Manipur
Martial arts and a demure dance. The green state
of Manipur, and Imphal its capital, has all
the fine, merged, tints of a water colour. Faiths
and traditions and life styles seem to flow
into each other with a softedged grace so that
it is impossible to know where one ends and
the other begins.
The so- called Manipur valley is really a
plateau about 700 meteres high, watered by
rivers threading out of the dark, mist-topped,
ranges. Bright green fields stretch all the
way to the distant mountains. And the character
of the terrain changes from parts resembling
the delicate valley of Kangra, north of the
plains of Punjab, to that of the flat-sub-mountain
lands of Kerala deep in the warm south of
India. Like the Nair women of Kerala the women
of Manipur are trained in the fierce local
Martial art known as Thang-ta. Both the men
and women are dressed in black and they wield
their swords like slicing, flashing, propellers;
and when their swords clash, sparks fly. They
look like lithe, vicious, felines. And all
the while, drums grumble and murmur ominously.
In marked contrast, is the delicate, marionette-like,
Manipuri dance. The choreographers of this
very feminine dance must ensure that the faces
of the women are veiled at all times, that
there is no gesture or eye-contact between
the dancers and their audience, that the movements
of the lower part of the body are minimal,
that the bottom half of the costumes are heavy
and concealing, and that the mudra gestures
and movements merely suggest the relationship
between the dancers and their Divine Master,
Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna in his manifestation
as Govindji is the presiding deity in the
revered Sri Govindji Temple with its twin
golden domes. The principal deity here is
carved out of a jackfruit tree in response
to a dream which Rajarshi Bhagyachandra had
in the 18th century. Older forms of worship,
however, continue to exist in the veneration
of forest deities known as Umang Lais. They
are represented as metal masks, similar to
the deities of other Himalayan people such
as the Himachalis of Kulu. Thus Imphal gives
a fascinating insight into an archetypal Indian
trend: multiple ethno - cultural streams merging
into patterns like a gently blended water-colour.
Access
Nearest airport and railhead is Dimapur –
215 km.
Regular state transport buses ply from Dimapur.
Accomodation
Accommodation is available in a few budget
hotels
Imphal
Imphal, the capital of the easternmost state
of Manipur, is the centre of all cultural,
commercial and political activities. Manipur,
popularly known as the "land of jewels"
splits up naturally into two parts - the hills
and the plains. The inhabitants of these two
divisions have their own distinctive dialects,
customs and tribal costumes.
Though small in area, Manipur is rich in
its culture, traditions, festivals, dances,
handlooms and handicrafts.
Population: 4 Lakhs-Imphal; 18.27 Lakhs-Manipur
(1991).
Area: 29.57 Sq Km
Altitude: 790 metres above at MSL.
Rainfall: 1980.8 mm (May to October).
Temerature (°C): Max. 32 Min. 0
Best Season: October to February.
Languages spoken: Manipuri, Hindi and English.
How to get there
Air: Indian Airlines flights connect Imphal
with Delhi via Guwahati on Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays & Saturdays. Imphal is also connected
with Calcutta via Agartala and Silchar by
Indian flights.
Rail:The nearest railhead is Dimapur-215
km.
Road:Motorable roads connect Imphal with
Agartala-465 km, Aizwal-374 km, Dimapur-216
km, Guwahati-579 km, Itanagar-413 km, Kaziranga-346
km, Kohima-123 km, Shillong-643 km.
Bus Service: Nagaland State Transport runs
a semi-luxury bus daily from Dimapur to Imphal
(9 hrs). The Manipur State Transport also
runs a service, BLUE HILLS TRAVEL, with its
centre of operations in Guwahati, with luxury
buses connecting all the State capitals of
the North-Eastern region.
Unmetered taxi,Autorickshaw & Cycle Rickshaw
available here
Places of interest
SHRI GOVINDAJEE TEMPLE: This temple, adjoining
the palace of the formar rulers of Manipur,
is a historic centre for Vaishnavites.
KHWAIRAMBAND BAZAR : The market is very special
because all the stall-holders are women.
MANIPUR STATE MUSEUM : This interesting museum
near the polo grounds has a fairly good display
of Manipur's tribal heritage and a collection
of portraits of Manipur's former rulers. 1000
to 1630 hours. Closed on Sundays and Hholidays.
Entrance : Adult- Re. 1, Child-00.50.
THE OLD PALACE : In the heart of the town,
and in grounds now occupied by the para-military
forces for their training, there are interesting
ruins of an old fortress wall and a palace.
The sentry at the gate stops vehicles but
visitors are permitted to enter once the guard
is assured that they have come to see the
ruins.
WAR CEMETERIES : The British and Indian Army
Cemeteries commemorating those who died in
the 2nd World War are serene and well-maintained
with little stone markers and bronze plaques
recording their anguish and sacrifice.
MANIPUR ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN : About 6 kms off
Imphal, towards the west, is this zoological
garden at Iroishemba on the Imphal-Kangchup
road.
KHONGHAMPAT ORCHIDARIUM : The Orchid Yard
of the Forest Department, on National Highway
No.39, about 7 kms from Imphal, is another
place of interest. Peak season is April-May.
SAHEED MINAR : The Minar at Bir Tikendrajit
Park in the heart of Imphal commemorates the
indomitable spirit of Manipur martyrs who
sacrificed their lives while fighting against
the British in 1891.
LANGTHABAND : 8 km down the Indo-Burma road
lies this small hill feature with the relics
of an old historic palace.
