28th December, 2021 – 30th December, 2021
Manipur is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is known as the Land of gems. In Manipur about two-thirds of the people are Meitei ( Meetei), who occupy the Manipur valley and are largely Hindus. Meitei women conduct most of the trade in the valley and enjoy high social status. Indigenous hill tribes, such as the Nagas in the north and the Kukis in the south, make up the rest of the population.
Manipur has given birth to an indigenous form of classical dance known as manipuri. One of the six classical dance forms of India. The Rasa Leela s based on Hindu Vaishnavism themes, and exquisite performances of love-inspired dance drama of Radha-Krishna. Unlike other Indian dance forms, hand movements are used decoratively rather than as pantomime, bells are not accentuated, and both men and women perform communally.
It is the birthplace of Modern Polo.
History
In 1762, Maharaja Jai Singh concluded a treaty with the British to repel an invasion of Burmans from Myanmar (Burma).
In the Royal family, successions were disputed and from 1891 to 1899 the administration was under the British.
In 1907, the government was assumed by the raja and the durbar, or council, whose vice president was a member of the Indian civil service.
In 1917, a new system of government was adopted; the region was divided into three subdivisions.
It was accessed to India in 1947 and was later a Union Territory. It attained statehood in July, 1972.
Places to visit:
Loktak Lake
It is the largest natural freshwater lake in India. It is a pulsating lake, with surface area varying from 250 sq km to 500 sq km during rainy season with a typical area of 287 sq km. The etymology of Loktak is Lok = “stream” and tak = “the end”.
It is located in Moirang in Bishnupur district, Manipur and is the only floating lake in the world due to the floating ‘phumdis’. Phumdis are heterogeneous mass of soil, vegetation and organic matter at various stages of decomposition. These phumdis occupy almost half of the area of the lake. In the year 1990, the lake was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Ima Keithel Womans Market
A unique all women’s market, having 3000 “Imas” or mothers who run the stalls, it is split two sections on either side of road. Vegetables, fruits, fish and household groceries are sold on one side and exquisite handlooms and household tools on the other. Not far away is a street where beautiful wicker works and basketry are sold.
Kangla Fort
The seat of Manipur’s power till 1891, historical embodiment of Manipuri Rulers and the people of Manipur, Kangla has a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Manipuri people. The literal meaning of Kangla is Dry Land and it is a part of the Meitei language. This ancient capital of Manipur is situated in the centre of the city of Imphal During earlier times the fort was on both sides of River Imphal but now only its remains are left on the western edge of the river bank. Now known as a historical and archaeological site it is still dotted with several shrines that are still revered by the locals and people of the adjoining Northeast states.
War Cemetery
The War Cemeteries in Imphal commemorates the memories of the British and Indian soldiers who died during the World War II. These War Cemeteries are managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Serene and well-maintained, the War Cemetery carries little stone markers and bronze plaques recording the sacrifices of those gallant soldiers.
Louis Mountbatten described the battle fought at Imphal and Kohima as “probably one of the greatest battles in history”. In 2013, the Battle of Kohima and Imphal was voted as one of the greatest battles in history, based on a national survey conducted by the National Army Museum.[2]
INA Memorial
INA Memorial is situated at Moirang. The Moirang town is important from the perspectives of the Indian freedom struggle and the II World War. It was at Moirang that the flag of the Indian National Army was first unfurled on April 14, 1944 by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Moirang became the official headquarter of the INA. The place latter developed as INA complex. The complex has a life style statue of Subhash Chandra Bose and a memorial museum. The Museum contains the letters, photographs and badges of ranks and other memorabilia of the sacrifice made by the INA. The complex is visited by a large number of tourists every year mainly from Japan and England to pay homage to those killed in the War.
Moreh
Its at the Burma border. around 107 kms from Imphal and a place visited by a lot of tourists. Has the local Border Haat trade, under the India-Myanmar Barter Trade mechanism, in which over 40 tradable items are listed. Major exports include cement, engineering goods, transport equipment, motor cycles, iron and steels, medicine, chemicals and allied products, cotton yarn, etc. The major items now imported from Myanmar through barter mechanism are betel nuts, turmeric, red kidney beans (Rajma), kuth roots, gram, resin, dry ginger, etc.
Eating Out in Manipur
The restaurants in Imphal offer tasty Indian and Chinese dishes. If you like to taste different food then you must try the local dishes of Manipur. There are number of local food stalls located in Khwairamband bazaar. Some of the best restaurants in Manipur are Naoba’s Restaurant, Fire Bowl Restaurant, Uptown Café and Paona Plaza. Please check out “Singju” for a one time experience.
