Manipur: Jewelled Town

The word Manipur literally means a 'jewelled 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. Manipur is one of the best places to visit in India and considered to be a paradise for the flora and fauna lover. Nature lovers can visit the largest freshwater lake in the country. With sites like the Loktak Lake and the Khonghampat Orchidarium, Manipur is also famous for its natural beauty.

Manipur is endowed with classical dance, luscious cuisines and traditional aura that surrounds like a lighted incense stick in sacred shrines. From the natural beauty of waterfalls to lakes and from streams to evergreen forests, the state has made itself a place that tourists cannot stop themselves from adoring. Being one of the must-visit tourist destinations in India, the state has been thriving because of the abundant diversity.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Manipur is a beautiful state that saves its best for the winters. From October to March, Manipur opens its doors to cold, chilly winds and temperatures . During daytime, the state is bathed in weak and warm rays of sunshine. While summers are hot and humid. Moderate to heavy rainfall bathes the mountains during the monsoon season and the state is lovely to witness in all its green glory.

HOW TO REACH

By Road: travelling to Manipur by road, your best bet is the route alongside NH2, from Nagaland, which connects Kohima to Imphal. You can also reach Manipur by road via Silchar in Assam. Many state tourist buses are available from neighbouring areas like Aizwal, Itanagar, Kohima, Dimapur, Shilling and more.

By Rail: tourists take a train to the closest station to Imphal, which is Dimapur in Nagaland. From Dimapur, daily buses take tourists to Manipur via National Highway 39 – travelling a distance of approximately 215 kilometres. Dimapur station is open to trains from many cities in the country.

By Air: Manipur’s airport is approximately 8 kilometres away from the main city of Imphal. The airport is well connected to the major cities in the county like Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata. Most major carriers in the country fly to this airport. The closest international airport, however, is in Kolkata. Outside the airport, there are many prepaid and private taxis.

PLACES TO VISIT IN MANIPUR

The tourists will have a number of places to visit and things to do in Manipur including Imphal, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel. Also, tourists can get indulged in various activities like Boating in Loktak Lake in Imphal, Shop in the Tamu International Market in Moreh, a visit to the Keibul Lamjao National Park in Bishnupur which is yet another point of tourist interest considered to be the only floating national park in the world.

IMPHAL

Imphal, the capital of Manipur, is a scenic city. It is located at the center of the beautiful Manipur valley and is surrounded by plains and hills. Dense forests and sprawling grasslands make the place a heaven on earth. It reflects the rich tradition of the state.

HERE ARE THE LEADING TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN IMPHAL.

• Loktak Lake Floating Lake of Imphal

The lake, serene, blue and beautiful, is a natural tourist destination when you visit Manipur. It is also the largest freshwater lake in the Northeast. What makes this lake unique is the presence of phumdis – masses of organic matter that float on the surface of the lake, forming shallow islands. The sheer beauty of Loktak Lake is a sight for sore eyes and the best time to visit this tourist spot in Imphal is during the winter months when the “dancing deer” can be spotted near the lake. Besides this, tourists can also spot beautiful migratory birds, unique flora and fauna in this region.

• Red Hill Lokpaching

Having its own historical uniqueness, the Red Hill Lokpachingis located on Tiddim Road and is a site where British and Japanese fought a battle during World War II. Visiting the place, it takes one to the time when the British brutally ruled over India, but along with it you can even get the rising sense of unity and strength that people had within them until India became free in the year 1947. A visit to Red Hill Lokpachingwould be an ideal choice as it wouldn’t be something that is beautiful but a moment that would make you relive the historic past and develop a sense of patriotism and a unique feeling that cannot be expressed in words.

• Kangla Fort

If you are a history buff, you should definitely explore the celebrated Kangla Fort. An ancient capital and home to Manipur’s rich culture, Kangla boasts of a splendid history. Take a stroll around the ruins, admire the royal palace, or sit by its serene artificial lake, Kangla Fort is sure to enchant you with its magnificent architecture.

• Sirohi National Park

Covering a mere 41 square kilometer, India’s smallest forest reserve, Sirohi National Park earned the status of National Park in 1982. Being a hilly terrain and with many valleys, the views of the park are breathtaking. The park is home to a wide range of wildlife including tiger, leopard and wild boar. It has a stunning range of flowers too among them Sirohi Lily is unique as it grows only here.

