Manipur – The Jewel of India

Manipur is a state in northeastern India , with the city Imphal as its capital. It is also known as the jewel of India.Surrounded by nine hills with an oval shaped valley at the center, a natural made Jewel and hence the name “A Jeweled land”. Apart from being a nature’s gift to India, It is also a melting pot of culture. It is the birthplace of Polo, the sport and the birthplace of Ras Lila, a classical dance form. It acts as India's "Gateway to the East" through Moreh and Tamu towns, the land route for trade between India and Burma and other Southeast Asian countries.It has the highest number of handicrafts units and the highest number of crafts persons in the northeastern region of India.

Top 5  Places to visit in Manipur

1. Loktak Lake:

 

Loktak Lake, the lifeline of Manipur, is considered the largest fresh water lake in the whole of Northeast India. It also owns the pride of being the only floating lake the world over as it has floating phumdis on it. Phumdis meaning, a series of floating islands, is seen only in Loktak Lake. The lake is the major source of drinking water, electricity and irrigation. You can find a wide range of endangered wildlife and plants in the lake.

2.Shirui hill:

Shirui Lily or Siroi lily and Botanical name Lilium Mackliniae Sealy, is known worldwide for its rare and modest beauty. It is found in the upper reaches on the third peak of Siroi hill ranges in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, India, at an elevation of 1730m-2590m above mean sea level. It is the State flower of Manipur since 21-3-1989 but has unfortunately become a rare and endangered species in India. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this flower. 

3. Ima Market: The world's only all women run market place in manipur: 

an unique symbol of manipur's  history, ima keithel (which mean mothers's market) is believed to be the largest women market in the world. with  its vibrant array of textiles, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, Ima Keithal can be mistaken for any other bustling bazaar in India but it has one distinct difference – the 5000 traders manning its stalls are exclusively women. Located in the heart of Imphal, this sprawling 500-year-old market has long been an important meeting ground and trading hub of Manipur.

4. Imphal war cemetry:

The Imphal War Cemetery is located in Imphal, the capital of the Indian state of Manipur, in Northeast India, which has an international border with upper Burma (now Myanmar). The cemetery has 1,600 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

5. Kangla fort:

The Palace of Kangla is an old palace at Imphal in Manipur (Kangleipak). It was situated on both sides (western and eastern) of the bank of the Imphal River. But now it remains only on the western side of the bank. Only the ruins remain now. Kangla means "dry land" in old Meitei. It was the traditional seat of the past Meitei rulers of Manipur.