|
Status: |
North Eastern State of India |
|
Shopping: |
- |
|
History of: |
- |
|
Population: |
23.88 Lac |
Manipur is a state in
northeastern India making its capital in the city of Imphal. Manipur
is situated between 23.83oN and 25.68oN latitude and 93.03oE and
94.78oE longitude. It comprises 1820 sq.km of flat plateau of alluvial
valley and 20507sq.km of hill territory and forms a part of the
Himalayan mountain system which carries this cup-shaped wonderland
inside its series of hill ranges. Manipur is bounded by Nagaland in
the north, Mizoram in the south, upper Myanmar in the east and Cachar
district of Assam in the west. The valley portion of the state is
surrounded by hill ranges from all sides. Manipur had been a Union
Territory from 1956 and became a full-fledged state from 1972. There
are many mythical stories about the origin of the name Manipuri. Some
local people narrate its link with the Mahabharata. They say the name
is from Mani, a jewel. In the Mahabharata, Manipur ( 'Mani' -Jewel, 'Pur'-
City or place ), the remote northeastern State of India, is mentioned
as the meeting place of Arjuna, the third pandava and Chitrangada, the
crown Princess of Manipur. By virtue of its geographical situation,
Manipur is a shining pearl in the Himalayan system. Manipuris call it
as Meithei Leipak. In the valley Kongba (Imphal), Eeril and Thobal are
the big rivers which originate from the hills and flow down into the
valley and forms the drain for all waters flowing into the valley
carrying them off by Sagnu river through the southern ranges of hills
further into the Ningthee. The Bark river flows through its western
borders. The natural lake Loktak is a big water reservoir of 36 metres
depth. It is 8 miles long from north-west to south-east and 5 miles
broad at its greatest breadth from the east to west. The dark green
Eichornia (water Hyacinath) reed and other aquatic plants floats on
its surface abundantly. In the valley there are numerous small lakes
and swamps.
Encircled by nine hill ranges, Manipur is marked out by a picturesque
valley in the midst. The total area of Manipur is 22,327 sq. km. Out
of this only 2,238 sq. Km are valley while the remaining areas are
covered with hilly tracts. The hills around the cup-shaped valley add
to the natural beauty of Manipur. The hills are part of the Himalayas
and are termed as Sub-Himalayan ranges. They are spread into ranges
with irregular serrated ridges with tapering cliffs. There are several
names given to these ranges. On the west : Nunjaibong, Kala Naga,
Chakka Nungba, Kanpum and Kopru-Laimotol. On the north : The Khhunho
spurs, Thumion (Mayang Khang), Laison and Sirohi farar. On the East :
Surameti or Chinganguba, Somrah, Kassom, Nupitel or Maphitel and
Yomadoung and on the South : Hawbi. Among these Chinganguba or
Surameti peak is the highest with 12,557ft. All the hills are covered
with luxuriant growth of forests with nagesar, jurul, India-rubber,
tan, oak, ash, teak, palm (in eastern slsopes). There are different
varieties of bamboo all over Manipur. Pinus Longifolia is found in
Somrah basin and in northern portion. It has been planted on the
hillock adjacent to Imphal town. The forest department of Manipur
should make it a policy of reforestation of these entire ridges if
they are really keen on aesthetic reflection of Imphal town in its
peripheries. In the high hills the red and white rhododendron is seen.
The flame of the forest trees are also found on the way to Tamenglong.
Manipur boasts of an exotic landscape with gently undulating hills,
emerald green valleys, blue lakes and dense forests. Manipur,
literally meaning the land of jewel, is a paradise on earth when
Mother Nature has been extra generous in her beauty. Manipur is
considered a sensitive border state. Foreigners entering Manipur
(including foreign citizens born in Manipur) must possess a Restricted
Area Permit which can be obtained from the Foreigners' Regional
Registration Office in the "metros" (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata) or
certain other state government offices. Permits are valid for only 10
days, and visitors must travel only on tours arranged by authorised
travel agents, in groups of four. Furthermore, they may come to Imphal
only by air and will not be permitted to travel outside the capital.
Climate
The climate of Manipur is moderate. The valley gets the reflection of
the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter from the
neighbouring hills. The months of November, December, January and
February remain dry and the remaining eight months are more or less
rainy. January is very cold in winter and May-June are the hottest in
summer.
People
The characteristics of the Manipuri people vary according to
geographical divisions. The population of Manipur comprises different
social groups. They are Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and Miscellaneous
groups. The entire population of Manipur is distributed into two
regions: the hill population and the valley population. The valley
people are supposed to be the descendants of four old tribes called
Khuman, Luang, Moirang and Maithai. The hill people are broadly
divided into Naga and Kuki tribes. The Meitees inhabit the plains, and
the Kukis and Nagas live in the hills. Early Manipuris were followers
of Hinduism, and believed in the hierarchy of the Gods. Many of the
hill-dwellers have converted to Christianity, while the majority of
those residing in the plains continue to be Hindus. Older forms of
worship, however, continue to exist in the veneration of forest
deities known as Umang Lais. They are represented as metal masks,
similar to the deities of other Himalayan people such as the
Himachalis of Kulu. Like the Nair women of Kerala, the women of
Manipur are trained in the fierce local Martial art known as Thang-ta.
Dressed in black, they look like lithe, vicious felines. When their
swords clash, sparks fly. The concept of unity in diversity was a
remarkable characteristic of this state. In the history of Manipur
there has not been even a single instance of communal or ethnic
dispute. But in recent times, Manipur has been the scene of bitter
ethnic conflict. The ethnic animosity between the Kukis and the Nagas
stems from xenophobic insecurity. Over 1,000 have been killed, more
injured, houses burnt down and thousands rendered homeless, in the
conflicts in the past six years. The people of Manipur are simple and
largely untouched by the pollution of modern living. Their wants are
few, they love outdoor life, find communion with nature and depend on
the gifts of nature like rice for food, fish to supplement their dish.
The general facial characteristic of the Manipuris are of the
Mongolian type. There is a great diversity of the features among them.
The people are very good looking and fair. It is not uncommon to meet
girls with brownish black hair, brown eyes, fair complexions, straight
noses and rosy cheeks. The Manipuris are decidedly a muscular race.
Fat people are rare. They have good chests and well formed limbs.
These are the people whose folklore, myths & legends, dances,
indigenous games and martial arts, exotic handlooms & handicrafts are
infested with the mystique of nature.
How to reach there
 |
Skype : 