• Manipur State Museum

Manipur State Museum is not just a museum that displays its collections but promotes awareness of the culture and the importance of biological specimen through various programs. The museum was inaugurated in 1969 by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India. While the collections in its gallery sections namely Natural History, Archaeology, Painting and Children’s Gallery are amazing, its contributions to create awareness and interest in minds of people on the need to conserve wildlife and respect the rich culture of the land demand overwhelming appreciation. The programs conducted by the museum are many and hence it deserves a special place for its contribution.

• Keibul Lam Jao National Park

Located on the Loktak Lake, this is the only floating National Park in the entire world. This is the only habitat that hosts the “Sangai”, the dancing deer of Manipur. Other wildlife here consists of Otters, Hog deer and certain migratory bird.

The brow-antlered deer, or sangai, is the state animal. The word is ubiquitous—it can be found on shop signage, cafés, clubs, a regional daily newspaper, even at an annual tourism festival. “The sangai is an integral part of the sociocultural and economic life of the Manipuri people but ironically, the deer is not protected," says DinabandhuSahoo, director, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), department of biotechnology, Imphal.

• Shree Govindajee Temple

A Vaishnav temple dedicated to the lord Sri Sri Baikunth Nath for believing to give an eternal peace to the departed soul of Thounaojam Kunjakishwor Singh, lies on one of the prime location next to the Kangla fort. It has two gold plated domes, a paved court and two large congregation hall constructed back in 1846 during the reign of Maharaja Nara Singh and rebuilt again by Maharaja Chandrakriti in 1876.

• KHONGHAMPAT ORCHIDARIUM ( ORCHID HOUSE)

The paradise of Orchids, Khonghampat Orchidarium is the Orchid yard maintained by the Forest Department of Manipur. It is located on National Highway No.39 which is only 7 km from the capital city Imphal. Here the colourful flowers are waiting to greet you with sweet fragrance and wonderful views. A visit to KhonghampatOrchidarium is a trip to a different world altogether. This place is dotted with more than 110 varieties of orchids, including several rare species. The best time to visit this place is from April to May. An interesting thing about this place is that some of the orchids grown here have been fashioned by nature to resemble creatures like lizards, moths and bees. One of the most unique places to visit in Imphal is the Khonghampat Orchidarium located on National Highway 39. With more 120 varieties of orchids at this garden, no tourist can forget the picturesque views of this place. For those interested in learning about orchid varieties, Cattleya happens to be the most exotic on here. Couples who are on their honeymoon trip in Manipur must visit this garden as it is renowned to be a very romantic place.

• IMA KEITHEL MARKET, IMPHAL

This market whose origins dates back to the 16th century is run by married Manipuri women. This market specially favors the women as the stalls or the shop gets on to the next generation of Manipuri women. It deals with all kinds of households items and textiles to different handicrafts. This market of matriarchs is flourishing even in supplying different types of food ranging from authentic food to local groceries. This market in Imphal has a different vibes of historic and cultural heritage of Manipur.

UKHRUL

Ukhrul, a picturesque city is a visual delight. You will be mesmerized by the beautiful -valleys, hills, waterfalls and streams. Ukhrul is one of the sixteen districts of Manipur and famous for its hills and picturesque view. The hills are also renowned for Shirui lily, the state flower of Manipur, and grows in abundance. A trek to Shirui Peak covered will Lilly flower is all a traveler wants while visiting any destination. Shirui Festival is celebrated in Ukhrul in the month of September-October, and if you are visiting Ukhrul, you can see the Shirui Lily blooming atop Shirui Hills. The road leading to Ukhrul is not in good shape and requires four hours to cover a mear distance of 80 kilometers. Yet all the pain endured during the drive is worths the town has a lot to offer to travelers, especially to the nature lovers. There are limited accommodations available in Ukhrul, and mostly homestay facilities are available.

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR:

The nearest Airport is Imphal International Airport, Tulihal, Imphal at an approximate distance of 105 km. Form there hire private cars or public bus can reach Ukhrul town which in general takes an average journey time of about 3-4 hours.

