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Out of all the places to visit in Northeast India, Manipur is a destination that is both unique and breath-taking. Manipur, known as the 'Jewel of India', is the perfect place for tourists looking for an alternative to typical tourist destinations because of its rich culture, lively customs, and pristine natural beauty.
The distinguished culture of Manipur is what makes it more unique than your typical vacation spots. The state has several ethnic populations with unique languages, traditions, and customs. People from the region are renowned for their passion for music, athletics and dancing, such as the well-known Manipuri dance, a traditional style passed down the generations. It is famous for its elegant and graceful movement. In addition to having a strong interest in sports, the people of Manipur particularly enjoy playing polo. The state is credited as the origin of modern polo and has given birth to several top-tier polo players.
Manipur's cuisine is another remarkable feature of its culture. Manipuri cuisine is a special fusion of various tastes and textures. The cuisine is simple but tasty, emphasising on locally produced, fresh ingredients. The state of Manipur is known for its love of dried fish, and its numerous rivers and lakes offer a steady supply of live fish. The 'Iromba', a traditional dish from Manipur made with mashed cooked vegetables, fish, and chilli, is one of the state's most well-known foods. Manipur's cuisine is a fair representation of the state's extensive cultural heritage. The northeast, in general, has a lot of food you must try if you visit during the Monsoon.
Manipur is known for its own culture as well as its spectacular natural beauty. The state is excellent for adventure lovers because of Manipur’s famous sites, such as hills, valleys, and lakes. Out of the numerous Manipur tourist places, anyone visiting Manipur should stop at Loktak Lake, the biggest freshwater lake in Northeast India. Many 'phumdis', or floating islands of vegetation and soil, can be found in the lake.
Manipur is a distinct and lovely state that will undoubtedly offer a memorable vacation. Travellers seeking an alternative to the typical tourist destinations will find the state's diverse culture, mouthwatering cuisine, and many of Manipur’s famous places with stunning natural beauty to be the perfect vacation spot. The people of Manipur are friendly and inviting, and their enthusiasm for dancing, music, and sports is contagious. Manipur’s tourist places are said to be magnificently beautiful, and its food is a perfect representation of its cultural past. A trip to Manipur will undoubtedly be a memorable event, and we can ensure you will keep going back for more!
A few of Manipur’s tourist places that you must visit
1. Loktak Lake
As we’ve written above, this is one of Manipur’s famous places you cannot afford to miss! Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. The lake is well-known for its phumdis, or floating islands, constructed from plants and soil. The endangered Sangai deer, which can be spotted in the lake's central Keibul Lamjao National Park, is also called the lake home.
How to reach: Imphal Airport, located 53 kilometres from Loktak Lake, is the closest airport. Road access to the lake is excellent, and regular buses and taxis leave from Imphal.
Timings: Visitor hours are from 8 am to 4 pm at the lake.
Best time to visit: November to March is the best time to visit Loktak Lake as the weather conditions are quite pleasant.
What makes it special: Loktak Lake is exceptional because of the Sangai deer and the floating islets, and it also happens to be the largest freshwater lake in South Asia.
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2. Kangla Fort
Imphal, the state capital of Manipur, is home to Kangla Fort, one of the famous Manipur tourist places. Since it was Manipur's capital for so many years, the fort has a long and illustrious history. The fort has been renovated and turned into a museum highlighting the state's history.
How to reach: The fort is conveniently positioned in the centre of Imphal and is easily accessible by bus or cab.
Timings: Guests can visit the fort from 10 am to 4:30 pm.
Best time to visit: Any time of the year is an excellent time to visit the fort.
What makes it special: The fort is a must-visit location due to its historical significance and place in Manipur's cultural legacy.
3. War Cemetery in Imphal
Imphal is also home to the Imphal War Cemetery, a World War II graveyard, which is one of Manipur’s famous places to visit. Over 1600 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Battle of Imphal are buried there. A visit will give you an insight into history like never before.
How to reach: The cemetery is conveniently located in the centre of Imphal and is reachable via bus or cab.
Timings: Visitor hours are from 7 am to 5 pm at the cemetery.
Best time to visit: The cemetery is best visited during the day when you can see different graveyards. Visiting at night is not for the faint-hearted. The cemetery is open all year round.
What makes it special: This is popular among Manipur’s tourist places because the cemetery serves as a moving memorial to the troops' suffering during World War II.
4. Khonghampat Orchidarium
Imphal is home to the Khonghampat Orchidarium, a botanical garden. One of the world's largest orchid collections, the park is home to approximately 110 species. If you love Orchids, this is one of Manipur’s famous places to visit!
How to get there: The orchidarium is just 7 km from Imphal and is conveniently accessible by bus or cab.
Timings: Visitor hours at the orchidarium are 10 am to 5 pm.
Best time to visit: May through September, when the orchids are in full bloom, is the best time to visit the orchidarium.
What makes it special: The orchidarium is a special out of Manipur’s famous places for nature enthusiasts because of its vast collection of orchids. You will be left astounded at how many different types of orchids you visit!
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5. INA Memorial
A town called Moirang, around 45 kilometres from Imphal, is where you can see the INA Memorial, one of Manipur’s most evocative tourist places. The Indian National Army soldiers who fought for India's independence are honoured by the memorial.
How to get there: You can take a bus or cab from Imphal to Moirang to visit this memorial.
Timings: From 10 am to 4 pm.
Best time to visit: The memorial stays open throughout the year to serve visitors all year round.
What makes it special: The memorial serves as a reminder of the soldiers; sacrifices.
6. Shri Govindajee Temple
One of the most significant temples out of Manipur’s famous places is the Shri Govindajee Temple, which is situated in the centre of Imphal. The temple, which honours Lord Krishna, is renowned for its distinctive construction that fuses Hindu and Muslim design elements.
How to reach: This temple is very easily accessible since it’s in Imphal.
Timings: Visitor hours are from 5 am to 8 pm at the temple.
Best time to visit: Visiting the temple is a spiritual experience, and you can visit it any time of the year to feel the divine energy.
What makes it special: The temple is a must-visit location because of its distinctive architecture and religious significance.
Some FAQs about Manipur
1. What is Manipur famous for?
Out of the places to visit in Northeast India, Manipur is renowned for its vibrant culture, historical significance, and natural splendour. Additionally, it is well-known for its native sports, including polo and martial arts.
2. Is Manipur suitable for tourists?
For travellers looking for unique and genuine experiences, Manipur is a terrific choice. It offers scenic beauty, historical significance, and adventurous pursuits.
3. How many days are sufficient to travel to Manipur?
To visit Manipur and its many attractions at a leisurely pace, at least 4-5 days are recommended.
4. What makes Manipur the ultimate tourist destination?
Manipur is the ideal tourist destination since it combines scenic beauty, cultural diversity, and outdoor activity. It draws tourists worldwide with its beautiful landscapes, historic temples, and lively festivals.
5. What is the best time to visit Manipur?
The best time to visit Manipur is between October and March when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities. However, the state is stunning all year long and is accessible at any time.
6. How to reach Manipur?
You can travel by road, rail, or air to Manipur, depending upon which part of the country you're travelling from. Imphal Airport, which has good connections to important Indian cities, is the closest. The state is well-connected to other regions of the nation through a good network of roads and railroads.
Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead.