Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima, Roman Catholic cathedral on a hilltop in Kohima, India.
Mary Help of Christians Cathedral sits on a hilltop in Kohima and blends religious architecture with local building styles. Inside stands a 16-foot wooden crucifix, while the exterior incorporates design elements from traditional Naga houses.
Construction began in 1986 and finished in 1991, funded partly by Japanese donors who built it as a memorial to soldiers from World War II. This created a place where local Christian tradition merged with the region's war history.
The cathedral brings together people of different faiths and backgrounds, particularly Japanese and British war veterans who gather here for interfaith events. These meetings reflect how the place has become a space for peaceful dialogue across cultural lines.
The building sits on a hilltop, so visitors should expect an uphill walk to reach it. It can hold large numbers of people and serves as a central meeting point for the local Catholic community.
The entrance displays inscriptions honoring people who sacrificed their lives for Nagaland, alongside memorial messages for fallen soldiers from different nations. These dedications make it a quiet space for remembering losses from war.
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