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MANIPUR GUIDE

 
The state of Manipur, stretching along the border with Myanmar, centers on a vast lowland area watered by the lake system south of its capital Imphal. The area around Imphal is now all but devoid of trees, the outlying hills are still forested, and shelter such exotic birds, and animals as the spotted linshang. The unique natural habitat of Loktak Lake, with its floating islands of matted vegetation, is home to the Sangai deer. Manipur is a mosaic of traditions and cultural patterns, best represented by its dance forms.
 
Guide

Attractions

 
 

  MANIPUR INFORMATION

  
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. 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.
 
   

  MANIPUR FACTS AND FIGURES

  

Manipur at a Glance ...

Area:    

22,327 sq km

Capital:

Imphal

Languages: 

Hindi, English
Population:
18,37,149
Per Capita Income:
5,547
Religion:
Hindu
Main Income:
Tourism ,Agriculture
Best Time to visit:
All year through
 
   

  MANIPUR HISTORY

  
Manipur represents population of two ethnic groups, the people who inhabit the hills called the Nagas and those who inhabit the valley called the Meiteis. The hills are also inhabited by the group called the Kukis. Imphal is the political capital of Manipur. The earliest recorded history dates to 900AD. In the course of its history there have been several invasions from Myanmar (Burma) which borders with Manipur and numerous clashes with the Nagas. In 1826, Manipur was brought into India by the treaty of Yandavo by Raja Jai Singh with the British at the end of the Indo-Burmese war. This followed a dispute in accession to the throne. With the intervention of the British the dispute was settled. In 1891 Churachand was nominated the Raja and it came under British rule as a princely state. During World War II Imphal was occupied by the Japanese. After Indian independence Manipur became a Union Territory and subsequently achieved statehood in January 21,1972.
 
   

  MANIPUR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

  
War Cemetery (Imphal) » Loktaklake (Imphal)» Bishnupur (Imphal) » Kaina (Imphal) » INA Memorial (Imphal) » Red Hill (Imphal) » Moirang (Imphal) »Ukhrul (Imphal)
 
   

  MANIPUR FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

  
The Manipur Comman Festivals:-ratyatra,Janmashtami,Heikru Hitoga,Durga Puja-Durga Puja is celebrated in Mera (October) month. The main centre of worship of Durga Puja is the Kali temple of Imphal town. The images of goddess Durga are made at several places in Mandapas and in public places. The Mandapas are decorated during these days and Puja is held in praise of the goddess. The Brahmins recite stories of Puranas, Krishna, Radha and Chaitanya. The idol of goddess is carried in a procession on the last day.Diwali-The Diwali festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The houses are cleaned and decorated.Baruni,Yaosang,Cheiraoba,Tribl Festival.
 
   

  HOW TO REACH

  

By Air :
The capital of Manipur, Imphal, is well connected with the rest of the country by air. Imphal connects the place with Guwahati, Delhi, and Calcutta.

By Rail :
As Manipur has no railway network, the nearest railhead to reach Manipur is Silchar in Assam.

By Road : Manipur is well linked with the rest of the country by both national and state highways. The state transport corporation plies regular scheduled buses from Imphal to the other cities in the region.  
 
   

  MANIPUR MAJOR CITIES

  
Imphal » Bishnpur » Senapati » Tamenglong » Chandel » Ukhrul
 
   

  MANIPUR WILDLIFE AND BIRDS

  
Keibul Lamjao National Park:Park Safari Timings,The best time to enjoy the park is between 0600 and 1000 hrs in the morning and 1530 and 1800 hrs in the afternoon.Birdlife: A variety of rare birds occur in Keibul Lamjao and the Loktak Lake. The avifauna consists primarily of the smaller reed-dwelling species. Waterfowl, which were unfailing winter migrants to the lake, are becoming more rare because of the lack of open water surfaces. The Hooded Crane may be seen in the Manipur valley. The Black Eagle and the Shaheen Falcon are some of the raptors seen here. The Eastern White Stork, Bamboo Partridge and Green Peafowl are also found here.Mammals: Some very rare animals may be encountered in and around this wilderness. The star attraction, of course, is the brow-antlered deer Cervus eldi eldi, called sangai in the local Meitei dialect. This particular subspecies of the Thamin deer is also fondly called Manipur's dancing deer because of its delicate gait as it negotiates its way along the floating wetlands. Other species of deer seen here include the hog deer, sambar and muntjac. One of the most primitive primates.
 
   

  MANIPUR ARTS AND CRAFTS

  
The most primitive and the oldest of arts in Manipur, is the engravings on rocks at Tharon, Khonpuru and Salunghat. In one engraving there is a depiction of two Kabui houses drawn on a line which carries 13 heads of buffalo, another line parallel to this shows 30 heads of buffalo, in between the two lines is the mithun figure drawn. The drawing in engravings are simple but meaningful. It is difficult to translate the expression but is sure that the artist has described the topography, inhabitation and the fauna.In another engraving a single line of 33 Anthromorphs can be seen. Each figure is shown with round head on a vertical dot which is followed by a biconcave geometric figure to form the body. The legs are shown by making a semi circular dot at the other end of the figure. The bugle is distinctively drawn above the row.In the third engraving inside an irregular circle, there are figures of a man, woman and child with an animal probably a pig. There the artist may be depicting the family unit. The animal depiction may be that the pig is an essential animal which is a part and parcel of the family unit. Some engravings have been found at Khonpum situated at the left bank of Irang river. The gun, spear-head, pointed-spear and swords engraved must be the weapons in use in the Kabui village. There are figures of horses and drawings of straight lines. These lines are the beginning of education. There is also a design of female genital organ. This must be because of the Tantric influence. The art was available in the pre-historic as well historic times.
 
   

  MANIPUR ECONOMY

  
Manipur has made some progress in the setting up of small scale industrial units of which some 7700 have been set up. A joint sector plant to manufacture drugs and pharmaceuticals has been commissioned and electronic goods, Steel fabrication articles and plastic goods are being produced in the state. A cement plant has also come up in Manipur. Among other industries a spinning mill, a ghee manufacturing unit and similar factories to make other consumer products have been commissioned up to 2000AD and a profile of a number of industries which could be set up in the state has been prepared. Agriculture and allied activities is the single largest source of livelihood of rural folk. Paddy is the main crop grown. Manipuri rice is very sweet. It can be eaten without curry. Other crops are wheat, pulses, maize etc. There are two modes of cultivation viz, punghul and transplantation of seeds. In the hill area Jhum and terraced cultivation are carried in the agricultural season. In general the land is cleared in the month of January and February. Crops are sown in May-June and harvesting starts in October and ends about in the early part of December. The soil is considered fit for all kinds of grain crops, vegetables and fruits. Sirohee hill in Ukural is famous for the Sirohee lily. The species of this plant is endemic to that particular hill only. Fruits cultivated include pine-apple, arum, orange. In some areas of the valley apricot, oranges, lemons and mangoes are also grown. Every kind of vegetables like cabbage, carrot, radish, beetroot, turnip, ladies finger, pumpkin and pulses are grown and the yield is very good. Vegetables also include chilly, potato, cabbage, pea, brinjal and tomato.