This small state located in Eastern India lies between Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam and Burma. People from diverse cultures reside here and speak a number of different languages all Tibetan or Burmese in origin. The capital city of the state, Imphal is mainly inhabited by the Meitei and is located close to the airport. Imphal is the place with all the bazaars and modern tourist places. but the true beauty of this state lies in its rural areas. Here are some of the best tourist spots to visit in Manipur.
1. Moirang:
Moirang famous for its rich culture and interesting history is located in the Bishnupur district of Manipur. This small village celebrates several Meitei folk festivals that are once in a lifetime experiences. The people of the village are kind and take well to tourists. You can witness exceptional shows put up by the village dancers, dressed up like gypsies in their ethnic wear and performing the Khamba-Thoibi dance. The village also boasts of a museum of the Indian National Army which has a magnificent bronze statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
2. Shaheed Minar:
Located at Bir Tikendrajit Park, which lies in the heart of Imphal city, this Minar seeks to commemorate the memories of the patriotic Meitei and tribal martyrs who were great freedom fighters and willingly sacrificed their lives in the struggle against the British. The feel of their courage can still be felt in this park which has now become a popular tourist destination.
See More: List Of Tourist Places In Chhattisgarh
3. Andro:
Andro is another small village located close to Imphal that is a popular haunt of the tourists. The village is infamous for its pottery and even houses a museum on the history of pottery, called the Andro Gramshang Museum. This museum sports a variety of traditional pots f this region called Pudond Makhong, Walom, Ngangkha and Yukhum. The village itself, though small is beautiful. You can get a few very good pictures clicked here. If you want you may even try your hand at pottery!
4. Kangla Fort:
‘Kangla’ in the Meitei language means dry land. The fort, also called the Palace of Kangla is set along the banks of the Imphal River which runs through the capital city. This fort is one of the most important historical sites of Manipur and it houses several important archaeological remains. Originally the royal palace of King Pakhangba, the fort was later under the control of Assam Rifles. Recently it has been opened for public viewing.
See More: Visiting Places In Mahabaleshwar
5. Kakching:
Kakching is the foremost of the agricultural towns of Manipur. Tourists are attracted to this small town by the large number of temples it houses. The most famous among these are the Krishnachandra Mandir, Narasingha Mandir and Viswanath Mandir.
6. Manipur Zoological Garden:
Manipur features a Zoo too! It’s located around 8km away from the city of Imphal. This Zoological Park houses several endangered species of birds and animals. It’s an interesting place to visit and one of the best choices to take your kids to. This is the best manipur tourist places
See More: Guwahati Tourist Places
7. Khongjom:
Khongjom is a historically significant town. Major General Paona Brajabashi, along with his accrued troops fought off the British soldiers in this very town! A memorial honouring their memory has been built here. 23rd April has been declared the Khongjom day in Manipur.
8. Imphal Valley:
This is a small oval shaped valley that is drained by a number of rivers including the Imphal River, Thoubal, Iril, Sekmai and Khuga River. This valley lures in several tourists with its panoramic views and other attractions such as Palace of Kangla, Polo Ground and Manipur State Museum. The valley also has several lakes and swamps within its confines. This is the amazing manipur tourist destination to visit.
9. The Lord Krishna Temple:
This is one of the most famous temples of Manipur. It’s located along the banks of the Imphal River at Brahmpur Guru Aribam Leikai. As is obvious by the name the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It’s a spectacular structure that has an aura of tranquillity.
Images Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