BY RAILWAY :

The nearest railway station to Ukhrul is located in Dimapur (Nagaland) at an approximate distance of 314 km. The station is the major rail head that serves both the states of Nagaland and Manipur. Once you arrive at the station, you can hire taxi and drive way to your destination in Ukhrul. The road trip from Dimapur to Ukhrul usually takes 9-10 hours.

BY ROAD

Tourists planning to Visit Ukhrul by bus needs to travel to Imphal by taking either the air or railway means of transport. Arriving Imphal, one can either take the taxi or rent a car to drive to Ukhrul which is approx 3-4 hours of journey.

Given below are some top destinations in Ukhrul

KHAYANG PEAK

The more popularly know peak is the Shirui Kashung Peak – 2835 m from the sea level. Most of the major rivers originate from the crevices and slopes of this Shirui Peak. Shirui is 18 km from Ukhrul Town and 97 km from Imphal. It is the home of world famous Shirui (Siroy) Lily (Lilium Mackliniae).The name Shirui Lily originates from a British Botanist named F. Kingdom Ward who in 1948 discovered the uniqueness of this lily flower. The local name of the flower is Kashong Timrawon. According to local legends the Kashong Timrawon is also a protective spirit which resides on the Shirui Peak. Every year thousand of Scientists and Tourists all over the World come to see this precious flower. The ordinary looking Shirui lily blossoms on the hilltop during May – June.

SHIRUI KASHUNG PEAK

Located in Ukhrul district of Manipur, the peak lies at an altitude of 2835m above the sea level. The trek might be tiring but the view one gets on reaching the top is abundant. The peak is famous for the river flowing across Ukhrul and the beautiful Shirui lilies that grow here.

The more popularly know peak is the Shirui Kashung Peak – 2835 m from the sea level. Most of the major rivers originate from the crevices and slopes of this Shirui Peak. Shirui is 18 km from Ukhrul Town and 97 km from Imphal. It is the home of world famous Shirui (Siroy) Lily (Lilium Mackliniae).The name Shirui Lily originates from a British Botanist named F. Kingdom Ward who in 1948 discovered the uniqueness of this lily flower. The local name of the flower is Kashong Timrawon. According to local legends the Kashong Timrawon is also a protective spirit which resides on the Shirui Peak. Every year thousand of Scientists and Tourists all over the World come to see this precious flower. The ordinary looking Shirui lily blossoms on the hilltop during May – June.

KACHOUPHUNG LAKE

The Kachouphung Lake is bound by several hillocks on all sides heightening the beauty of the place. The lake has tremendous potential to attract tourists. Many colourful fish live on the lake thus increasing the scope for pisciculture too.

The lake is also called Azoa Jenephiu Magi Lake of Ukhrul. The Kachouphung Lake is an ideal location to spend a day amidst fresh water and beautiful hillocks all around. Climbing the small knolls can be quite an exciting exercise too.

• KHANGKHUI CAVE

The Khangkhui Cave, locally called as Khangkhui Mangsor, is essentially a natural limestone cave. Archaeologists have discovered many important artefacts, dating back to the Palaeolithic culture from this cave. The cave is about 15 km away on eastern side from Ukhrul town. The cave was used as a shelter by the local people during World War II.

HUNDUNG MANGVA CAVE

The Mova cave is a limestone cave which can be reached after a detour before reaching Ukhrul. It is situated near the now-defunct cement factory and Lungshang Kong/river in a small hamlet called Hungpung. The main hall of the cave can assemble over 100 odd people. Some distance from the cave is a steep solid rock mountain which is believed to be the male partner of the cave, according to the local myth.

• NILLAI TEA ESTATE

Another marvellous place to visit in Ukhrul is the Nillai tea estate. This is a place where green tea is grown. The tea grown here is hand-plucked and sun-dried. It enriches the medicinal qualities of the leaves. The special feature of these leaves is that the right flavour comes only when they are boiled the second time! Apart from the unique features, the greenery seen here is definitely a treat to one’s eyes. Seeing so much of lushness will surely make your heart feel good and the neat rows of tea plants will make you never want to leave the place.

