Coyly nestled in the northeast corner of India, the lush green state of Manipur aptly deserves the name, which in Hindi means "the jewel of a land". The picturesque landscape is known to the world more because of its divine Manipuri dance form.
Set among the smoky blue hills, tiny state of Manipur is a land of myths and mystery. Tourist attractions in Manipur lie mostly in its splendid landscape, bounteous nature and its cultural wealth. Smokey blue hills and the verdant forests, offer a stunning combination, which you can hardly ignore. Nature is intoxicatingly beautiful and the serenity is overwhelming.
Tourist Places in Manipur
- Imphal: The bustling capital city of the state lies in a heart shaped valley 790 m above sea level. This is a melting pot of various tribes that constitute the populace of Manipur. Tourist attractions in Manipur are mostly located in around the city.
- Govindajee Temple: This is a Vaishnavite temple built by the former King's of Manipur. The simple but beautiful structure consists of 2 domes and a large congregation hall. The shrines of Krishna and Balaram on one side and Jagannnath flank the presiding deity.
- War Cemetery: Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains the graveyard. Little stone markers with bronze plaques on them commemorate the dead British and Indian soldiers of World War II.
- Khonghampat Orchidarium: The sprawling land of 200 acres boasts of over 110 rare varieties of orchids including a dozen endemic species.
- Zoological Gardens: It houses Sangai (the graceful brow antlered deer) at the base of pine-clad hillocks.
- Langthabal: This is a small hill featuring relics of a historic palace and architecturally beautiful temples.
- Bishnupur: The place has a Vishnu temple with peculiar Chinese influence. Beside that, the Loktak Lake, the largest fresh water lake of the northeastern India and Red hill where a fierce battle between the British and the Japanese took place during the World War II.
- Manipuri Dance: This divine dance form of Manipur has spread its fame far and wide. It is also a very important one among Indian classical dance forms depicting the sublime love between lord Krishna and his consorts Radha and the Gopi's (milkmaids).
- Some important fairs and festivals are: The Raas Leela, Gang-Ngai (5days in December/January), Lui-Ngai-Ni (15th of February), Yaoshang (5days in February/March), Rath Jatra (10days in June/July) to list up only a few.
