima occupies the key site at one of the key battles of WWII, when in parallel with the siege of Imphal a weak British battalion and a weak Indian battalion occupied a steadily reducing perimeter to hold Kohima against fanatical attacks until relieved. On the final day of the battle the perimeter was down to 500 yards X 350 yards, with the Japanese on one side of the Deputy Commissioner's tennis court and the British and Indian defenders on the other side.
In a stroke of genius the Commission has re-created the tennis court, in the right place, with the Cross of Remembrance occupying one corner of it. I am not aware of any other CWGC cemetery sited in such a position.
To read the ranks of those commemorated, their ages, their races and the personal tributes on so many gravestones (or actually bronze plaques throughout the sub-continent and Asia) is humbling in the extreme.
At Remembrance ceremonies in the UK it is usual to read the words taken from the 2nd Division memorial and referred to as the Kohima Prayer, or the Kohima epitaph, 'When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today'. I am so glad that after using those words for so many years, I have now seen the memorial itself.
Another very moving episode was reading the words on a wreath laid in the cemetery, shown in one of my photographs: do read these words.
Nagaland is a very long way away, even from the principal cities in India, and getting there requires careful planning. I managed to arrange my visit through Battle of Imphal tours (see my separate review).
Until this month I rated the most moving as the Menin Gate at Ypres, and the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore; but I now think that Kohima has an even greater impact.
This is in part because the cemetery at Kohima occupies the key site at one of the key battles of WWII, when in parallel with the siege of Imphal a weak British battalion and a weak Indian battalion occupied a steadily reducing perimeter to hold Kohima against fanatical attacks until relieved. On the final day of the battle the perimeter was down to 500 yards X 350 yards, with the Japanese on one side of the Deputy Commissioner's tennis court and the British and Indian defenders on the other side.
In a stroke of genius the Commission has re-created the tennis court, in the right place, with the Cross of Remembrance occupying one corner of it. I am not aware of any other CWGC cemetery sited in such a position.
To read the ranks of those commemorated, their ages, their races and the personal tributes on so many gravestones (or actually bronze plaques throughout the sub-continent and Asia) is humbling in the extreme.
At Remembrance ceremonies in the UK it is usual to read the words taken from the 2nd Division memorial and referred to as the Kohima Prayer, or the Kohima epitaph, 'When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today'. I am so glad that after using those words for so many years, I have now seen the memorial itself.
Another very moving episode was reading the words on a wreath laid in the cemetery, shown in one of my photographs: do read these words.
Nagaland is a very long way away, even from the principal cities in India, and getting there requires careful planning. I managed to arrange my visit through Battle of Imphal tours (see my separate review).
Written March 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NavySon
Los Angeles, CA17 contributions
Dec 2011 • Friends
The War Cemetery is surprisingly well-kept and shows the famed tennis court at the club house, across which Indian and British forces saw eye to eye with their Japanese attackers - brings history to life a little. Nice grounds, nice views all around.
Written March 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rohit K
San Francisco, CA2 contributions
Dec 2011 • Solo
Kohima was where Indian and British soldiers held off the Japanese advance into India, despite being hugely outnumbered. The cemetery is made on what was then Garrison Hill with a club house and a tennis court - across which the final battle was fought till reinforcements arrived. It is very well kept, is clean and also offers excellent views of Kohima.
Written December 15, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bethpindc
Washington DC, DC763 contributions
This is a cemetery honoring the Allied war dead at the site of one of the final battles between the allies and the Japanese and the end of the Japanese advance in British India. It is an attractive site and a somber experience to read the graves that include not only British soldiers, but soldiers from throughout British India. The epitaph carved on the memorial of the 2nd British Division in the cemetery has become world-famous as the Kohima Epitaph. It reads: “When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today". Be wary if you are purchasing a wreath to lay at the memorial from the memorial trading company. We paid Rs. 1,000 for what turned out to be a plastic wreath that is most likely reused.
Written December 4, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JaneBNorfolk_UK
Norfolk, UK57 contributions
Dec 2011 • Friends
A peaceful, well kept (as always with the CWGC) cemetery which forms a fitting memorial to all who died in the Siege and Battle of Kohima in 1944
Written December 20, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gsurya
Malmö, Sweden57 contributions
Dec 2011 • Family
Poignant visit to one of India's most important WW2 site where British fought off the Japanese invasion. This site is the historic 'Tennis Court' near the DC Bungalow where thousands died on both sides before the Japs retreated back to Burma.
