Manipur is not only the gateway to the
North-Eastern Region but also a fascinating destination
for discerning tourists. Legends say that discovery of
Manipur is the result of the delight the God took in
dancing. It is this remarkable bid that gives Manipur a
unique identity of her own. Blessed with a salubrious
climate, famous for its distinctive cultural pattern and
its evergreen scenic beauty, extend the tourists a
cordial invitation to visit Manipur.
- Shree Shree Govindajee Temple
- Kaina - The sacred place of Hindu
- Khwairamband Keithel(Bazaar)
- Manipur Zoological Garden
- Loktak Lake of Manipur
- War Cemetries
- Langthabal
- Moirang
- Moreh
- Singda
- Phubala
- Khongjom
- Sahid Minar
- Manipur State Museum
- Khonghampat Orchidarium
- Andro - The Ancient Village
- KeibulLamjao - the National Park
- Sekta-Archaeological living Museum
Shree Shree Govindajee Temple
The presiding deity in the centre is flanked by idols of Radha Govinda,
Balaram and Krishna on one side and Jagannath, Balabhadra and
Subhadra on the other.
Kaina - The scared place of Hindus
29 kms. from Imphal. A beautiful hillock, about 921 m. above sea level, Kaina is a sacred
place of Hindus. According to legend, Shri Govindajee appeared to His devotee
Bheigyachandra, Maharaja of Manipur, in a dream and asked him to build a temple
enshrined with His image carved out of a jackfruit tree which was then growing at Kaina.
Beautiful hill shrubs and charming natural surroundings give the place a saintly solemnity.
Ceremonial dances depicting the devine dream are performed as Ras at the Mandop. Kaina
can be reached by bus via Thoubal also
Khwairamband Bazaar
This is a large covered market split into two sections on both sides of the Khwairamband
Road. Vegetables, fishes, household utensils & implements and fruits are sold on one side
and colourful handloom shawls, phaneks, khudeis, bedsheets on the other. The market is
very special in the sense that all the stall holders are women. Not far from here, is a street
where beautiful cane baskets and furniture are sold. Other smaller markets are Singjamei,
Kongba, Lamlong, Kwakeithel, Heirangkhoithong, Terakeithel, Naoremthong etc
Manipur Zoological Garden
About 6 km. from Imphal, towards the west, in this Zoological Garden at Iroishemba on the
Imphal Kangchup Road. Graceful brow-antlered deer, "Sangai" one of the rarest species in
the world, can be seen here in sylvan surroundings. A trip to this garden, at the foot of the
pine-growing hillocks in the westernmost corner of Lamphelpat is really enjoyable.
Loktak Lake and Sendra Island
They cast their nets on it, rear fish farms in it using nets as floating walls, harvest it
for the water chestnut known as Heikak, and even build their houses on the islands
of floating weed that dart around the lake. There are buses and cycle rickshaws to
cover the last 3 km. to Sendra. The Tourist Home charges Rs. 10 per bed.
War Cemetries
The British and the Indian Army Cemeteries commemorating those who died in the Second
World War are serene well-maintained with little stone markers and bronze plaques
recording their anguish and sacrifice. These graves are maintained by the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission.
Langthabal
8 km. from Imphal on the Indo-Burma Road lies this small hill feature with the relics of an
old historic palace, well-planned temples and ceremonial houses amidst pine and jackfruit
trees planted symmetrically. Overlooking the Manipur University, Canchipur, it offers a
pleasant view of the surroundings.
Moirang
There is an INA Museum exhibiting letters, photographs, badges of ranks and
other articles associated with this movement. There is also a bronze statue of
Netaji in uniform. There are buses which operate from private bus station of
Waheng Leikai junction to Moirang from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fare: Rs. 10/- .
Journey time is around 1 hr.
Moreh
110 km. from Imphal. This border town is located on the Indo-Burma Road. A commercial
town attracting a large number of people from neighbouring places. It is only 5 km. from
tamu town, its Burmese counterpart. Tamu depicts a total change in the attire and eating
habits of the people and in the architecture of its buildings.