THOUBAL

Thoubal is yet another picturesque destination in Manipur. Situated amidst hills, the place is perfect for trekking and hiking. Lush greenery, beautiful rivers and lakes make the place a perfect destination for outdoor activities. The local people here enhance the greenery here by planting banyan trees along roadsides and fruit bearing trees in the grounds of their homes.

HOW TO REACH

By Road:-

National Highway 102 passes through Thoubal connecting it to all the important centres of Manipur and India. Additionally the Imphal-Moreh Road also connects Thoubal to other parts via NH 39 and NH 53. Apart from state transport buses, private taxis also ply on this route and can easily be availed by tourists.

By Rail:-

Manipur doesnot have a railhead. Thus, the nearest railway station to Thoubal is in Dimapur located 230 kilometres away.

By Air:-

The nearest Airport is The Tulihal Airport or the Imphal Airport is also called Bir Tikendrajit International. Tourists will have to board a stop over flight to Guwahati from Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore to reach Imphal. The Imphal Airport is 30 kilometres away from Thoubal.

Here are some top destinations in Thoubal.

• WAITHOU LAKE

The Waithou Lake makes Waithou an interesting visit in the Thoubal District. The Waithou Lake magnifies the scenic beauty of the place.

The lake lies in the northern part of the district and has been formed by the drained water getting collected that comes from the Waithou hill and the many paddy fields on the west and east. It is located 16 km from Imphal on the Imphal-Myanmar road and only about 3 km from Thoubal district headquarters.

Earlier the Waithou Lake was the breeding ground for the endangered fish species called ‘Ngaton’.

• PEOPLE’S MUSEUM

The People’s Museum is located in Kakching town and displays the artwork of the state like pottery, basketry, fossils and musical instruments. The museum also dawns the traditional attires of the local kings and tribe chiefs.

• KHONGJOM WAR MEMORIAL COMPLEX

The complex holds a very significant place in the history of Manipur. This is the site where Major Paona Brajabasi along with his soldiers and many other freedom fighters had fought against the British invasion which unfortunately ended in complete British control over Manipur

SENAPATI

Senapati is one of the places in Manipur that preserves its natural beauty with some of its parts still unexplored. It seems the land is specially favored by nature. Hills, streams, gorges and rivers, you just name it, the land has it. With 80% of the land covered by dense forests, you can naturally expect it to possess a wide range of plants and animals.

How to Reach Senapati

Air

Nearest airport to Senapati is Imphal Tulihal Airport. And next Airport is Dimapur Airport.

Rail

Nearest Railway station is Dimapur town of Nagaland. Another railhead is Jiribam, a small town in Manipur 225 kms from Imphal.

Road

Senapati is connected by road with Guwahati (Assam) and Dimapur(Nagaland) through National Highway No. 2. And people can visit from Imphal by daily bus services from Imphal to senapati to and fro through the same NH 2.It is about 62km. from Imphal.

Given below are some top destinations in Senapati.

• MAO

The town of Mao is of immense significance to the state of Manipur as it serves as the gateway to the state. The town is located at a distance 45 kilometres from the town of Senapati along the National Highway 39 which is considered to be the lifeline of Manipur. Often termed as the ‘Mao Gate’ this town opens the district of Senapati and state to the rest of the country. This town is one of the busiest commercial destinations in the state as most of the trade routes into Manipur lead thorough this town. The multi cultural town boats of people from all across Manipur and neighbouring states of Nagaland. The town also serves as the granary to the nearby villages and towns in Manipur. Here, tourists will also get a chance to shop for goods from different countries of South East Asia with goods from Myanmar attracting a large number of buyers.

• YANGKHULLEN

Located 75 km from Senapati town, Yangkhullen is the largest Zemei village in Manipur. It is situated amidst a steep cliff of beautiful landscape. Surrounded by natural beauty, holding the strong historical past and tradition, Yangkhullen is a mesmerizing place to walk around and to find a stress-busting kinda peace. The whole area is surrounded by valleys with enthralling sights that are a treat to eyes.

The serene natural beauty and attractions of this place speak about its culturally vibrant past and traditions. Apart from natural scenery, this place is home to several rare floral species that are found nowhere else. After visiting this place, you will be amazed to see centuries-old traditions still observed by locals in this area.

