Nagaland's 90-year-old man creates tourist attraction at wife's grave 10 years after her death; his personal tribute has become a place children love to visit

Every morning, 90-year-old Mosenyii Yakhro tends to the flowers and plants growing around his wife's grave in Kigwema village, Nagaland. He has spent the past decade developing the hillside burial spot into a garden in her memory. Today, the place, known as Mosen Viewpoint, attracts tourists and children from the village.

His wife, Vivolheri, was 80 when she died around 10 years ago. She had chosen the spot where she wanted to be buried even before her death. Since then, Yakhro has made caring for the garden around her grave part of his daily routine, according to an Associated Press (AP) report.

How a wife's chosen burial spot became a garden

For Yakhro, the garden is a way of continuing to honour his wife. He remembers Vivolheri as a "good woman and a good wife" and recalls how much their grandchildren loved her.


Over the years, the place has also started attracting people beyond the family. Tourists visit the hillside garden, while children from the village spend time there. The spot overlooks Nagaland's hills and terraced rice fields, offering visitors a view of the surrounding landscape.

Cosmos flowers are among the plants growing in the garden. A weathervane indicating directions to neighbouring villages is another feature of the viewpoint.

Despite the growing number of visitors, Yakhro remains closely involved in maintaining the space. He pays attention to the plants and has expressed concern about the cosmos flowers growing too tall and covering other varieties.

Talking about the visitors, he told AP, "I feel very happy. I enjoy knowing their happiness."

90-year-old's interest in books and World War II history

Yakhro's interests extend beyond gardening. Although he studied only until the sixth grade, he continued reading and learning throughout his life.

Decades ago, while working as a peon, or office assistant, in a government office, he spent considerable time in a library. He recalled that he would read whatever caught his interest.

"What I liked I read up in the library," he told AP.

At 90, he also remembers events from World War II, including the arrival of Japanese soldiers in his village. The conflict is referred to as the Japanese war in the region. He can recall details and dates from that period.

Family gathers at Mosen Viewpoint every year

The garden has also become a place where Yakhro's family comes together. Every year on January 15, family members gather at Mosen Viewpoint to celebrate his birthday.

When asked about his own final resting place, Yakhro smiled and said, "My burial place will also be here."

The hillside garden that began around Vivolheri's grave now serves as a gathering place for the family and a destination for visitors and village children. Yakhro continues to spend his mornings looking after the flowers and plants surrounding the spot his wife had chosen as her final resting place.