Manipur

      Manipur, a little Shangarila located in North-East India, is a Jewel of India. The word Manipur literally means a 'jeweled town', a name that rightly justifies the small and picturesque land. This little corner is a paradise on Earth where Mother Nature has been extra generous in her bounty. Least touched and least discovered Manipur promises to be the great tourist discovery of the 21st century.
      Manipur is blended with the majestic Loktak Lake, the strategic location of Moreh town, the uniqueness of the floating Keibul-Lamjao National Park and the Sangai Deer, the beauty of the and Dzukou Lilies, along with the naturally formed limestone caves, pristine green hills and valleys, meandering rivers, cascading rapids, exotic flora & fauna complimented by a rich arts and culture, folklore, myths and legends, indigenous games and artistic handloom and handicrafts.
      Manipur has a lot to offer to the tourists visiting this state. Some of the places worth visiting are Shree Govindajee Temple (a pilgrimage as well as historic center of the Vaishnavite), Kaina (a sacred place of Hindus), Khwairamand Bazaar (a market place run by women), Manipur Zoological Garden (renowned for the rare sangai deer), the beautiful Loktak Lake and Sendra Island. Besides these, Langthabal (historic sites), Moirang, Moreh, Phubala, Singda, Khongjom, Sahid Mandir, Khonghampat Orchidarium, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Sekta Archeological Living Museum, and the Manipur State Museum are surely worth a visit.

Shree Govindajee Temple
 

A historic Vaishnavite centre, adjoining the royal palace of Manipur's former Maharajas', the Govindajee temple is one of the most popular destination for the tourists. Twin domes, a paved courtyard, and a large raised congregation hall form a perfect backdrop for priests who descend the steps, to accept offerings from devotees in the courtyard. The shrines of Lord Krishna and Balaram and Jagannath flank the two sides of the presiding deity. Early hour prayer (Aarti) is a must for devoted followers, exuding spiritual fervour and ecstasy.

Kaina
      Occupying an important place in the hearts of Hindus, Kaina(also spelt Koina) is a famous

religious centre of Manipur. It is a hillock about 921 metres above sea level. It is a peaceful place gifted with a picturesque location. Here one feels in harmony with nature. A story is associated with this place that one night, Shri Govindajee appeared in the dream of his devotee, Shri Jai Singh Maharaja and asked the saintly king to install in a temple, an image of Shri Govindajee. It was to be carved out of a jack fruit tree, which was then growing at Kaina. The scenery in this place is charming and the hill shrubs and natural surroundings give the place a religious atmosphere. It is only 29 km (18 miles) from Imphal.

Khonghampat Orchidarium
     

Located 10 kms. from Imphal on National Highway No. 39 is the Khonghampat Orchidarium, the paradise of Orchids, which covers 200 acres and houses over 110 rare varieties of orchids, which include dozens of endemic species. The peak blooming season is March-April. Here the colourful flowers are waiting to greet you with sweet fragrance and wonderful views. A visit to Khonghampat Orchidarium is a trip to a different world altogether. An interesting thing about this place is that some of the orchids grown here have been fashioned by nature to resemble creatures like lizards, moths and bees. Cymbidium orchids grown here are admired the most. Among all the orchids, Cattleya is the most exotic. Khonghampat Orchidarium is also a home to some of the endangered types of orchids which are rarely found in other parts of the world. It also shelters Denrobium which is the second largest orchid genus.

Mutua Museum
      This Museum, a Cultural Complex is at Andro village (about 26 kms.) from the capital. Here artifacts of the State and from all over the North East are housed, such as pottery collection, rare coins, rare manuscripts of the state, paintings, basketries, bell metals, jewelleries, wood carving etc. There are exact replicas of the houses from different tribes and groups of the state like Poumai, Kabui, Meitei, Kuki, Tangkhul etc. It also has good collection of dolls, musical instruments and potteries. The doll house of the complex has been imaginatively developed by displaying 29 different types of dolls that represent the cross cultural mix of Manipuri tribes across the region.

Timings

10.00 am to 4.30 pm, Closed on Tuesday

Khwairamand Bazaar
   

Khwairamband Bazar is also known as Ima Keithel. In Manipuri Ima means mother and Keithel means market. So it is known as the mother’s market. It is a unique all women's market, with more than 3000 shopkeepers (all women). It is split into two sections on either side of a road. Vegetables, fruits, fishes and household groceries are sold in one section and exquisite handlooms and household tools in the other. This unit of women represents the strong foothold of women in the Manipuri society. They stand as glorying example of an equal society. Any women irrespective of her background, religion or community can set a store here.

Manipur State Museum
      Located in the heart of the city, near Polo Ground, Imphal, the Manipur State Museum is

considered as the most prominent museum of the state and is a prominent tourist attraction. It comprises various galleries of natural history, ethnology and archaeology. One of the main features of this museum is 54-feet long royal boat called Hiyang Hiren, showcased in the open gallery. From historical documents, war weapons and tribal clothing to royal costumes and ancient polo equipment, the range of artefacts exhibited is simply awesome. Some of the extraordinary collections include golden bird with canopy and gold-plated human mask along with skull.  Beside these items, visitors can see agricultural and domestic equipment, ancient smoking pipes, tribal ornaments, lighters, Manipuri textiles and Buddha relics.

Manipur Zoological Garden
 

The Manipur Zoological Garden at Iroishemba is only 6 kms. on the Imphal- Kangchup Road. Specialised in the preservation and breeding of rare species, this place with its lush greenery and calm atmosphere is surrounded by hills. Here, amoung the various endangered species, tourists will have an opportunity to see the graceful brow-antlered deer (Sangai), one of the rarest endangered species of deer in the world. It spreads over a large area of about 8 hectares and provides shelter to Thamin (Eld's Deer), which are endemic to this region. Besides, Slow Loris, Himalayan Bear, Python, Hoolock Gibbon, Flying Squirrel and Leopard Cat are other animals that can be seen here.
This garden is also home to a rare bird species called Nongin. The Forest Department, with the support of state authorities, has been able to conserve this almost extinct bird.

Singda Dam
      Singda Dam is the highest mud dam in the world. The dam, located about 20 km from Imphal at
an altitude of 920 mts above sea level, is a multipurpose irrigation project. It is a popular picnic spot, with its scenic views, and relative calm. The drive to the dam is picturesque and is surrounded by paddy fields and lush green hills. It is also a very popular hiking spot. October to May is the best time to visit Singda dam. Also one may explore a health resort located close to the dam for relaxation.

Loktak Lake & Keibul Lamjao National Park

     

Loktak Lake, located at 48 kms. from Imphal in the Bishnupur district of Manipur, is the largest fresh water lake in Northeast India. The Sendra Island Tourist Bungalow offers dazzling views of the lake, its rich plant and avian life and the intriguing floating weed, shallow bowl-like islands (Phumdi) and the fishermen who live on them harvesting water chestnuts. Situated in the middle of the lake, the tourist home has an attached Cafeteria for the visitors. Boating and other water spots are organised here at Takmu Water Sports Complex.

      Also on the southern part of the lake is the world's

only floating national park, the Keibul Lamjao National Park, a unique habitat of the rare Sangai, the dancing deer of Manipur. A glimpse of the deer in this unique wetland ecosystem is a must for any wildlife enthusiast. Other wildlife to be seen include Hog Deer, Otter, a host of water fowls and migratory birds (sighted during November to March). The Forest Department of Manipur maintains watch towers and two rest houses within the park.