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Manipur
One of the loveliest, but lesser known holiday
destinations in the North East is Manipur. This erstwhile royal
state is slowly slipping into mainstream tourism from its sheltered
environs amongst the blue-hued hills and is set to be one of the
hottest tourist finds in India.
One of the oldest states in the North East, Manipur
enjoys its own individual identity with vigorous enthusi asm. This is reflected in
the martial arts of Thang-ta and Sarit-Sarak. Its artistic leanings
are visible in its graceful Ras Leela dance form and intricate hand-woven
shawls. The Meiteis (of Tibeto-Burman provenance) Manipur's primary
populace, inhabit the fertile Imphal valley whose eastern periphery
lies in the Chindwin-irrawaddy basin. In the surrounding hills reside
the Nagas in the north and its Kuki-Mizo populace to the south.
This Shangrila of the North East has a galaxy of
natural wonders and cultural traditions to be enjoyed at leisure.
Home of colourful people and dazzling rituals, myth and legends,
lively festivals and an evocative classical dance form, martial
arts and indigenous games, Manipur offers visitors a comprehensive
diversity of tourist delights. The stunning environs of the Loktak
Lake are a wonderful natural and cultural experience. Sundry wars
in which the Manipuris played a role are commemorated in the INA
museum and war memorials.
The erstwhile princely state of Manipur is a jewel
of a land with its bounteous vistas of untrammelled beauty and ancient
traditions. Set in an oval valley amongst smoky blue hills, it is
the home of the Meitei who dominate the populace, which is an admixture
of Naga and Kuki-Chin Mizo groups amongst other colourful communities.
The serenity of these pristine and isolated environs has permeated
the lifestyle of these people with a lavish hand, allowing them
to live for centuries in harmony.
The Manipuri's inspiration arises from the wondrous
balance of the flora and fauna that abound in its environs. Almost
70 per cent of the land is under forest cover. The stunning combination
of wet forests, temperate forests and pine forests sustain a host
of rare and endemic plant and animal life. Some of the world's rarest
orchids spring from the fertile soil. Denizens of the forest include
the rare hoolock gibbon, the snow leopard and slow loris amongst
a galaxy of other rare fauna. Indigenous to Manipur's rich natural
heritage is the sangai - the dancing deer, the rarest of creatures
that is facing extinction.
Manipur is reputed for its tradition of the arts.
Weaving (done by the women) is a time-honoured occupation, fine-tuned
to an art form with its intricate designs in the dazzling range
of sarees, sarongs, shawls and bedspreads. Each home has a loom.
Even the state's martial arts are recognised for their almost poetic
traditions. The economic and fluid movements of the spear dance
(Ta Khousarol) and sword fight (Thang Yannaba) have a sinuous beauty.
This playful, sports loving community is reputed for its indigenous
version of Sagol Kangjei or Polo (it was the first place in India
to have evolved this sport of kings), the Mukna Kangjei - (wrestling-hockey)
and Yubi-Lakpi, a form of rugby played with a greased coconut.
Also known as the land of Radha and Krishna, Manipur,
in the best of traditions, has gifted to India's classical dance
repertoire her lyrical Ras Eeela dance that re-enacts the love story
of Radha and Krishna. The Lai Haraoba (Spring Festival) is also
celebrated with the Manipuri's graceful movements in all dance forms.
Even its expressive tribal folk dances are performed with traditionally
aesthetic movements.
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Manipur - Information on Fairs & Festivals,
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