• DZUKO VALLEY

Situated at an altitude of 2483 mts above the sea level this place offers a panoramic view of the mountains. Wild flowers and clear mountain streams add to the heavenly feel of this place. The mountain steam also offers nourishment to all the tourists who visit this place. A very special landscape shared between Manipur and Nagaland, with trek routes from both sides. While winter is the ideal trekking season, the rare and endemic Dzukoulily attracts many visitors in July during flowering season.

• PURUL

Purul is located at a distance of about 50 km from the town of Senapati and serves as an important tourist attraction in the district. You will get to witness the rich and vibrant tradition of Manipur in this village. The drive to this village will take you though some of the scenic places in the entire district which you shall cherish for a lifetime.

It is the home of indigenous games toutou and wrestling. People from around the country come to this place to witness these traditional games. While toutou is played during New Year, villagers, on the eve of Paoki, the paddy transplantation festival, celebrated on the first fortnight of May, engage in wrestling. Apart from this you should also take a look at women of the village displaying traditional ways of extracting fibre for weaving clothes from plants.

• LIYAI KHULLEN

Located 80km from Senapati town, this khullen (village) is home to various historical places. Liyai Khullen literally translates to “People of the Sea” in the local dialect. It is an old village and has a long history of more than 500 years.

Lush green plants, majestic hilltops, and serene rivers are the major tourist attractions of this place. Some other notable places to visit are the Stone Monoliths, Water pools, Ban yan trees, and Male house & female house.

Also, the river Barak originates from this town. You can experience the sunset from that point. It will be a memorable moment.

• MAKHEL CAVE

It is believed that the Naga community originated here and then migrated to other places. You will get to see Banyan trees all over the place. These trees are considered very sacred to the Naga community as they believe that the trees emerged from the tomb of Naga’s mother.

Other notable places to visit around these caves are the Dispersal tree at Shajouba (2 km north of Makhel), the Farewell Monolith, the Triomonolith (3km south of Makhel), the Hailstorm of Stone, and the Lucky Stone.

• SADU CHIRU WATERFALLS

The waterfalls are located in Senapati, about 25 kms away from the capital city of Imphal. The exquisite view of the waterfalls is a delight to the eyes and the soul. The route to the falls passes through lush forests and stone steps. the place is reported to have three scenic waterfalls, only the nearest to the foothills have been made accessible to the public. The ‘Leimaram Falls’, since being opened as a tourist spot, has become a popular picnic destination for tourists and local populace alike. The falls is located a short distance away from Imphal, the capital town of Manipur, with only a road distance of about 23 kilometres from the town.

CHANDEL

Chandel is the gateway to Myanmar. The major tourist places in Manipur also include chandel city which is located in the heart of the border of India and Myanmar. The tourist spot is located at a distance of about 64 kms from Imphal. Chandela is a centre of attraction for tourists because of its beauty as well as its culture. The tourists who come to Chandel like the dance and music so much that they are not able to forget this unique scene.

HOW TO REACH CHANDEL:

By Air: The closest airport to reach Chandel is the Imphal Airport, which is near about 49 km from this picturesque little town.

By Rail: Chandel does not have a railway station of its own. However, the Dimapur Railway Station, in Nagaland, located at a distance of 178 km, is well-connected with Chandel. The station is frequented by trains from the various major rail routes of the country.

By Road: Chandel is well connected to cities around its vicinity, through the roadways. Chandel is easily accessible through the roadways as the Chandel bus station is located right at the heart of the town.

Here is some places to visit in chandel.

• MOREH

Moreh is the frontier town of Manipur, half of India, half in Myanmar. It can be transported on foot to the town of Tamu in Myanmar. A pass is issued with a fixed fee to go to Myanmar through which a few hours can be taken. Many people from this border come to India from Myanmar and Myanmar from India in connection with the trade. Both Tamu and Moreh (moreh) are big markets where goods brought from Myanmar as well as Thailand and China are available at reasonable prices. The Indian rupee also runs in these markets. Here, many people speak and understand Hindi.

