The word Manipur literally means a ‘jeweled town’, a name that rightly justifies the small and picturesque land. The people here are very polite and hospitable. Rich in its culture, tradition, and ethnicity, Manipur is one of the seven northeastern states of India. The Raasleelas and the classical dance of Manipur hold a very significant position in the cultural map of India. With sites like the Loktak Lake and the Khonghampat Orchidarium, Manipur is also famous for its natural beauty.

Manipur is situated in the northeastern part of India. Manipur is bordered on its north by Nagaland; on its east lies Myanmar (Burma). The southern part is bordered by the state of Mizoram, while the green valleys of Assam bound the western part .

Tourist Attraction

Senapati

Senapati is one of the nine districts in the state of Manipur and one of best destinations to visit if you are a nature lover. It is also name of the town which serves as the district headquarter. Like most other places in the northeast, this district and the town have preserved natural beauty at its best. Visitors are treated with a glimpse of the hilly landscapes, serpentine streams, pristine rivers, deep gorges and rugged mountains during their visit to this place in Manipur. If you are looking for some adventure during your visit to Manipur this district is meant to offer you the best.

Senapati Attraction

• Mao
• Yangkhullen
• Maramkhullen
• Liyai
• Makhel

Andro

Cities offer many insights and can quickly occupy your touristy agenda. But if you’re looking for a break from the modern and are curious about the past, take a detour to this tiny village of Andro in Manipur. With everything from traditional handicrafts and indigenous brews to an ancient temple shrouded in local folklore, Andro offers an insightful gaze into the state’s rich history.

From pretty paintings and handcrafted tribal dolls (that depict the traditional attires of the 29 recognised tribes of Manipur) to stone figurines and wood carvings of local legends, this museum is a stunning display of Andro’s cultural legacy.

However, the Andro’s unusual style of pottery is the cynosure of all eyes at the museum. (like Kambi, Eshaipu, Pudon Makhong, Yukhum, Walom, Ngangkha and Wangkham). Other than agriculture, pottery is the main occupation of the villagers who excel at it.

Tourist Attraction

• Santhei Natural Park
• Selloi Langgmai Ecological park
• Barauni Hill
• Kaina Temple

Imphal

One of the few places in India where nothing seems to have changed is Imphal, a tiny valley tucked away in the northeastern state of Manipur. Relics of an old, historical palace, well-planned temples and ceremonial houses in all their splendor amidst the tall pine and jackfruit trees, speak of Imphal’s ancient past.

At places, Imphal looks almost like a painting-clouds hanging low over long stretches of lush green fields and numerous small hills of the green-blue Koubrou and Namaijing ranges forming a garland around the valley. Adding a riot of color are hundreds of orchids.

The best way to visit the places in Imphal is to hire an auto-rickshaw or a cycle-rickshaw on an hourly basis. It will take you to all the interesting sites and finally to the central market where you can spend as much time as you like.

Lying at the center of Manipur valley, Imphal is one of the most ancient towns in the Indian subcontinent and has much to offer to a discerning tourist.

Tourist Attraction

• Kangla Palace
• Shri Shri Govindaji Temple
• Manipur State Museum
• Khwaiamband Bajar

Fair & Festivals of Manipur

Located in the northeastern part of India, Manipur is a beautiful state and a major tourist attraction of the state. The state is rich in culture and heritage and celebrates various fairs and festivals. Ningol Chakouba, Yaoshang, Ramjan, Kut etc. are some of the festivals celebrated in Manipur.

Ningol Chakouba is one of the major festivals in Manipur and is a social festival of the Meities where the women are invited to a feast at their parental house.

Yaoshang or Holi is another major festival of Manipur and is celebrated for five days starting from the full moon of Phalguna.

Ramjan Id, Cheiraoba and Christmas are some of the other important festivals celebrated in Manipur. Cheirouba is a New Year celebration of the Manipuri’s and is celebrated with much gaiety and enthusiasm. Besides, Kut is an important harvest festival of Manipuris

Cheiraoba Festival

On the lap of Himalaya lies a picturesque state named Manipur. This state is famous for its scenic beauty, silent hills and green vegetation. The state is an isolated land from the main land yet it bears a rich heritage and culture. Manipur , the small state in north eastern part of India is the store house natural resources. The solitary hills of Himalaya, the deep gorge and the innocent people make a perfect combination as a tourist spot. Tourists visiting Manipur will surely get impressed with their traditional customs and heritage which still shows their individuality and uniqueness.

