Things you don’t want to miss

 

          The land of Jewels- Manipur, stretching across an area of 22,327 sq km in the North-eastern part

          of India is a beautiful place to realise earth’s serenity and perplexity. With a diverse demography

          composed of Meiteis, Kukis,Nagas, Hmars and Pangals,Gorkhas and Bishnupriya Manipuris who

          speak different languages; the state has a rich history and amazing natural beauty. Its state flower

          Shirui Lily is a rare species of plant found only in the upper reaches of Ukhrul district .

                   

          Manipur is credited with introducing Polo to Europeans. It is this Indian state where British colonial

          officers first watched locals play a rule-based pulu or sagolkangjei (literally, horse and stick) game

          in 1859, which they took to Calcutta and then in England.

 

          How to reach- 

                   

          Roadways- Private owned and managed deluxe coaches run daily from Imphal to Guwahati and

                             Dimapur and back thus facilitating along the 3 National Highway.

 

          Railways- NH-39 links Imphal with railhead at Dimapur in Nagaland, 215 km to the north. NH 53

                           links Imphal with railhead at Jiribam, 225 Km in the south-west. Railways will reach Imphal

                           by 2016 as claimed by the department of tourism,Manipur.

 

          Airways- Imphal is the second largest airport in the region. Imphal is connected to Kolkata ,New Delhi,

                         Guwahati, Aizawl , Dimapur & Silchar by Air India , Jet Airways , Indigo , Kingfisher & NE Shuttles.

 

          Here are few things you must do when you visit Manipur-

                   

          1.) Enchant your eyes with the breathtaking view of Phumdis (floating islands) on Loktak lake.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          2.) Traverse the Keibul Lamjao National Park, world's only floating park and amaze yourself with

                the magnificence of Sangai deer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          3.) Be a part of exciting adventure-sports, cultural exhibitions, spectacular shows covering music,

                dance and stunts from various groups across Manipur and neighbouring areas in Sangai festival.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                   

          4.) Spend time in the ruins of Kangla fort , the royal palace of Manipur since the reign of Pakhangba

               (33 AD) .Kangla was not only the seat of political power but also a holy place for religious

                worship and ceremonies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          5.) Find tranquil solitude away from your monotonous and busy lives at Sindga dam, where the

               earth seems to steal your troubles away. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          6.) Relive the memory of Indian National struggle in Moirang where Colonel Shaukat Malik of the

                Azad Hind Fauj, (INA) hoisted the Tricolour for the first time on Indian soil on 14 April 1944,

                with the help of Manipuris like Shri Mairembam Koireng Singh and others who were members of the INA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     

          7.) Venture into an unknown world of darkness in Thalon caves..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     

          8.) Aggrandise your scope from tap dancing and try Thabal Chongba (dancing in the moonlight)

               during the festival of Yaoshang. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     

          9.) And finally, please your taste buds with traditional cuisines like Nga Atoiba Thongba, Chahou Kheer,

                Ngari, Kabok,sinju and Iromba. 

                Manipur's traditional beverage made of rice called ‘YU’, popular in Meitei community is worth

                experiencing to add up on your list of desis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               Don't forget to spare some time to visit Pauna and Thangal market of Imphal and check out beautiful

               Phaneks, Pheishois and countless other traditional & elegant costumes. Grab your trekking shoes

               and the most comfortable casuals for a reposing experience in the land of beauty, diversity and                                  eccentricity.

 

               Trust us! Your first reaction will be - MANIPUR PHAJEI! 

               What? Google some more keywords. You’re going to need them.

 

-  By Sakshi Rai