The Kohima War Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial in the centre of Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, laid out on the terraced slopes of Garrison Hill. It stands on the exact ground where the 1944 Battle of Kohima was fought, including the former Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow and its tennis court. This guide covers what you will see, the battle it marks, the Inner Line Permit, how to reach it, and how to visit with respect.
Kohima War Cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission site on Garrison Hill in Kohima, Nagaland, where the 1944 Battle of Kohima was fought. It holds 1,420 Second World War graves and carries the Kohima Epitaph. Entry is free, and it opens roughly 9 am to 4 pm.
Key takeaways
- Kohima War Cemetery sits on Garrison Hill in central Kohima, Nagaland, and holds 1,420 Commonwealth Second World War burials plus one non-war grave, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Incredible India.
- At its highest point, the Cremation Memorial commemorates 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers who were cremated according to their faith, so they are not among the headstone graves.
- Entry is free, and the official Incredible India listing gives opening hours of 9 am to 4 pm (treat as indicative and reconfirm; as of October 2026).
- Every non-resident needs an Inner Line Permit for Nagaland; the state portal lists a domestic-tourist ILP at ₹200 for 30 days (as of October 2026).
- The nearest airport and railhead are both at Dimapur, about 74 km by road, roughly a 2.5–3 hour drive to Kohima.
- The best months are October to March; the Hornbill Festival runs 1–10 December at nearby Kisama.
About Kohima War Cemetery
Kohima War Cemetery is a Commonwealth war cemetery on Garrison Hill in Kohima, Nagaland, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). The CWGC and the official Incredible India listing record 1,420 Commonwealth burials from the Second World War, along with one non-war grave.
The cemetery was designed by the architect Colin St Clair Oakes and is cut into the hillside as a series of terraces, so the headstones step down the slope in long ranks. According to figures held by the CWGC, the burials include servicemen from the United Kingdom, India, Canada and Australia.
At the highest point of the site is the Kohima Cremation Memorial, which, per Incredible India and the CWGC record, commemorates 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers who were cremated in keeping with their faith and therefore have no individual grave here. The cemetery sits in the heart of the modern town, close to the junction of the roads toward Dimapur and Imphal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Garrison Hill, central Kohima, Nagaland |
| Maintained by | Commonwealth War Graves Commission |
| Burials | 1,420 Commonwealth WWII graves + 1 non-war grave (CWGC / Incredible India) |
| Cremation Memorial | 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers commemorated |
| Designed by | Colin St Clair Oakes |
| Entry | Free (indicative; reconfirm) |
| Timings | 9 am to 4 pm, per Incredible India (indicative; reconfirm) |
| Permit | Inner Line Permit required for Nagaland |
The Battle of Kohima, 1944
The Battle of Kohima was fought from 4 April to 22 June 1944, when Allied forces halted a Japanese advance into India during the Second World War. A Ministry of Defence commemorative account divides it into two phases: a siege that lasted about 13 days, and the later clearance of the Japanese 31st Division from the area, followed by the reopening of the Kohima–Imphal road.
The hardest early fighting centred on Garrison Hill and the grounds of the Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow, where the two sides fought across a tennis court at very close range. The bungalow was destroyed in the fighting. Military historians widely describe Kohima, together with Imphal, as a turning point of the campaign in the East, because it blunted the Japanese U-Go offensive and began their retreat.
The dead of that battle, Allied and Japanese alike, were young men far from home. The cemetery and its memorials ask visitors to treat the ground soberly rather than as a sightseeing stop. The figures and dates above are drawn from Commonwealth and Ministry of Defence records; specific unit and casualty numbers vary between sources, so this guide keeps to the officially published framing.
The Kohima Epitaph
The Kohima Epitaph is the short verse carved on the 2nd Division memorial at the cemetery. Its wording, as recorded by Incredible India and the Imperial War Museum, is: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”
The lines are attributed to the English classicist John Maxwell Edmonds (1875–1958). They were not written for Kohima; according to the Imperial War Museum, Edmonds composed the verse around the end of the First World War, and it was later chosen for this memorial. It is often linked to the ancient epitaph by Simonides for the Spartans who fell at Thermopylae, though that connection is described as uncertain.
The epitaph is quoted here once, in full, because it belongs to the memorial itself. Visitors usually read it at the 2nd Division stone near the lower end of the cemetery.
The memorials and the tennis-court line
The cemetery’s main monuments are two tall memorials marked with crosses, the Cremation Memorial, and the preserved outline of the tennis court. The lower memorial is the 2nd Division memorial, a stone roughly 15 feet (about 4.6 m) tall that carries the Kohima Epitaph on a bronze plate; it was originally raised on a spur at Maram and moved to the cemetery with the help of Naga people.
