Location :
Northeastern Region Of India
Capital :
Imphal
Tourist
Attractions : Manipuri
Dance, Tribes, Imphal, Phubala,
Phumdi, Loktak Lake
Best Time
To Visit : October To May |
Tourism in
Manipur
Dancing With Nature
The tiny landlocked state in the northeast
dates back to the days of the epic
Mahabharata and has been a valley of
enchantment for centuries. Today it has all
the promises of becoming a great tourist
attraction. An oval-shaped valley nestling
among the verdant hills, it is home to
diverse and colourful tribes whose
repository of folklore and culture, myths
and legends, dances and martial arts is a
source of unending wonders.
The graceful Manipuri dance with its lilting
songs are considered to be one of India's
best classical dance forms; the energetic
folk dances where men with their Dholaks,
cymbals and other musical instruments
exhibit their physical prowess are now one
of the mainstays of any cultural programme.
And most people consider Manipur to be the
place from where the game of polo
originated.
Sadly, despite their wealth of natural and
historical attractions, the northeastern
states- also known as the 'seven sisters' -
have largely remained off the tourist
circuit partly because everybody feels these
are very disturbed areas. So the traveller
has to limit himself to the major
attractions in and around the capital
cities.
Phubala Resort
Those who want to spend some time in the lap
of nature can hole up at the resort at
Phubala, on the western fringe of the Loktak
Lake. Linked to the mainland by a causeway,
the resort is run by the tourism department
and has boating facilities.
Places Of Interest
In Imphal
From the airport, we drive into Imphal town
by car. The people in Manipur are mostly
Vaishnavites and wear the traditional
Chandan Tika (sandalwood mark on forehead);
the women have a colourful cotton wrap
thrown round their shoulders.
Ima Market
The town itself is a picturesque place with
a profusion of green all around. A network
of narrow, shoplined streets marks the
centre of the town. It is here that one will
come across the only market in the country
wholly owned and run by women. Called the 'Ima
Market' or Mothers' Market, it is a very
interesting place to have a look around.
Also do not forget to buy the colourful
cotton wraps used by the women.
Bir Tikendrajit Park
One of the major attractions of Imphal is
the Bir Tikendrajit Park with its
commemorative monument honouring the Maitai
and other tribal warriors who sacrificed
their lives fighting the British in 1891.
Nearby is the war cemetery where soldiers of
the allied army fighting in the Second World
War lie buried. The commonwealth war graves
commission looks after the place.
The Polo Ground is also a picture of green
and holds various events. The state museum
showcases aspects of the local lifestyle and
handicrafts.
Adjoining the near crumbling royal palace is
the much-revered Govindajee Temple. The high
point of Manipuri culture, this temple with
its twin gold plated domes, holds Manipuri
dance programmes in the evening. It is
believed that the dance form originated
here.
Flora & Fauna
Manipur is also proud of its floral and
faunal beauty. Located on NH 39 and 12-km
from Imphal is the Central Orchidarium.
Sprawling over 200 acres of land, it
contains 120 rare varieties of orchids. The
place wears a very colourful look in
April-May when most of them bloom.
On the way to Kangchup, to the west of
Imphal, is the Zoological Garden, 6-km from
the town. Located at the foot of the
Iroisemba Hill. It is a picturesque place
and contains many rare species of local
fauna. It is here that one can take a look
at the rare Sangai or the brow antlered
Deer.
In the wild this special kind of Deer is now
only limited to the 40-square-kilometre
Keibul Lamjao National Park, in a corner of
the Loktak Lake, 48-km from Imphal. This
unique wetland ecosystem supports 17 species
of rare mammals. It is here that you will
find the floating islands called "Phumdi".
Made of a tangle of watery weeds and other
plants, they are strong enough to support
the weight of man and animal. Earlier. These
were the few places in the open where one
could see the brow antlered Deer.
Lakes
Between November and March, the Loktak Lake
is also visited by a large number of
migratory birds. The forest department has
built a watchtower and two rest houses here.
Those who want to spend some time in the lap
of nature, can hole up at the resort at
Phubala, on the western fringe of the Loktak
Lake. Linked to the mainland by a causeway,
the resort is run by the tourism department
and has boating facilities.
Sendra Island
Resort
Another picturesque resort run by the
tourism department is the Sendra Island
resort in a corner of the lake. It has a
tourist lodge and an adjoining cafeteria.
However, it is better to check with the
local tourist office at Imphal before
proceeding to these areas, and a local guide
is a must for visiting outside a package
tour.
Moirang
On the way to Loktak Lake and just 3-km
ahead is Moirang - the centre of Maitai
culture and an erstwhile princely state.
Woven into the history of Moirang is the
brief but glorious chapter of India's flight
for independence.
It was at the Moirang Kangla Palace that the
advancing forces of Netaji Subhash Chandra
Bose's Azad Hind Fauz raised the Indian
soil. A small museum now holds the
memorabilia of that historic event.
The People & Their
Livelihood
The characteristics of the Manipuri people
vary according to geographical divisions.
The Meitees who speak Manipuri, inhabit the
plains; the Kukis and Nagas of the hills,
speak Tibeto - Burmese dialects. Early
Manipuris were followers of Hinduism. The
advent of Christianity resulted in the
conversion of the people residing in the
hills, while the majority of men from the
plains continue to be Hindus. Agriculture,
the single largest source of livelihood, for
a majority of the rural masses, is also the
mainstay of the state economy.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Imphal is connected by regular domestic
flights link with Delhi via Guwahati.
Additional flights link Imphal with Dimapur
(In Nagaland). Dimapur, 215-km, away is also
the nearest railhead. NH 39 links Imphal
with Guwahati and NH 53 links it with
Silchar , both in neighbouring Assam . But
for the tourist, it is best to fly in.
Domestic tourists do not need any permit but
if one is travelling or transiting through
Nagaland, an inner line permit is necessary.
Subdivisional officer, Dimapur will issue
permits for in bound travellers while deputy
commissioner, Imphal, will issue the same
for out bound travellers. Valid identity
cards with a picture are necessary for
obtaining permits. There are both private
hotels and government run tourist lodges in
Manipur. For more details, contact: Tourist
Officer, Directorate of tourism, Imphal,
Manipur.
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India
Travel Guide / States / Manipur Travel Guide
