Manipur Tourism

Manipur

Imphal

War Cemetery
        Along with Kohima in neighboring Nagaland, Imphal was the site of a major victory over the Japanese in World War II.  It is a pleasant cemetery dedicated to those who lost their live protecting India from Japanese aggression, and is a popular site for tourists and anyone seeking to pay their respects to the dead.
    
Sri Govindajee Temple
        The center of cultural life in Imphal and a historical site in its own right during the reign of the Manipuri Maharajas before the British, Sri Govindajee Temple is a beautiful structure in central Imphal characterized by two large domes with many idols of Hindu deities.  It is significant for both its history and religious importance among the locals.
    
Kangla Fort
        Kangla Fort is a major tourist attraction in Imphal.  Held in high esteem by the Manipuris for its role in resisting the British during the many Anglo-Manipuri scuffles until the fort was taken in 1892.  It was the site of many battles against the former Raj.
Dzuko Valley
    
Kaina Hill
        A sacred hill to the Hindus of Manipur, Kaina Hill has a fabulous vista of the Manipur valley and is a short ride and hike from Imphal.  Many tourists visit the hill to take in the scenic environs.

Moirang
    A center of ancient Manipuri culture, Moirang has a strong cultural tradition that continues to permeate its streets.  It is home to the famous Lai Haraoba dance celebration every year, one of the best times to get a glimpse of Manipuri's famous and unique dancing styles.  Moirang is also nearby the beautiful Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park, by far the most popular tourist attractions in the state.
      
Loktak Lake
        A beautiful lake and the largest in Northeastern India, Loktak is famous for the "phumdies" floating on it, islands of vegetation and dirt that are slowly decomposing.  This gives it a unique distinction of being the only lake of its kind in the world, and it is considered by some to be one of the Seven Wonders of India.
    
Keibul Lamjao National Park
        In the corner of Loktak lake is Keibul Lamjao National Park, which preserves much of the wildlife of the lake and has many endemic species such as an endangered python only found on the islands.  It has the strange quality of being the only "floating" national park anywhere on earth, too!

Dzuko Valley
        Accessible from either Moirang or Imphal via road, Dzuko Valley is one of the most spectacular areas in India because of its natural charm and sweeping hills.  Considered to be one of the best places in India for trekking and hiking, many backpackers take the trouble to get to the region to see nature at its best.

Manipur History and Culture

    Manipur has a long history going back thousands of years, but unfortunately many of the records have been lost.  Like much of the region, it was isolated for hundreds of years; however, it has much of the same culture as the subcontinent, with the majority of its population being Hindu.
    Manipur was the last state to join the British Raj, and it did so with much resistance.  Dozens of wars were fought between Manipur and the British until the area was finally subjugated.  The arrival of the British radically changed the character of much of Manipur, with many Hindu and Tribal customs being outlawed, such as sati and headhunting among the tribes, but they also condemned many positive aspects of Manipuri culture and American and British missionaries proselytized the area heavily.  Today, most of the hill tribes are practicing Baptists.
    Manipur was the site of a major battle between the British Raj and the Japanese in World War II, where the town of Imphal rebuked Japanese advances, protecting the subcontinent from further incursions.  Today, Imphal has a much frequented War cemetery and memorial dedicated to the sacrifices made by the many brave men and women who fought there.
    After the Independence of India from the British, Manipur resisted becoming part of either India or Pakistan, but it was given no choice for its own independence and consequently the then presiding Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh joined India.
    Some bitterness remains in Manipur over the refusal of its own independence and it has one of the most violent secessionist movements in India, second to only Jammu and Kashmir.  This violence has resulted in a very limited tourist industry characterized by a lot of red tape and limited mobility in the state, but special permits can be expedited through the major cities of Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
    In spite of it's current political troubles, Manipur is a beautiful state to visit and has some of the most breathtaking scenery in India.  Eco-tourists visiting the state find it to be extremely rewarding and some sites, such as Loktak Lake, are truly unlike anywhere on earth and are a one-of-a-kind experience.