The upper memorial commemorates Indian soldiers and, like the lower one, is topped by a cross. The Cremation Memorial, at the highest point of the site, remembers the 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers cremated according to their faith. Near the centre of the slope, white concrete lines mark the outline of the Deputy Commissioner’s tennis court, the focus of some of the closest fighting of 1944.
| Feature | What it marks |
|---|---|
| 2nd Division memorial (lower) | Tall cross-topped stone carrying the Kohima Epitaph |
| Upper memorial | Cross-topped memorial commemorating Indian soldiers |
| Cremation Memorial | 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers cremated by their faith |
| Tennis-court line | White concrete lines marking the 1944 battle ground |
| Headstone terraces | 1,420 Commonwealth graves stepped down the hillside |
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the cemetery is October to March, when the hill weather is dry and cool and the terraces are easiest to walk. Nagaland’s monsoon runs roughly June to September and can bring heavy rain and slippery slopes, so the shoulder of October and the cool season are more comfortable.
December adds the Hornbill Festival, held at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama near Kohima; multiple reports give the 2026 dates as 1–10 December (reconfirm with Nagaland Tourism). The festival fills Kohima’s hotels, so book early if you plan to combine it with the cemetery.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cool, dry (best) | October–March | Clear, cool hill days; comfortable walking; Hornbill in December |
| Pre-monsoon | April–May | Warmer, occasional showers; greener hills |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy rain, slippery terraces, possible road delays |
Entry, timings and visitor etiquette
Entry to the cemetery is free, and the official Incredible India listing gives opening hours of 9 am to 4 pm; other visitor guides list seasonal timings of roughly 8 am to 4 pm in summer and 8 am to 3 pm in winter. Treat these as indicative and reconfirm locally, since timings for war graves can change (as of October 2026).
This is a cemetery and a memorial, not a park. The CWGC asks visitors to behave with the quiet respect owed to a burial ground: dress modestly, keep your voice low, do not sit, climb or picnic on the headstones or memorials, and do not remove anything. Photography is generally allowed for personal remembrance, but be discreet and avoid posing on the graves.
Give yourself about 45 minutes to an hour to walk the terraces, read the epitaph and reach the Cremation Memorial at the top. The slope is steep in places, so wear sturdy shoes.
Inner Line Permit for Nagaland
Yes, you need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter Nagaland, and that includes visiting Kohima War Cemetery. Under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, anyone from outside the state must obtain an ILP for a limited stay; the rules are set out in the Nagaland Home Department’s consolidated ILP guidelines notified on 14 August 2025.
Indian citizens apply on the official state portal, ilp.nagaland.gov.in, which lists a domestic-tourist permit at ₹200 for 30 days and a foreign-tourist category at ₹500 for 30 days, plus payment-gateway charges (as of October 2026). Foreign nationals should also check current registration requirements, as rules for restricted areas change. Apply before you travel and carry both a digital and printed copy of your permit.
| Category | Fee | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic tourist | ₹200 (fresh permit) | 30 days |
| Foreign tourist | ₹500 (fresh permit) | 30 days |
How to reach Kohima War Cemetery
Reach the cemetery via Dimapur, which has Nagaland’s only airport and its main railway station, then drive about 74 km uphill to Kohima. The cemetery is in the centre of town, so once you are in Kohima it is a short local taxi or walk from most hotels.
- By air: Dimapur Airport (DMU) is the state’s only commercial airport, with flights operated by carriers such as IndiGo, Air India Express and Alliance Air to hubs including Kolkata, Guwahati and Delhi (routes change seasonally; confirm when booking, as of October 2026).
- By rail: Dimapur is the nearest major railhead, connected to Guwahati and onward to the rest of the network. Check live train names and numbers on IRCTC/NTES close to travel.
- By road: Shared and private taxis run from Dimapur to Kohima, taking roughly 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic and road conditions on the hill highway.
For planning the wider trip around this leg, see our Nagaland travel guide.
| From | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Dimapur Airport / railway | about 74 km | 2.5–3 hours by road |
| Kisama (Hornbill venue) | about 12 km | 30–45 minutes |
| Khonoma village | about 20 km | roughly 1 hour |
Distances are rounded planning estimates; sources vary (the Dimapur figure is quoted between about 66 km and 76 km), so confirm with your driver.
Where to stay in Kohima
Stay in Kohima town itself, which keeps you within a short drive of the cemetery and the main sights. The town has a spread of guesthouses, mid-range hotels and homestays, and demand spikes sharply during the December Hornbill Festival, so book well ahead for that window.
The bands below are indicative planning estimates for a double room and should be reconfirmed at the time of booking (as of October 2026); Hornbill-season rates can be far higher.
| Type | Indicative price/night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / homestay | ₹1,200–₹2,500 | Family-run homestays, simple guesthouses; good for meeting local hosts |
| Mid-range | ₹2,500–₹5,000 | Hotels with heating and restaurants in central Kohima |
| Higher-end | ₹5,000+ | Larger hotels and premium homestays; limited supply |
Homestays are a strong option in and around Kohima and give a closer sense of Naga food and hospitality. Some of the best-known community homestays are in Khonoma; our Khonoma guide covers those.
