Emilo Khuvung
All mankind needs purification of the body, mind and the soul and perhaps to achieve the same, pilgrimage holidays has been designed. The secularism of India and the variety of religions followed by the people of the country are amazing and likewise Nagaland has also entered into the map of having pilgrimage place at Molungyimsen village under Mokokchung District.
The arrival of Christianity in the State in 1872 is a reminder of the enormous and centre on the gospel of peace and love for humanity.
Perhaps Pilgrimage tourism in India is extremely popular because of the country being pious, dotted with pilgrimages and encompasses human religious behavior which is practiced by all cultures.
It is simply amazing to note the effort of the first American Missionary, Rev. Dr. E.W. Clark who landed in Naga Hill to sow the seed of the kingdom of God, during the Headhunter’s paradise in 1872, and today his sacrifice has turned Nagaland State into a complete Christian State.
Molungyimsen village which has now entitled as American Baptist Foreign Mission Centre of the Naga Hills has organized the a Pilgrim walk on 9 February starting from Dr. Clark’s bridge till the village, a stretch of 14 Kms and considering the interest to promote tourism activity in the region the tourism department has actively participated in the pilgrimage headed by the parliamentary secretary, Tourism, law & Justice, Yitachu, executive secretary ABAM, Pochury Christian Forum and Moungyimsen Villagers, which is indeed a moving experience of ones’ Faith and Devotion.
Thanks to the tourism department, on whose invitation I was a part of the pilgrimage, though it was an inspiring awe battling for the 14 Kms walk. The hundreds of men folks and few women, wearing T-Shirts printed Rev. Dr. Clark and his lady wife’s picture and a crucifixion cross, typically conveyed the journey as a shrine or the importance of a person's beliefs and as one among the hundred folks participants, I believe every participants of the pilgrimage must have attained a new height of faith after the pilgrimage tour, as the fact remained that I returned home with an enlightenment which I have searched throughout my life.
Unlike the other hundreds of participants who completed the journey with no sweat seen over their face, I completed the mission in more than after 6 hours (though I am the first person to take the lead), yet the benevolent attitude of the sweet and kind Samaritans, the villagers were more than what I have expected, therefore I would be too harsh if I talk about my weariness here.
I believe the participants must have had the most precious and quite time as they moved on, speaking to God through prayer in every stoppage, or have questions answered or to achieve other spiritual benefit as their enthusiasm never wane from the beginning until the village.
The activities that took place on reaching Molungyimsen village is all an activity of reminiscence of what Dr. Clark has done until the next morning at Molungyimti village.
