Manipur

Introduction to Manipur

The green state of Manipur, and Imphal its capital, has all the fine, merged, tints of a water colour. Manipur described as a Jewel of India lies south of Nagaland & North of Mizoram. It shares the international boundary with myanmar on the western & Southern side.

Legand has it that the discovery of Manipur was the result of delight that the gods took in dancing. Still practiced today, is a classical dance form marked by graceful & Restained movements and delicate hand gestures known as Manipur Manipur is a mosic of tradition and cultural patterns, best represented by its dance forms. The Lai-haraoba a traditional stylised dance is a ritual dance for appeasing gods and goddess. The Lai-haraoba festival is generally celebrated between April and May.

The raas songs and dances express the Leelas (sports) of Lord Krishna as a child with Gopis of Brindvan and depict their yearning for communion with the lord. The tribal dances of Manipur are the expression of love, creative and astheticism of the tribal people of the state. Manipuris were earlier recognised as skillfull warriors and still practice the arts of wrestling sword fighting and martial arts. Songol kangjej (manipur Polo) is the principal sport of the state, for polo is belived to have originated here.

Tourist Attraction:

Imphal: The bustling capital city of the state lies in a heart shaped valley 790 m above sea level. This is a melting pot of various tribes that constitute the populace of Manipur. Tourist attractions in Manipur are mostly located in around the city.

Govindajee Temple: This is a Vaishnavite temple built by the former King's of Manipur. The simple but beautiful structure consists of 2 domes and a large congregation hall. The shrines of Krishna and Balaram on one side and Jagannnath flank the presiding deity.

War Cemetery: Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains the graveyard. Little stone markers with bronze plaques on them commemorate the dead British and Indian soldiers of World War II.

Khonghampat Orchidarium: The sprawling land of 200 acres boasts of over 110 rare varieties of orchids including a dozen endemic species.

Zoological Gardens: It houses Sangai (the graceful brow antlered deer) at the base of pine-clad hillocks.

Langthabal: This is a small hill featuring relics of a historic palace and architecturally beautiful temples.

Bishnupur: The place has a Vishnu temple with peculiar Chinese influence. Beside that, the Loktak Lake, the largest fresh water lake of the northeastern India and Red hill where a fierce battle between the British and the Japanese took place during the World War II.

But the exotic lifestyle of the colorful tribes is no less attractive. Their fairs and festivals, songs and dances also form the tourist attractions in Manipur.

Manipuri Dance: This divine dance form of Manipur has spread its fame far and wide. It is also a very important one among Indian classical dance forms depicting the sublime love between lord Krishna and his consorts Radha and the Gopi's (milkmaids).

How to Reach Manipur

By Air: Connected with Delhi via Guwahati and with Calcutta via Agartala and Silchar.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is Dimapur-215 km.

By Road: Agartala- 465 kms, Aizwal- 374 kms, Dimapur- 216 kms, Guwahati- 579 kms, Itanagar- 413 kms, Kaziranga- 346 kms, Kohima- 123 kms, Shillong- 643.

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