Excursions
BISHNUPUR (27 KM.) : The single-celled, conical
roofed temple of Bishnu.
PHUBALA (40 KM): To the south of Imphal on
the western fringes of Loktak Lake lies this
charming resort. Acco : Tourist Home. Rs.
25 (S), 50 (D).
Resv.: Deputy Director of Tourism, Govt.of
Manipur, Imphal, Tel. 220802.
MOIRANG (45 KM.) : From Imphal to the south,
is one of the ancient villages of Manipur
contributing mush to her culture. Traditional
" Moirang Lai Haraoba " is celebrated
sometime in the month of May every year from
the olden days. During the festival, men and
women in hundreds dance and sing in honour
of Thangjing. On the time of Second World
War Moirang was the H. Q. of the Azad Hind
Fouz where Netaji hoisted for the first time
the flag of I. N. A. on the Indian soil. Moirang
offers I.N.A. memorialwith the Statue of Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose.
LOKTAK LAKE (45 KM.) : The largest fresh water
lake in the North-Eastern India.Its vast expanse
of water with both resident & migratory
birds offers scope for shooting, fishing and
boating. The importance of Loktak Lake is
the little Islands Thanga and Karang in the
centre of the lake, labyrinth of boat routes
amidst the floating marshes.
SENDRA (48 KM.) : An islet in the middle of
Loktak Lake is a view point overlooking the
lake and its surroundings. A telescope is
to be installed here to watch the animals
in their natural habits in Keibul Lamjao National
Park. Acco : Tourist Home. Rs. 25 (S), 50
(D). Resv: Deputy Director of Tourism, Govt.
of Manipur, Imphal, Tel. 220802.
KEIBUL LAMJAO NATIONAL PARK (53 KM.) : Inside
the famous Loktak Lake, the only floating
National Park of its kind in India. It is
the natural habitat of the rare Browentelered
deer found nowhere else.
CHURACHANDPUR (59 KM.) : District H. Q. of
Manipur south and an advanced tribal ( Kuki
) town where local hanicrafts are available
in the market. Acco : Tourist Bunglow. Rs.
50 (D). Resv. : Deputy Director of Tourism,
Govt. of Manipur, Imphal, Tel. 220802; Hotel
Rajdoot, Rs. 30-80 (S), 50- 150 (D); Hotel
International, Rs. 40 (S), 70 (D), 110 (T),
150 (4 Bed); Green Hotel, Rs. 20 (S), 40 (D);
Hotel Eden, Rs. 25-30 per bed.
KANGCHUP (16 KM) : At an altitude of 921 metres
from Imphal in the west is a health resort
on the hills over-looking Manipur valley.
It is also a mountain pass on the road to
Tamenglong. Acco : Inspection Bungalow.
KOUBRU HILL (50 KM.) : 8404 feet high Koubru
Hill is a pilgrim centre.
MAO (106 KM.) : 1757 metres high Mao is a
hill station half-way between Dimapur and
Imphal on N.H.no. 39. The place is rich in
Mao Naga culture.
UKHRUL (83 KM) : To the east of Imphal,the
district H.Q. of Manipur East is the highest
hill station of Manipur. Acco : Circuit House.
Rs.25 (S), 50 (D). Resv. : D.C. Ukhrul; Hotel
Iceland, Rs.75 (S), 120 (D), 150 (T); Hotel
Rebekah, Rs. 25 / bed; Hotel Soso, Rs. 25
/ bed. & Other hotels.
KAINA (29 KM.) : A beautiful hillock, can
be reached by bus via Thoubal. Acco : Kaina
Tourist Home. Rs. 25 (S), 50 (D). Resvn. :
Deputy Director of Tourism, Govt. of Manipur,
Imphal, Tel. 220802.
WAITHOU LAKE (16 KM): On Indo-Burma road by
the side of the lake is a picturesque village
fam- ous for its pineapples. Acco : Waithou
Tourist Home. Rs. 25 (S), 50 (D). Reservation
: Deputy Director of Tourism, Govt. of Manipur,
Tel. 220802.
KHONGJOM (36 KM.) : On Indo-Burma road it
is a place of great historic importance. Here
Major Genrl. Paona Brajabashi one of the great
warriors of Manipur, proved his valour against
the invading British Army in 1891. The hillock
at the foot of which he laid down his life
in defence of his motherland. A war memorial
on the top of this hill feature adds charm
to this historic site. Khongjom Day is celebrated
as a state function every year on April 23.
Acco. : Khongjom Tourist Home. Rs. 25 (S),
50 (D). Resvn : Dy. Director of Tourism, Govt.
of Manipur, Imphal, Tel.: 220802.
TENGNOUPAL (69 KM): Highest point of the Imphal-Burma
road and from here one can have a full view
of the valley of Manipur. MOREH (110 KM.)
: The border town of India on the Indo-Burma
road. Acco. : Forest Bunglow. Rs.20/bed. Resv
: Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Forest
Department, Imphal. P.W.D. Inspection Bunglow.
Rs. 25/bed. Resv : Executive Engineer P.W.D.,
Khuyathong Bazar, Imphal. Hotel Eastern Palace.
Rs. 40 (S), 75 (D),100 (T); Rachna Hotel.
Rs. 25 (S),50 (D); River View. 30 (S),50 (D).
Hotel Imphal. Rs. 20 (S), 40 (D), 15 / bed
in the Dormitory.