• YANGOUPOKPI-LOKCHAO WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary is one among the nine Important Bird Areas (IBA) identified in Manipur. Very little is known about the Sanctuary and its wildlife as most people in Manipur only recognize Moreh and not the adjoining Sanctuary which falls in the Eastern Himalayan Endemic Bird area famous for harboring some of the rare and restricted bird species found nowhere else in the world. This part of Himalayas is particularly rich in endemic bird species such as of the genus Sphenocichla (Babblers) etc. The Yangoupokpi-LokchaoWildlife Sanctuary was founded in 1989 on the Indo-Myanmar border in the district of Chandel, which stands stretched over an area of around 185 sq km. There are 6 species of amphibians, 29 kinds of reptiles, 42 species of mammalians, 74 types of birds and 86 species of fish in this sanctuary.

Some animals that are found in this sanctuary are the Hoolock Gibbon, which is the only variety of ape seen in India, Himalayan black bear, stumped tailed macaque, slow loris, wild bear, pig tailed macaque, Indian civet cat, golden cat and many more.

• TENGNOUPAL

Tengnoupal is a hill station in Manipur which is engirdled by the imposing mountains and blessed by the beautiful meadows and valleys. Tengnoupal is a perfect tourist attraction in Manipur to adore the enduring natural beauty and spend some day in the lap of the mother nature. From this hill town, one can savour the exotic vistas of the entire Manipur Valley that makes it one of the top tourism places in Chandel district. Apart from proffering a bird’s eye view of the valley, the town of Tengnoupal is also very much famed as a popular excursion site in Chandel district. Besides, this beautiful town is often touted as the synonym of scenic beauty, and thus, apart from the lush green meadows and gorgeous valleys, you can also expect to treat your eyes with some alluring views of serene lakes.

TAMENGLONG

Very much like Chandel, Tamenglong, popularly referred to as the ‘Land of Hornbill’ is rich in flora and fauna. Unexplored forests, rare species of plants, animals and birds, the land is sure to captivate your soul. With lakes, rivers and waterfalls, Tamenglong makes a perfect dream spot.

How to Reach Tamenglong

By Road

National Highway 53 and National Highway 39 connect Manipur to the rest of the country. To reach Tamenglong, tourists will need to travel on NH53 via the Old Cachar Road and the TamenglongKhongsang Road. The state highways also reach Tamenglong from Imphal and are served by the state transport buses.

By Train

Since Manipur doesn’t have a railhead, the nearest railway station is at Dimapur. To reach Tamenglong, tourists will need to break the journey via Imphal. Dimapur is 215 kilometres from Imphal. Add another 158 kilometres to reach Tamenglong. There are regular vehicles available from both Imphal and Dimapur to reach Tamenglong.

By Air

The Imphal Airport is the nearest airhead to Tamenglong. Imphal is 158 kilometres from Tamenglong while the airport is situated 8 kilometres from the capital city. The Imphal airport is well connected to the rest of the country on a daily basis. From the airport shuttle vehicles can be easily availed to reach Tamenglong.Here are the leading destinations you should not miss on your tour to Tamenglong.

• ZEILAD LAKE

This lake is actually quite popular for its enchanting beauty, and for the adventure seekers, this destination is a paradise. Here you will be finding a very wide variety of aquatic animals along with the migratory birds. So, for the sake of capturing nature through your lens, don’t forget to take your camera here as well

• ZEILAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The significance of the Zeilad forest having seven lakes, the presence of around 15 various species of fish, and being the abode of migratory birds, including Amur Falcon, different flora and fauna and the seven-step Barak waterfall prompted the proposal to declare it as a wildlife sanctuary, the notification stated. The forest is home to tiger, leopard, leopard cat, small Indian Civet, Common Langur, Hoolock gibbon, great Indian hornbill, barking deer, flying squirrel, slow loris, golden cat, yellow throated marten, large Indian civet cat, hog badger, bear, serow and sambar among others.

• THARON CAVE

One of the major attractions in Manipur, Tharon Cave is frequently visited by locals and tourists alike. As you enter this 650m long cave tunnel, you will see carvings, and excavations of Hovnanian Culture of Vietnam. If you love a bit of adventure and enjoy trekking, this cave is apt for you! Before visiting, do check the website for Manipur State Tourism Department, which organizes cave expeditions every year, where visitors enjoy the thrill of walking through the long tunnel!

