From blue rolling mountains to serene waterbodies from rarest of the rare flora and fauna that will never knew existed to waterfalls skilfully hiding from the world all these years be greeted by all new side of beauty abundance and unexplored nature welcome to Manipur 

Translate literally to ‘A Jewelled Land’ and more popularly known as the first place of Modern Polo Manipur is a tiny state and caused an unnaturally blessed corner of northeast India bordering Myanmar 

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Imphal City

Imphal is the capital city of Manipur as well as the administrative capital of the state a unique city where its heart lies the largest woman’s market and the oldest polo ground in the world  

Top Reasons You Must Visit Manipur

Nature

Unexploited nature at its best simple endemic species of flora and fauna including much framed dancing deer sangai and irresistibly charming Sirui Lily the only floating National Park in the world the cable lamjao National Park located in the serenely beautiful Loktak Lake did we mentioned the scenic beauty that seems to engulf the state from all four corners ?

Loktak Lake

The principal attraction of the state for any visitor the loktak lake is located in morang bishnupur district it is the largest fresh water lake in the northeast India you can catch an enhancing view of whole lake from the sindra hillock where you can treat yourself with some some to us food in the cafeteria on the top of hillock 

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Distance From Imphal : 48 Km
Travel Time by Car : About 1 Hour

Keibul Lamjao National Park

The only floating National Park in the world the Keibul Lamjao National Park located on the Loktak lake is the last natural habitat of Sangai ( Rucervus eldii eldii ) the dancing deer of Manipur.
A glimpse of deer in his unique wetland ecosystem is a must for any wildlife enthusiast 

Distance From Imphal : 43 Km
Travel Time by Car : About 50 Minutes

Dzukou Valley

Tucked away at the border of Manipur and Nagaland, Dzukou valley is the famous for its lush rolling hills and seasonal flowers and of course enchanting Dzukou Lily 
Distance From Imphal : 118 Km
Travel Time by Car : About 4 Hours
Trekking : About 4 Hours

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Shirui Hills

The eternally beautiful Ukhrul District is home to the rare and marvellous state flower of Manipur – Shirui Lily (Lilium macklinae). It is named after Jean Macklin, the wife of Dr. Frank Kingdon Ward who spotted the flower in 1946 while collecting botanical specimens. If you happen to make it to Ukhrul, don’t miss the opportunity to get amazed at the pre-historic limestone cave, which has evidences of habitations of Stone-Age communities.

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Distance from Imphal: 81 km
Travel time by car: About 3 hours

Chadong Water Body

Located at Phungyar Phaisat in Ukhrul District, the serene look of the Chadong water body is splendidly complemented by enchanting greenery all around. a boat ride all the way to the Maphou Dam and soak in the crisp fresh air while being surrounded by nature at its best.

Distance from Imphal: 21 km
Travel time by car: About 30 Minutes

HISTORY Of Manipur

One of the fiercest battles of the Second World War was fought in Manipur. Over 200,000 Japanese, Britons, Indians, Gurkhas and men from several other nations clashed in the hills and valley of Manipur. The Battle of Imphal has been, in fact, voted “Britain’s Greatest Battle” by the British National Army Museum. Thousands of Japanese soldiers laid their lives here for whom a memorial has been built at the Red Hills. Quite interestingly, India’s freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose led the Indian National Army to defeat the British and establish the first provisional independent government in Moirang, Manipur.

War Cemetery

Commemorating the memories of the British and Indian soldiers who died during the World War II, the War Cemetery in Imphal are managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Serene and well maintained, the War Cemetery carries little stone markers and bronze plaques recording the sacrifice of those gallant soldiers.

Red Hill (Lokpaching)

It was in this historic spot where the British and the Japanese soldiers fought a fierce battle during the World War II. War Veterans had constructed a “India Peace Memorial” a monument in memory of Japanese soldiers who died in the battle. It is a place of pilgrimage for Japanese tourists. A new war memorial, funded by Japan’s Nippon Foundation, replete with a museum and other tourist amenities is being opened to the public.

Distance from Imphal: 19 km
Travel time by car: About 30 Minutes

Khongjom War Memorial

It was at the historic place of Khongjom that Major General Paona Brajabashi, one of the great warriors of Manipur proved his valour against the superior might of the invading British Army in 1891. The hillock at the foot of which he laid down his life in defence of his motherland, is reminiscent of the past heroic deeds of Manipuri warriors. A war memorial has been constructed on the top of Kheba hill; and Khongjom Day is celebrated every year on 23 April.

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Distance from Imphal: 36 km
Travel time by car: About 45 Minutes

INA Memorial

INA Memorial at Moirang is another such place which has a historical significance in India’s Freedom Struggle. It was at Moirang that the flag of the Indian National Army was first unfurled on 14 April 1944. The INA Museum has a collection of letters, photographs, badges of ranks and other war memorabilia and reminds visitors of the noble sacrifices made by the INA soldiers under the charismatic leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

Distance from Imphal: 40 km
Travel time by car: About 1 hour

Kangla

Kangla is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in Manipur. It is located at the western bank of Imphal River at the heart of the capital city of Imphal. A visit to the Kangla at the heart of Imphal city unfolds the proud history of the erstwhile Asiatic Kingdom dating back to 33 A.D. It is the quintessential symbol of the state’s culture and heritage.

Marjing Polo Complex

The Marjing Polo Complex is strategically located near the abode of Ibudhou Marjing at Heingang, Imphal East. The complex serves as a centre of polo tourism in the State and also as an offering to the God of the Chenglei, Marjing, to whom the Kangjei (Polo-Stick) along with the ball (Kangdrum) are still offered during worship.

