MANIPUR AS A TOURIST DESTINATION

Malsawm Kipgen

Cuddling inside a lush green corner of North East India lies a tiny Shangri La called Manipur. Literally which means - ‘A Jeweled Land’ this diminutive area is an authentic delight on the globe where Mother Nature has been unstinting in her gratuity. Blessed with a hygienic climate, famed for its all your own edifying prototype and its lush picturesque splendor, endow the tourists a temptation to stopover at Manipur.

Intact and purely untouched Manipur vows to be the grand discovery for the vacationers. An oval shaped dale surrounded by the God’s crafted green hills, prosperous in art and custom has stimulated similes as the "Switzerland of the East" with its garrulous torrents, beautiful blooming of one of the rarest flora on earth, lethargic lakes and nibbling rivers.

Manipur is a mini India. It is a land of diversity. From the smallest group Tarao tribe to the largest community Meitei, there is diversity in religion, food habits, gown and language. The beautiful thing about Manipur however though is that the indigenous people belong to Tibeto-Burman group which means they originated from the same place or are from the same ancestor. The dale state of Manipur is enclosed by Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south, Myanmar in the east and Cachar of Assam in the west.

Manipur offers the tourists or the nature lovers an awe striking sight which can keep one imagining. No precious thing comes in big package. Like a small diamond buried underneath, Manipur is a petite but priceless land on earth which remain unblemished and unearth.

Nature greets you if you are travelling to hill districts of Manipur. Ukhrul district is the land of the Tangkhul Nagas. The district headquarter is 85 km from the state capital Imphal. Ukhrul town is the highest as well as the most beautiful hill station of Manipur. It is a land of mountains combined by folksongs and instruments echoing with the rhythms of breeze and rich wild life. This virgin land has enchanting calls to people who love to spend time in tranquility. Besides the serene environment, the ways of life of the simple and friendly Tangkhuls who have been known for generations for their honesty and integrity leave one spellbound. There is numerous Mother Nature’s beauty offered by this district. Such are the beauty of Shiroi/Shirui Lily and Shirui Hill, and Hungdung village. Shirui lily is a state flower. Not just stunning in appearance, it has its unique characteristic which is you can’t plant this flower in any part of the world other than Sirui hill. Khangkhui cave is another attraction one cannot afford to miss. One can reach this district by Winger and Sumo.

The Dzuko Valley, also known as the “Valley of the Flowers of the North East”, is perhaps one of the biggest secrets of India. Sauntering through the Dzuko Valley- beautiful plains with lush greenery and the loveliest flowers growing on them, passing over the brisk passing streams of crystal clear water that you wish to drink straight away, getting lost in the melodies of the cooing birds, surrounded by thick forests- for tourists it’s one of the best experiences that they are ever likely to have. To get to the Dzuko Valley, one can travel to Mao (the best spot for climbing) by Winger or Sumo which is 105 km from Imphal in the National Highway 39.

Sadu Chiru Waterfall in south-west of Kangpokpi (Kanggui) district has recently witnessed the influx of tourists from every corner of Manipur. It is a potential site seeing location yet to make use of by visitors from outside state. The magnificent water falls from the mystery thick forest is a breathtaking site. It is well known picnicking setting for family and friends. A visitor can come along with wife and children for some real adventure of eating meal in open space by applying the old way of cooking with woods. It is one of the best sightseeing locations in Manipur because it offers you two different sights i.e waterfall and greenery garden (Agape Garden). Agape Garden is within the vicinity of Sadu Chiru waterfall. Agape Garden is big, well maintained, clean, nature's paradise. It is one of the best locations to release one's stress and anxiety. Sadu Chiru is 29 km from Imphal. One can reach the place by road. Haipi village in Kangpokpi district is another God’s gift which can leave the visitors keep on extolling its beauty. The beautiful village is inhabited by Thadou tribe. The village is lush with serene and the arts of beautifully planted flowers and greenish lawn. It is about 20 km from Kanggui (Kangpokpi) town and about 65 kms from capital Imphal. Hengbung village is also another clean and attractive village of the district.    

Tamenglong district is famous for caves and orange farming. It is the land of the three Rongmei, Liangmei and Zemei or combinely Zeliangrong tribes. The famous Tharon cave is located about 27 kms from Tamenglong town and about 188 kms from Imphal city. Nature bound Tamenglong district is blessed with greenery forests and mountains, exotic orchids, rare and eye-catching flowers, and wildlife. One cannot miss enjoying the nature’s beauty of legendary Zeilard lake at Makoi (Atengba).

Moreh is the only border town of Manipur. The uniqueness about Moreh is its presence of Tamils who are South Indians. Moreh is famous for its business establishment. One can meet the people of the other side of the fence i.e. to say the Myanmarese or one can visit Tamu which is about 5 Km from Moreh town. To get to Moreh, one can board van or car from Imphal. It is about 110 km from Imphal. On the way to Moreh, a visitor can take recreation in Tengnoupal town, the highest point of Chandel district. The inimitable splendor about Tengnoupal is that the clouds hover around even in the warm May month.

Churachandpur town or preferably called by locals as Lamka town is the most developed town in the whole hill districts of Manipur. It is rightly called a metropolitan town or in other words the mini Manipur for it holds an assortment of ethnic tribes who belong to Chin-Kuki-Mizo group. A visitor can have the opportunity to witness the vibrant traditions and cultures of the town. The colourful traditional gown weave by womenfolk and the church going women wearing the traditional ponve/ puanve (women’s wear) are the attraction of the town. Not far from the town is a village called Mata. From here a visitor can view the magnificently built Khuga dam or locally Tuithapi (killer water) encased all by small hillocks. Ngaloi waterfall is another mind and soul attraction of the district.

Your visit to Manipur is incomplete if you don’t take a step further to valleys of Manipur. It has a thing to offer which you will not want to ignore. You will not see anywhere on earth what you can see in Ima Market. Ima Market is the only market in the world which is exclusive for the womenfolk. Varieties of items are sold here. One can enjoy seeing the womenfolk selling their goods some of which are not available in any other place. The Manipur State Museum in the hearts of Imphal exhibits numerous mores, nature, art forms and the past of the state. The Museum has urbanized currently into an adaptable source and boasts of proficiency in diverse arms. The galleries illustrated unusual facets of the state through illumination upon nearly every feature viz. Ethnology, Natural History, Art work and Handicraft, Archeology etc. 

A small village situated near the east of Imphal, Andro is a small hamlet and is popularly known for its pottery. This village is home to the Andro Gramshang Museum, which comprises different varieties of traditional pots namely, Pudond Makhong, Walom, Ngangkha and Yukhum. Along with pots, the women also make vases, piggy banks and lamps. Apart from pottery, Andro is also famous for a Doll House, which showcases dolls belonging to 29 popular Manipuri tribes. Travelers can easily avail buses, cycles, auto-rickshaws and taxis to access different locations. It is also famous for its nicely maintained park. The suitable time to visit Andro is from the months of October to February, when the climate is pleasant. The village is 25 km from Imphal city.

Others worth mentioning popular site seeing include Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the whole of North East. Loktak Lake and in its nearby Sendra Park are located in Bishenpur district which is about 25 km from Imphal. Eco Park and Rose Garden are a best place for recreation and studying the beauty of flowers.