• Buning Meadow

CHURACHANDPUR

Churachandpur fits the bill perfectly as a district in Manipur. Like every part of Manipur, Churachandpur abounds in natural beauty. Located amidst hillocks and valleys, the place is a scenic delight. It is also the second largest town in the state. The land boasts of unity in rich cultural diversity. Boat riding facilities are available at Tipaimukh.

HOW TO REACH

Air: Nearest airport to Churachandpur is Imphal Tulihal International Airport. And next Airport is Dimapur Airport.

Rail: Nearest Railway station is Dimapur town of Nagaland. Another railhead is Jiribam town of Manipur which is 225Km from Imphal.

Road: Churachandpur is connected by road with Guwahati (Assam) and Dimapur(Nagaland) through National Highway No. 2 and NH 150/Tiddim Road from Imphal. Churachandpur is also connected to Mizoram through NH 150. And people can visit from Imphal by daily Passenger services from Imphal to Churachandpur to and fro at NH 150/Tiddim Road. It is about 64Km. from Impha

Here are the important tourist spots in Churachandpur.

• NGALOI FALLS

Ngaloi is a small village located at a distance of 9 km from Churachandpur. Its original name is Ngaloimoul. It is a popular tourist attraction because of the Ngaloi Waterfall. The low lyingmountains and the greenery provide the perfect background for the magnificent cascading waterfall. The white foamy water gushing down the dark rocks is accompanied with the cool breeze of the mountains.

• TUIBUONG TRIBAL MUSEUM

Tribal museum is a place for people who are interested in the history of this town at Hill Town. It gives them a detailed knowledge of the early human settlements and the tribal lifestyle of the people of this region. Though it is not a very huge museum, it has a decent collection of antiques that once belonged to the traditional tribal people. These include the tribal costumes, religious accessories, cane and bamboo crafts and many other cultural artifacts. The museum also has a wide variety of old ornaments and weapons.

• TONGLON CAVE

The state of Manipur is known for its natural attractions as well as the caves. As might be known to many people, it has an array of historic caves that not only serve as tourist attractions but also as an important link for the archaeologists to trace back the history of the region. Tonglon caves of Singngat sub-division are the most famous caves of Churachandpur. They are regarded as one of the best cultural and historical highlights of the town. The carvings and sculptures present at these caves give one a good insight of the early settlements. The scripts and engravings found here helped many historians to understand about the past of Manipur.

• KHUGA DAM

Khuga dam is a recently built dam located near the town of Churachandpur. It is located to the south of this town. The construction had started in 1983 but the work was ignored for many years until 2002, when it was resumed. Finally, in 2010, Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the dam. However, it has not yet worked to its full capacity. This dam is 38 meters high and stretches over 230 meters. People visit this dam to enjoy and absorb the nature’s wonders. It is not just a popular tourist spot, but also a famous picnic spot for the locals.

BISHNUPUR

Considered a holy land thanks to the many temples located here, Bishnupur, is one of the most frequented cities in Manipur for both its natural beauty and places of worship. The Bishanupur in Manipur is the perfect place for you to roam every season. You can enjoy the dense forest and huge meadows here. This place is considered sacred because of temples and ancient relics.

How to reach

By Air

The nearest airport is Tulihal International Airport which is about 27 Kms from District Hq.

By Road

From Guwahati daily on the NH 27, NH 29 and NH 2 via Dimapur and Kohima many private buses available which is 491Kms from Imphal.

From Dimapur daily on the NH 2 via Kohima Manipur many private buses available which is 202 Kms from Imphal.

From Silchar daily on the NH 37 via Jiribam many private buses available which is 240 Kms from Imphal.

By Train

There is no direct train service to Imphal. But the nearest railway station is Dimapur (Nagaland) and Jiribam (Manipur).

Given below are the leading tourist attractions in Bishnupur.

• LOUKOIPAT ECOLOGICAL PARK

The Loukoipat Ecological Park in Bishnupur makes for a great stopover for those looking for natural beauty, flora and fauna and wildlife! Opt to either walk through the well-paved forest paths, sail on the calm waters of the lake situated in the park.