Written December 8, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kazi_Ziauddin
Dhaka City, Bangladesh72 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Personally i don't feel like telling something about any war cemetery or martyrs monument because it is only related with graveyard and death mark of people who never fortuned with natural death. This is a well maintained war cemetary and a big one considering death number during second world war between Japan and allied nations ( British reign). Soldiers from different places and countries of Asia died along with British too. The soldiers came from different part as well as different religion. You will learn here some bloody tale of ruthless battle and brave story too. I was fortunate to have a local educated guide their who really was a good story teller.
Written April 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Satyendra Garg
National Capital Territory of Delhi, India6,946 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
This beautiful cemetery is a tribute to those who died from the side of the British forces, both European and Indians fighting the combined INA-Japanese forces at Kohima. This was the point where advance of Japanese-INA invasion was finally defeated and turned back and a fierce battle having casualties in thousands from both sides took place. This cemetery is maintained by Commonwealth War Graves Commission and commemorates the sacrifices of the British and Indian soldiers.
The beautiful terraced cemetery commemorates 1420 burials and 917 Hindu and Sikh cremations. One can see the memorable Tennis Court of old DC Bungalow where hand to hand fight took place and the place where Hindus and Sikhs were cremated.
The words "When you go Home tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, we gave our today", touches every visitor and moves one to appreciation of bravery of those who made ultimate sacrifice and in a way futility of war which takes away the brave youth in their prime.
A beautiful memorial which is a must visit when in Kohima.
The beautiful terraced cemetery commemorates 1420 burials and 917 Hindu and Sikh cremations. One can see the memorable Tennis Court of old DC Bungalow where hand to hand fight took place and the place where Hindus and Sikhs were cremated.
The words "When you go Home tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, we gave our today", touches every visitor and moves one to appreciation of bravery of those who made ultimate sacrifice and in a way futility of war which takes away the brave youth in their prime.
A beautiful memorial which is a must visit when in Kohima.
Written March 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jili.M
Dublin, Ireland82 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
A beautiful and well kept war cemetery. A must visit if your are in Kohima. From the cemetery you can get an amazing view of the Kohima city
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hai
I am planning a trip to Nagaland next week can anyone help me with must see attractions and hopefully best destinations around Kohima..
Written October 12, 2018
Preferably stay in a Guest House if you want to discuss local issues. Enjoy their in-house Library before you venture out.
Local English is better than South India. Must Read Newspapers here.
Kohima Sanctuary has "Graves which talk aloud if only you have time & passion to listen.Maintenance here shall surprise you. Must seek the reasons.
A popular village on the outskirts offers good peeping into the local livings...but must carry your local guide.....people here are very possessive if you are seen crossing the limits....otherwise they are very very disciplined & helpful.
A Cultural Premises developed here as an Annual Mela is unique even though it may be 100% deserted during non-mela days.
A Christian Temple at the other end of Kohima has been well built & exceptionally maintained.
Local food can be spicy beyond your imagination. Declare your preference in time.
At City Centre, enjoy the population on the road.....just be patient & passionate to observe locals going on with their daily routine.
Naga women are extremely confident & graceful. If you are well mannered & well intentioned, enjoy open heart smiles & talks.
Thanks for visiting Natal and....yes, even though I am a Punjabi.
Written October 12, 2018
Hi. We have planned a visit to my grandfather's grave in January 2018. Is there a plan of the Graves at the cemetery so we can locate where his resting place is?
Thank you
Janet
Written November 6, 2017
Hi Janet,
Yes, it is very easy to locate the grave of your grandfather as it is well planned and organised. As soon you reach there you can take help of the care taker or maintenance staff. Otherwise, you can look for enclosures which are categories like Indian soldier or English soldier, his regiment, etc. For your information, top level of war cemetery consist of ashes of Hindu soldiers and their names are inscribed on stone, second level have names of Muslim soldiers and followed by English soldiers . If you are visiting Kohima in wintertime please carry good set of warm clothes it’s pretty cold out there. Wish you happy traveling and stay at Kohima.
Written November 10, 2017
Hi - I want to visit my grandfathers grave. What's the best way to get to Kohima from Dimpaur, and hwats the aversage cost?
Written October 30, 2017
By car is only way. We had car for a week as part of package so not sure. If you wish contact George and he can give u more details.
Campsite Yedikha is where u can google or Facebook George and he can pick u up at airport.
Written October 31, 2017
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