Changtongya Stone Monoliths

Changtongya Stone Monoliths are a group of ancient standing stones located at Changtongya in Mokokchung District, Nagaland. Erected by the Ao Naga community, the monoliths commemorate feasts of merit, social achievements and historical events. The site features numerous weathered stones of varying heights arranged in an open area, representing an important megalithic tradition of Nagaland and a notable heritage attraction near Mokokchung town.

Visitors can expect an open-air site with clusters of upright stone monoliths of different sizes set in a grassy field on the outskirts of Changtongya town. The stones are weathered and moss-covered, standing in rows without modern structures. The surroundings are rural with views of hills and village landscape. Visitors can walk among the stones, observe carvings and inscriptions where present, and experience a quiet heritage setting with opportunities for photography and cultural observation.

The monoliths were erected by the Ao Naga tribe over generations to commemorate individuals who performed feasts of merit and to mark significant social and historical events. They represent the megalithic practice of erecting standing stones as memorials, reflecting the social structure and traditions of the Ao community in the Mokokchung region.

The site holds cultural importance for the Ao Naga community as a tangible record of ancestral customs, status and community memory. The monoliths are regarded as heritage markers and are part of the broader Naga tradition of stone monument erection that signifies honour, achievement and continuity of cultural identity.