Kachari Ruins : Enigmatic Monoliths of Nagaland
Hello all,
As we are seeing more and more mangoes in the Mango orchard, as mangoes are turning from dark green to bright orange and yellow, as the aroma of fresh mango pickles engulfs our kitchens, and as the bougainvillaea in the front of the home are blooming to their full potential with spellbinding pink, orange and white hues, as kids are making plans for the upcoming May vacation, my mind is drifting back down memory lane… memories of the May of 2022…The year when we visited this stupefyingly beautiful and amazing state of Northeast India- Nagaland.
There is one serene archaeological site in Dimapur, which is the only city in the state that has an airport. So the chances of you visiting this city are very high. Nagaland, the state itself, has been an off-beat destination up until now, with not much on the radar of regular tourists. And within Nagaland, this place is off-beat, so there are many, many chances that you might not consider visiting this place if you make plans for this stunning state. But please include it because it is one of the witnesses of Nagaland’s rich and diverse heritage and culture and allows us to glimpse into the past of this state and tell us the tales of the bygone eras.
History:
There are many stories associated with the ruins, of which some are based on historical facts, while some are based on folktales. Some say that the Kachari Ruins were built by a powerful king named Dimapur, the son of a Naga princess and a Chinese prince. He built the pillars in memories of his ancestors.
According to a few Kachari kingdom was vast and one of the major kingdoms from the 10th to 13th century, expanding into modern-day Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, and Manipur. The kingdom was rich in culture and tradition with a well-civilized society; Dimapur was one of the most important parts of the kingdom as it was located near the Dhansiri River. Kachari Ruins are thus not only pillars but reflectors of this dominant civilization. After the Ahom invasion in the 13th century, the kingdom disintegrated, and some of the structures were ruined.
Some believe that these pillars were erected in homage to the Hindu God Shiva. Some speculate that they are part of a strategic game like chess.
Architecture of Kachari Ruins:
These are giant, carved monoliths or megaliths made up of sandstone, ranging in height from 8 to 15 feet, exhibiting the architectural prowess of the people of that era. The biggest and tallest monolith found here is about 15 feet in height. The upper part is in the shape of a mushroom with carvings of lotus, peacock, and horse in the lower parts with few geometric patterns. Some of them even have human figures and faces, so it is believed that they might be memorial stones for the royal family or nobles of the court. The shape of the pillars is mostly round, with a few square. The pillars are set in three parallel rows. There is fencing with metal grills surrounding the monoliths, so you can not go near them and touch them, and believe us, this is the best way to prevent further damage to the megaliths, which are already in a ramshackle state. Some are fallen on the ground in a crumbling state while some are standing tall and proud. At present, the ruins are surrounded by lush green grass and tall, beautiful trees.
Accessibility:
The Kachari Ruins are located in Dimapur, it is the main commercial hub of Nagaland as it is well-connected by road, rail, and air to other parts of India.
They are situated in the center of the city, near the Dimapur railway station. However, there is no signboard at the entrance.
Timing:
Monday to Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Why are these ruins special?:
The purpose of the monoliths is as enigmatic as their size. Despite all studies, the origin behind the monolith is still a mystery, and that is the reason it drew the attention of historians as well as archaeologists.
Another reason is the architectural beauty of the stones and pillars, with amazing carvings on the gigantic pillars.
The ruins are also culturally significant as they are one of the few monuments which tell us about the history of the region.
So, don’t forget to visit this beautiful place if you are in this beautiful state….
Its good that you are interested in such a lost mysterious sites and visiting it .Your description about it is excellent which gives inspiration to visit.
Thank you so much aunty…