Description of Cheiraoba Festival:

Manipur, the small hilly state with a unique customs attracts tourist. Cheiraoba Festival is the celebration of New Year festival in Manipur. This is a sacred festival of Manipur when all the people welcome the new year grandly. The locals clean their houses and decorate them. The local deity is worshipped and relatives visit one another’s place. Exchange of gifts and ideas take place. This festival is only celebrated by Hindus but Muslims of Manipur too take part and make the occasion a grand one. On the very day the local climb the nearest hill tops which signifies the rise of human civilization in greater heights in every sphere.

Time For Celebration of Cheiraoba Festival:

Cheiraoba Festival takes place in the month of April. The new year is received with great ideas and traditional customs. The society of Manipur is not at all open but tourist visit the state to experience the unique tradition that exists in the society and customs.

Chumpha Festival

Manipur, the land of merriment, is always busy with one festival or the other throughout the year. Different cultures and races in Manipur have different festivals to celebrate and each is rejoiced with an equal passion and zeal. It is the Tanghul Nagas of Manipur who celebrate the Chumpha Festival, one of their most popular and fêted festivals. The Chumpha Festival in Manipur is a harvest festival and is held with a lot of rejoicing and merriment.

Description of Chumpha Festival in Manipur

It is every year after the harvest in December that the Tanghul Nagas celebrate the Chumpha Festival in Manipur. During the last three days of the Chumpha Festival, there are social gatherings that are held between friends and families and everyone rejoices and has a great time. The women have a special and a significant role to play during the Chumpha Festival in Manipur. This is in contrast to the other festivals here where women have the least participation. The end of the Chumpha Festival in Manipur is marked by a procession that is carried out within the village premises.

Time for celebrating Chumpha Festival in Manipur

The Chumpha Festival in Manipur is celebrated in the end of the year, in the month of December.

Gang Ngai Festival

Manipur, in the northeast part of India, is the home to a complex web of tribal groups which comprises of as many as 29 different major tribes. The different groups of Nagas in Manipur celebrate their culture and customs through different festivals. These festivals give the participating people a chance to be aware of the customs and religions of the diverse cultured sects of Manipur. The Gang-Ngai Festival in Manipur is a significant festival of the Kabui Nagas. All year through, the Kabui Nagas, a particular tribal group of Manipur, wait for this opportunity to rejoice their lifestyle, their culture and express their religion. They do it through the Gang-Ngai Festival, with music, dance, feast and five days of full extravaganza.

Description of Gang Ngai Festival in Manipur

The festival of gang-Ngai starts with the omen taking ceremony. During the fist day of this five day festival, the Kabui Nagas honor their ancestors through sacred rituals. The first day is followed by four days of incessant celebrations. There are community feasts, various programs of music and dance performances that keep the audience mesmerized for a long time. It is through this festival of Gang-Ngai in Manipur that the Kabui Nagas get a chance to conserve and safeguard their religion. The streets full of men and women dancing in their colorful traditional attires, to the tunes of melodious ethic instruments, surrounded by enthusiastic audiences, presents a pretty sight in Manipur. There is also an exchange of gifts between friends and family during the Gang-Ngai Festival in Manipur.

Time for celebrating Gang Ngai Festival in Manipur

The Gang-Ngai Festival in Manipur is celebrated in the month of Wakching which generally falls on the months of December of January. The celebrations continue for five days.

Heikru Hidongba

The Heikru Hidongba in Manipur is the annual function that takes place on the canal in the Bijoy Govinda area on eleventh Langban. It is the boat race in Manipur that is closely related to the Govindajee Temple. The deities from the temple and the palace are made to supervise the race. This festival in Manipur is thus a festival of joy with a little religious significance and is widely celebrated every year with a lot of passion.

Description of Heikru Hidongba

The Heikru Hitongba Festival in Manipur is celebrated with a boat race that takes place on the canal. Narrow long boats are used for the race which accommodates a large number of rowers. The race takes place on a 16 meter wide canal in Manipur. Before the beginning of the boat race, the idol of Shri Vishnu is installed who is supposed to preside over the function of Heikru Hitongba. The Brahmins give offerings of gold and silver before the presiding deities and idols. The spirits of the crew men are high during the Heikry Hitongba festival and each boat sailed by a number of rowers try their best to overthrow the other boat with a lot of vigor.

Time for celebrating Heikru Hidongba

The month of September is the time for celebrating the Heikru Hidongba.