Budget breakdown
A two-day Kohima visit centred on the war cemetery costs roughly ₹5,500–₹10,000 per person, excluding long-distance travel to Dimapur. The site itself is free, so most of the budget goes on your room, local transport and meals. The table is a planning estimate, not a quote (as of October 2026).
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Inner Line Permit | ₹200 | Domestic tourist, 30-day permit |
| Stay (1 night) | ₹1,200–₹5,000 | Budget homestay to mid-range hotel |
| Meals | ₹600–₹1,200 | Local eateries, 2 days |
| Local transport | ₹800–₹2,000 | Shared/private taxis within and around Kohima |
| Cemetery entry | Free | No ticket charged |
| Nearby sights / buffer | ₹500–₹1,500 | Museum, short trips, incidentals |
Nearby places
Several worthwhile stops sit within an hour or so of the cemetery, so you can build a two or three day loop around Kohima. The table pairs each with an approximate distance and a one-line reason to go.
| Place | Distance from Kohima | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Kohima State Museum | within Kohima | Naga tribal artefacts, costumes and history under one roof |
| Khonoma village | about 20 km | Terraced-farming Angami village known for community conservation |
| Dzukou Valley | trailheads near Kohima | High valley trek, famous for seasonal wildflowers (summer) |
| Kisama Heritage Village | about 12 km | Venue of the Hornbill Festival each December |
For planning routes and permits around these, our Nagaland travel guide and Khonoma guide go into more detail.
Practical tips
Carry cash and your ILP, and treat the cemetery as a place of remembrance first. A few practical notes make the visit smoother.
- Connectivity: Mobile network and 4G are generally usable in Kohima town but patchy on hill roads and treks; download maps before you set out.
- Cash and UPI: ATMs and UPI work in Kohima, but carry some cash for homestays, shared taxis and smaller villages where digital payment can fail.
- Health: Kohima has district hospitals and pharmacies; carry any personal medicines, as choice is limited outside town.
- Respect: Ask before photographing people, and keep conduct quiet and modest at the cemetery and in villages.
- Solo and women travellers: Kohima is generally considered calm; standard precautions apply, and homestays are a comfortable base.
- Packing: Layers and a warm jacket for October–March evenings, a rain shell in the monsoon, and sturdy shoes for the steep terraces.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kohima War Cemetery?
Kohima War Cemetery is on Garrison Hill in the centre of Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, in north-east India. It stands on the site of the 1944 Battle of Kohima, including the former Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow and tennis court, and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
How many soldiers are buried at Kohima War Cemetery?
The cemetery holds 1,420 Commonwealth Second World War burials plus one non-war grave, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Incredible India. Separately, the Cremation Memorial at the top of the site commemorates 917 Hindu and Sikh soldiers who were cremated according to their faith.
Is there an entry fee for Kohima War Cemetery?
No, entry to the cemetery is free. The official Incredible India listing gives opening hours of 9 am to 4 pm, while some visitor guides list seasonal timings of about 8 am to 4 pm in summer and 8 am to 3 pm in winter. Treat timings as indicative and reconfirm locally (as of October 2026).
Do I need a permit to visit Kohima?
Yes. Every non-resident needs an Inner Line Permit to enter Nagaland, including Kohima. Indian tourists can apply on the official portal ilp.nagaland.gov.in, which lists a ₹200 fee for a 30-day permit; foreign tourists are listed at ₹500 for 30 days (as of October 2026). Apply before you travel.
What is the Kohima Epitaph?
The Kohima Epitaph is the short verse carved on the 2nd Division memorial at the cemetery, its closing line speaking of giving “our today” for “your tomorrow”. It is attributed to the classicist John Maxwell Edmonds and, according to the Imperial War Museum, was composed around the end of the First World War rather than for Kohima.
How do I reach Kohima War Cemetery from Dimapur?
From Dimapur, which has Nagaland’s only airport and main railway station, drive about 74 km uphill to Kohima, a journey of roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by taxi. The cemetery is in central Kohima, so it is a short local hop from most hotels once you arrive.
Last updated and sources
This guide suits travellers interested in Second World War history and anyone building a Nagaland itinerary; visit between October and March, and reserve time to read the epitaph and reach the Cremation Memorial. Treat the site with the quiet respect owed to a war grave.
Last updated: 22 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, cemetery record for Kohima; Incredible India, Kohima cemetery listing; Government of Nagaland Inner Line Permit portal (about and fees pages); Ministry of Defence / Kohima Today commemorative account of the Battle of Kohima, 4 April–22 June 1944; Imperial War Museum, on the Kohima Epitaph and John Maxwell Edmonds; Nagaland Tourism and press reports on the Hornbill Festival (1–10 December 2026); Airports Authority of India / airline schedules for Dimapur Airport connectivity. Accessed October 2026.