• RASMANCHA

Rasmancha was built by Malla King Bir Hambir in 1600 CE. The temple has a unique and unparalleled structure. This monument stands on a raised square laterite plinth with a pyramidal superstructure. The temple is surrounded by smaller Bengali-styled hut-like structures. The temple has one inner chamber housing the idols of Radha-Krishna. The inner sanctum of the temple is enclosed by three circumambulatory galleries which are surmounted by a colossal pyramidal structure. Further, these majestic pyramidal structures are embellished with exquisite terracotta work and motifs. It is enclosed by a passageway. There are some big cannons that date back to the Malla period.

• JOREBANGLA TEMPLE

The Jor Bangla Temple is famed for its opulent terracotta structure and delicate carvings on the walls. The carvings on the walls depict episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and other prominent holy Hindu scriptures. One can also see other paintings and sculptures include royal hunting sights, musicians and dancers. This temple attracts massive numbers of devotees along with a number of students and archaeologists, who are interested in ancient architecture.

• PANCHA RATANA TEMPLE

Popularly known as Pancha Ratna Temple, Shyam Rai Temple was built by King Raghunath Singha in the year 1643 AD. Like most of the temples in Bishnupur, this is also dedicated to Lord Krishna. Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, the temple is an example of the Pancha Ratna (Five gems) architecture and is surrounded by a beautiful garden. This is the most profusely carved temple in Bishnupur.

• SHYAMRAI TEMPLE

Shyamrai Temple is one of those numerous monuments and temples that was built by Raghunath Singha - Malla King. Because of the astonishing architecture, the temple has listed in the list of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Located in the Rajdarbar area of Bishnupur town, Shyamrai is a five-peaked shrine that displays the exquisite terracotta art. The walls of the temple are entirely etched with the terracotta work that makes Shyamrai Temple a must visit attraction in Bishnupur. These terracotta works depict the tales of Epic Mahabharata and Ramayana which is so surreal in itself. The way these sculptures are carved they seem so alive. Moreover, since it comes under the Archaeological Survey of India, the temple is well maintained and beautifully preserved for tourism. On a whole, Shyamrai Temple is probably the most compelling amongst its kinds in Bishnupur; it is imposing, intricate and full of historical tales.

• SIDDHESWAR TEMPLE

this beautiful Hindu temple in Bishnupur received a large number of devotees who come here to offer their homage to Lord Shiva. The idols of Lord Ganesha Jai Parshwanath and Goddess Durga are also installed in the temple. Traces its history from the Pala (medieval) period, the temple is reckoned amongst the highly revered religious places in Bishnupur. Moreover, in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March - April), a festival, Gajan, is celebrated in the temple on a grand scale. During this time, the temple is thronged with numerous visitors that come here from different corners of the country. Being more than thousand years old, the temple, at the southern end, still houses some scattered remains of dilapidated stupas.

• RADHA SHYAM TEMPLE

Radha Shyam Temple is dome-shaped and it lies within an enclosure which is surrounded by the boundary wall. Along with its high sacred significance, the temple is known for its aesthetic architecture which makes a popular tourist attraction in Bishnupur. Because of its historical significance and heritage value, the temple is well preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Enshrining the images of Lord Krishna and Radha in the sanctum, the Radha Shyam Temple is esteemed as the living shrine in the region. Along with the Radha and Shyam (Lord Krishna), the sanctum also includes the images of Nityananda and Chaitanya. In the temple vicinity, there is another shrine which houses the idols of Lord Jagannath of Puri and also Nityananda and Chaitanya.

• SRIDHARA TEMPLE

Situated in the vicinity of the Madanmohan Temple, SridharaTemple is another historical masterpiece in Bishnupur, Manipur. The temple is only of its kind in the region, and thus, boasts a perfect example of Nava-Ratna variety of architecture. The temple was built the locals and has nine spires which entirely is considered as a major feature of this beautiful Hindu shrine in Bishnupur. Along with that, the gorgeous carvings on the walls of the temple is something that fetches a lot of eyes. These carving depicts the scenes from the epic Ramayana and Mahabharata. Besides, the episodes of Krishna Leela can also be seen through some of these carvings while some also show foreign soldiers holding guns.