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).
CLIMATE: 32.0 Deg. C. (Mean Max.); 0.0
Deg. C. (Mean Min.).
BEST SEASON: October to February.
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Manipuri, Hindi and
English.
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATIONS :
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.
TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRE
1) GOVT.
OF INDIA TOURIST OFFICE, Jail Road, Imphal 795001. Tel.
221131.
2) TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE, Directorate of Tourism,
Govt. of Manipur
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