India Travel

Manipur

Manipur, a state in northeastern India, is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south and Assam in the west; it also borders the country of Myanmar to the east.

Tourism

Manipur is truly a tourists' paradise. Predominantly a hill state with patches of plain and watered by the rivers, Manipur's major destinations are Imphal, the beautiful capital city is avalley full of lakes and grassy meadows. Mao and Ukhrul, the picturesque hill resorts and Taminglong, with its exotic landscape attracts any visitor.

Entry Formalities

Foreign Tourists : All foreign tourists visiting Manipur require Restricted Area permit (RAP) issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi. The permits are also issued by Indian Missions abroad, Foreign Regional Registration office (FRRO) in Mumbai, Kolkata, Immigration office in Chennai and the Home Commissioner, Govt. of Manipur, Imphal.

Domestic Tourists : Indian tourists visiting Manipur via Dimapur/Kohima require Inner Line Permit to pass through Nagaland. These permits are issued by the Liaison officers of the Govt. of Nagaland at New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati /Shillong and the Sub-Divisional Office (Civil) Dimapur. Deputy Commissioner, Imphal can also issue permits to tourists traveling by road from Imphal to Kohima and Dimapur in Nagaland.

Weather

The climate of the State is salubrious with approximate average annual rainfall varying from 933 mm at Imphal to 2593 mm at Tamenglong. The temperature ranges from sub-zero to 36 o C. The valley gets the reflection of the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter from the neighbouring hills.

Places of Tourist Interest

Imphal : The capital of Manipur, is a mini-metropolis situated at the height of 790 m above sea level. It is surrounded by Nongmaijing hills in the East and the Langol in the North. It is the nerve centre of all cultural, commercial and administrative activities of the State. Govindajee Temple, War Cemetery, Khwairamband Bazaar, Shaheed Minar, Manipur State Museum, Khonghampat Orchidarium and Langthabal are some of the places of tourists attraction in and around Imphal.

 

Festivals & Events

Christmas : Christmas is the greatest festival of all Christians in Manipur and is observed for two days on December 24th and 25th. Midnight services are held in various churches and in some villages the celebration continues till the 1st of January which is equally celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.

Gang-Ngai : A festival of the Kabui Naga community, Gang-Ngai is celebrated in the month of December-January for five days. The festival starts with a religious ceremony on the first day and the remaining days are associated with common feasts, dances and presentation of gifts etc.

Lui-Ngai-Ni : Social gatherings, songs, dances and rejoicing highlights the festival of sowing which the Naga community celebrates on the 15th of February every year.

Id-Ul-Fitr : Id-Ul-Fitr is the most popular festival of the Manipuri Muslims. It is celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan, the holy month of fasting for the Muslims.

Yaoshang (Doljatra) : It is celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna (February/March). The Thabal Chongba- a kind of Manipuri folk dance, where boys and girls hold hands, sing and dance in a circle, is particularly associated with this festival.

Also, Cheiraoba, Lai Haraoba, Rath Jatra, Hiekru Hitongba, Kwak Yatra (Dussehra), Kut, Chumpha and Ningol Chakkouba are some major festival celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.

Manipur is distinctly identified to the world by its own art forms and cultural expressions. Its famous classical dance remains a unique dance form in all Manipur dance forms whether folk, classical or modern.

Best Time To Visit

Manipur is best visited during the months of October to February.

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