Places To See in Manipur

¤ Main Attractions in Manipur

Manipur as the name suggest is a land of jewels. Manipur's culture and the present mix of the races stem from the influences of the Vaishnavism and the embedded traditional values in the region. Its rich culture excels in every aspects as in martial arts, dance, theater and sculpture. The charm of the place is the greenery with the moderate climate making it a tourists haven. The beautiful and seasonal Siroi Lily at Ukhrul(district), Sangai(Brow antlered deer) and the floating islands at Loktak Lake are one of the rare things found at Manipur. Polo, which can be called a royal game, also originated from Manipur.

Imphal (Capital)
The city is mainly inhabited by the Vaishnavites and it is just 7 kms from the airport of Manipur (Tulihal airport). The district is divided into East and West and the recently constructed stadium (Khuman Lampak Stadium) is also one of the attractions comprising of every thing, from a cyclists velodrome to the main stadium. Most of the imported goods are sold here at its Paona Bazar and Gambhir Singh Shopping Complex.

Keibul Lamjao National Park
Keibul Lamjao National Park, 48 km away from Imphal is an abode of, rare and endangered species of Brow Antlered deer (also known as Sangai). This ecosystem is home to 17 rare species of mammals. The greenery of the place and the moderate temperature makes a pleasant experience to visit.

Loktak Lake (Freshwater Lake)
It is the lake where most of the people of Manipur get their share of fish meat. The special treat to watch are the floating islands popularly known as Phumdi which is made out of the tangle of watery weeds and other plants. With a nominal fee, people can hire small boats and see this fascinating way of living on these floating islands. The wetland is swampy and is favourable for a number of species to thrive on. It is in the district of Moirang.

Manipuri Dance (Ras Lila)
A classical form of Manipuri dance based and inspired by the theme of Lord Krishna and his beloved, Radha love story and the devotion of the Gopis (companions) towards Lord Krishna. This graceful and slow movement of the dance makes it one of the most acclaimed classical dances of India. The costume is elegant, as there are nicely embroidered clothes that give luster to the beauty of the art.

Shree Govindajee Temple
This temple is the premiere temple in Manipur and it adjoins the palaces of the former rulers of the state. The temple is simple in design with gold domes, a paved court and a large, raised congregation hall. The deity in the center has other idols of Radha Govinda, Balaram and Krishna and Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on either side of it.

Sahid Minar
The tall Minar of Bir Tikendrajit Park located at the heart of the city is built in memory of the Manipur Martyrs who gave their lives fighting against British in 1891.

Chorus Repertory Theater
The auditorium of the theater is situated on the out-skirts of Imphal and the campus stretches for about two acres. It has housing and working quarters to accommodate a self-sufficiency of life. The theater association has churned out internationally acclaimed plays like 'Chakravyuha' and 'Uttarpriyadashi'. Its' 25 years of existence in theater had disciplined its performers to a world of excellence. 'Chakravyuha' taken from the Mahabharat epic had won Fringe Firsts Award, 1987 at the Edinburgh International Theater Festival. 'Chakravyuha' deals with the story of Abhimanyu (son of Arjun) of his last battle and approaching death whereas 'Uttarpriyadashi' is an 80-minute exposition of Emperor Ashoka's redemption.