Singda
At an altitude of 921 m., 16 km. from Imphal to the west is a hill resort on the hills
overlooking Manipur Valley. The scenery is picturesque. It is also a mountain pass on the
road to Tamenglong. There is an inspection Bungalow here. There is a nice artificial lake
called Singda Dam. It is now a multipurpose project.
Phubala
40 km. from Imphal. A charming resort on the western fringes of the Loktak Lake, to the
south of Imphal. It is joined to the mainland by a low causeway.
Khongjom
36 km. from Imphal. Situated on the Indo-Burma Road, this is a place of greatest historic
importance. It was here that Major General Paona Brajabashi, one of the great warriors of
Manipur, proved his velour against the superior force of the invading British Army in 1891.
The hillock of the foot of which he laid down his life in defence of his motherland, is
reminiscent of the past heroic deeds of Manipuri warriors. A war memorial on the top of
this scenic hill feature, adds charm to this heroic site. Khongjom day is celebrated as a State
Holiday on every year on April 23.
Sahid Minar
This tall Minar of Bir Tikendrajit Park in the heart of the capital commemorates the
indomitable spirit of Manipur martyrs who sacrificed their lives while fighting against the
British in 1891.
Manipur State Museum
This interesting museum near the Pologround has fairly good display of Manipur's heritage
and a collection of portraits of Manipur's former rulers. Items of special interest are
costumes, arms and weapons, relics and historical documents.
Khonghampat Orchidarium
The Orchid Yard of the Forest Department, on National Highway No 39, about 7 km. from
Imphal is another place of interest. More than 110 varieties of Orchids, including several
rare species, are grown here. Peak season is April-May.
ANDRO - the ancient village
27 km towards east of Imphal is the ancient Scheduled Caste village of Andro, there is one
Cultural Complex established by the Mutua Museum, Imphal. It consists of potteries of the
North Eastern Region of India. There is a 'Doll-House' where dolls of 29 recognised tribes
of Manipur (both male and female) are in display.
Keibul Lamjao National Park
53 kms. from Imphal and on the fringes of Loktak Lake, this is the last natural habitat of the
marsh-dwelling brow-antlered deer of Manipur called "Sangai".
Sekta - Archeological Living Museum
Sekta Mound locally known as the "SEKTA KEI" is a protected Archaeological Site. The
site is located at Sekta village, about 16 km. from Imphal on the Imphal-Ukhrul Road. It is a
site where practice of secondary burial was discovered. The site was jointly excavated by
the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Archaeology, Manipur and is preserved as
a Living Museum.
This temple adjoining the palace of the former rulers of Manipur, is a historic centre for
Vaisnavites. It is a simple and beautiful structure with gold domes, a paved court and a
large, raised congregation hall.
Director of Tourism,
Govt. of Manipur, Imphal.
Telephone: 0385-220802
48 km. from Imphal. A huge and beautiful stretch of water, this lake is like a miniature
inland sea. From the Tourist Bungalow, set atop Sendra island, visitors can get a bird's eye
view of the lake and the life on it, the fisherman and their families who live in neat huts on
its shores and who make full use of their watery environment.
Reservation
Director of Tourism,
Govt. of Manipur, Imphal.
Telephone: 0385-220802
45 km. from Imphal, Moirang holds an ancient temple of the pre-Hindu deity, Lord
Thangjing. Every May, men and women, in gorgeous traditional costumes, sing and dance in
honour of the Lord here at the Moirang Lai Haraoba. It was from the village of Moirang,
too, that the graceful Khamba-Thoibi dance originated, traditionally celebrated in May. It
was in Moirang that the flag of the Indian National Army was first hoisted on Indian soil on
April 14, 1944.
Accommodation
Tourist Bungalow
Reservation
Director of Tourism,
Govt. of Manipur, Imphal.
Telephone: 0385-220802
Open : 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Sunday and Holidays closed.
Entrance : Adult 25 p. Child 10 p.
Manipur