CULTURE Of Manipur

From the globally acclaimed Manipuri Dance to the skilful Thang Ta masters, from the exquisite handloom products to traditions passed on from generations, from the vibrant traditional attire of diverse tribal communities to some of the most exceptionally delicious food, Manipur is a heaven for culture vultures.

Raas Leela

The state is particularly famous for the Manipuri style of classical dance ‘Raas Leela’ depicting Lord Krishna as a child and the yearnings of the Gopis for communion with the Lord. It is a perfectly lyrical and extremely graceful dance form and reveals the sublime and transcendental love of Lord Krishna and Radha and the devotion of the Gopis to the Lord. It is generally performed in an enclosure in front of Shree Shree Govindajee temple throughout the night and watched with a deep sense of devotion. The performance is a combination of solo, duet and group dances. This stylised form of dance has sublimity, subtlety and grace. The richness of the costumes gives lustre to the beauty of the art.

Nat Sankirtan

The Manipuri Nat-Sankirtana, an art form conceived by the famous Manipur king Bhagyachandra Singh in the 18th century is recognised by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This ritual song performances accompanied by drumming and dancing encompasses an array of arts performed to mark religious occasions and various stages in the life of Manipuri Vaishnavites. It is practised at the centre of temples, where performers narrate the life of Lord Krishna through songs and dances. In a typical performance, two drummers and about ten singers perform the dance encircled by the devotees.

Shree Shree Govindaji Temple Shree Govindajee Temple is another historic centre of the Vaishnavites in Manipur. The Govindajee Temple is one of the more popular destinations for tourists. Twin domes, a paved courtyard, and a large raised congregation hall from perfect backdrop for priests who descend the steps, to accept offerings from devotees in the courtyard. Early hour prayer (Aarti) is a must for devoted followers, exuding spiritual fervour and ecstasy. Tourists are welcomed to come and join in the daily festivities.

Foods

The second wonderful thing to the rich diversity of Manipur is its diversity of food. With different communities living in different parts of this diverse land, Manipur serves a sumptuous platter of varied authentic cuisines, bringing you a whole new kind of taste. While there are tens of dozens of restaurants that are famous in their own rights, the most fascinating meal, perhaps, is the one at the Shree Shree Govindaji Temple with 108 varieties of dishes all laid out.

Ima Market

A unique all women’s market, with more than 3,000 “Ima” or mothers who run the stalls. The market spans across two sections on either side of the main market road. Vegetables, fruits, fishes and household groceries are sold on one side and exquisite handlooms and household tools on the other.

Sports

The birthplace of modern Polo and other indigenous games such as the Khong Kanjei, Mukna, Kang, Hiyang Tanaba, Thang-Ta and Sarit Sarat, and the very exhilarating game of Yubi Lakpi, Manipur is a land where sports has always been an indispensable part of its culture. It is no wonder the state is hailed as the country’s power-house of sports producing world-class sportspersons such as Mary Kom, Mirabai Chanu, Dingko Singh, Kunjarani Devi and so many others who have brought laurels for the nation in many international sporting events. One should not miss a visit to the Mapal Kangjeibung, arguably the oldest Polo ground in the world, in the heart of Imphal.

FESTIVALS Of Manipur

Inhabited by a diverse set of communities and people from multiple cultural background and belief system, you will never run out of festival through out the year when you are in Manipur. Some of the most common festival include Gang- Ngai, Lui-Ngai-Ni, Yaosang, Cheiraoba, Heikru Hitongba, Ningol Chak-kouba, Kut, Ramjan Eid, Chumpha and Christmas, just to name only a few. Manipur Tourism has developed a series of state festivals aimed at showcasing various unique aspects of culture, history and geography of the state.

Manipur Sangai Festival

Manipur Sangai Festival is celebrated every year from 21 to 30 November. The ‘Festival’ is named after the State animal, Sangai, the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur. It was initiated in 2010 and has grown over the years into a big platform for Manipur to showcase its rich tradition and culture to the world. The festival is labelled as the grandest festival of the State today and helps promote Manipur as a world-class tourism destination. Every edition of the festival showcases the tourism potential of the state in the fields of Arts & Culture, Handloom, Handicrafts, Indigenous Sports, Cuisine, Music and Adventure Sports of the state etc. The festival is held at multiple locations of the state including Loktak and Keibul Lamjao in Bishnupur District and also Mao District, while the majority of the events take place in various locations in Imphal.

Shirui Lily Festival

Named after the Shirui Lily, the state flower of Manipur, endemic to a hill of the same name, the Shirui Lily Festival is another festival designed to commemorate the significance of the state flower and, more importantly, to promote peace and harmony between different communities of the state. This ticket-free eco-tourism festival is held every year in Ukhrul District, with local traditional performances, events and exhibits. Shi Rock, the music festival section of the event, attracts international performers and over 30,000 visitors per day. The battle of bands is another highlight of this festival which sees dozens of bands from around the North East India vying for the coveted first prize.

HOW TO REACH MANIPUR

The beautiful city of Imphal, the capital of Manipur is connected by Air, Train and Bus from other places as follows:

By Air to Imphal

Imphal International Airport is located about 8 km from the heart of the city and is well connected directly from the major cities of India namely Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati and major cities of North Eastern states on a daily basis with the Domestic Air services such as Air India, Indigo, Air Asia and Jet Airways. Other major cities of India are connected to Imphal via Kolkata/Guwahati.

By Bus to Imphal

Many private bus services are available to and from Guwahati on a daily basis on the NH 27, NH 29 and NH 2 via Dimapur and Kohima. Transport services are also available from Silchar, Assam daily on the NH 37.

By Train to Imphal

There is no direct train service to Imphal. But travellers can travel up to Guwahati or Dimapur (nearest rail head from Imphal) and then cover the rest of the distance by bus or by air.

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