MEMORABLE TOUR OF NORTH EASTERN STATES- MANIPUR & NAGALAND

M A N I P U R: AN EXQUISITE GEM OF NORTH EAST KNOWN FOR ITS VERY RICH TRADITIONS,DANCE FORMS,VARIETY OF RARE & EXOTIC FLAURA & FAUNA,LUSH GREEN MEADOWS, HILLS, GURGLING STREAMS AND PICTURESQUE WATERFALLS. N A G A L A N D:TRIBAL STATE WITH MESMERIZING SCENIC BEAUTY EVER STRIVING TO RETRIEVE & CONSERVE THE NAGA CULTURE THROUGH ITS VIBRANT FESTIVALS & NAGA HERITAGE COMPLEXES HOLDING RICH HISTORICAL/CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE.

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On 30/05/2015, We reached Imphal for our 5-day(30/5 to 03/6) tour of the North Eastern sister-states Manipur & Nagaland. India’s NE is a land of undulating hills/plains with luxuriant green cover, exotic flaura & fauna, powerhouse of natural resources, full of diversity, picturesque landscapes, rich cultural/historical heritage and multicoloured festivals.The tour was a magnificient one- the unforgettable memories of which will be cherished lifelong.

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MANIPUR literally means a ‘Jewelled land’:a town that rightly justifies the small,picturesque land with sites like Loktak lake(53km from its capital city Imphal)and Khongapat Orchidarium. Is famous for its natural beauty.Its a spectacular off beat tourist destination which is bestowed with lush green meadows,hills,rugged streams,waterfalls& aromatic tea estates.Its the true jem of North east. Interract with the locals,soak in the good vibes &loose yourself in the beauty of nature.Its one of the seven sisters northeast states.Its known for its dance forms,music, sumptuous cuisine &dense forests with rare species of plants & animals.The favourite food of Manipuri people is rice vegetables and fermented Ngri fish .Best time to visit is- from Oct to April.

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MAIN POINTS OF FAME ARE:1)Its often referred to as Kangleipak & Meeteilipak by local people. 2)Birthplace of Polo. 3)Battleground at Lokpachig. 4)Kiebul Lamjao National parks. 5)Dangal gone folk. 6)Merged with Indian Union in 1949 and was declared a state in 1972 .7)Hardworking women-Ima Kathel market.8)Ban on hindi language/Bollywood.9)ILP is required to visit Manipur. 10)Meitie tribe. 11)First ruler-Nonlida Laven Pakhangba in around 33 AD. 12)Gandharv disa. 13)Rasleela dance .14)Bamboo-53/126 species are found in Manipur.It produces 10 lakhs Ton/year. 15)Manipuri rice liquor. 16)Worlds oldest polo ground. 17)Rich Tribal culture-Andro village. 18)INA Museum of historical importance. 19)Khagkhui caves were inhabited since 3000 BC/stone age. 20) Sangai festival.21)Iron lady of Manipur-Irom Chanu Sharmila -a civil rights activist who founded a political party in 2016 called-Peoples Ressurgence and Justice Alliance(PRAJA).She was known for her hunger strike against the Armed Forces Act. She also wrote two Books- 1)Fragrance of peace. 2)Iron Irom: Two journeys where the abnormal is normal. AWARDS :Gwangju Prize for human rights.

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History of Manipur : Its a small state bounded by Nagaland to the North,Mizoram to the South,Assam to the West & Myanmar to the East .Area-22,327 sq km,Established in 1972,Population-5,12,069. Main groups-Meitie,Pangals(Manipuri muslims),Naga tribes,kuki/Zo tribes and other communities which speak variety of Sino-Tibetan languages.Due to its neighbouring states,there is migration of people,culture & religion.It always used to be independent of its neighbouring tribal areas, though often invaded by Burma,enjoyed long stable Govts. Manipur became part of British India following Yandaboo treaty with East India Co.in 1826.During the World War-II the Japanese forces marched to Manipur. It was given the status of full-fledged state in 1972.The kingdom of Manipur was established by King Loiyumba in 1110 and became princely state of British Raj from 1824 to 1947 and Independent from 1947 to 1949.It contains 467 villages.Palace of Kangla is an old palace located in Imphal. It was located on both the sides of river Imphal but now it is on the western bank only.It was the traditional seat of the past Meitei rulers of Manipur.

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I M P H A L :

It is metropolitan centre of city with the Kangla fort now housing the relics.On the south is the old polo ground,state museum displaying tribal artifacts and a large royal boat.Next to the royal palace is the Sri Govindji temple having twin domes,a hall& shrines of Hindu Gods. Elev.-786 mts, Population-2,64,986(2011), Imphal-East, Imphal-West,Languages-Meeteilon(Manipuri)& English, Literacy rate-95%-male, 87%female.Inhabitants-Hindu-70%,Christians-10%(rest others). Imphal Airport is a domestic-upgraded new International AP second largest in NE after Guwahati.

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HISTORY OF IMPHAL : It was initially ruled by Kin Khaba and later ruled by Pakhangba leader.The clan of Ningthonja tribe originated then.The Kangla palace was built by king Khargemba and his son Khujabo. Later it was destroyed by British during Anglo-Manipur war However the kingdom survived with the help of Maharaja Gambhir Singh. Imphal remained peaceful till 1891 when British arrived to intervene in the royal family matters. This resulted in Anglo-Manipur war which British won. The battle of Imphal was fought around the city from March to July 1944. Japanese army tried to destroy the allied forces at Imphal&invade India but were driven back into Burma with heavy losses.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

1)Kangla Fort, 2) INA Memorial, 3)Sri Govindji Temple, 4)Loktak lake, 5)Manipur Zoological garden, 6)Manipur state Museum, 7)D Zukou valley (on the Manipur Nagaland border), 8)Ima Kiethel women market,9)Jorebangla temple, 10)Theron caves, 11)Shahid minar, 12)Churachandrapur, 13)Bishnupur temple, 14)Radha krishna/Ram balram/Hanuman temple, 15)Chungugu Thangjing temple, Lahron Moirang, 16)Sendra islands, 17)Moreh border, 18)Tamu market, Myanmar can be reached from Moreh border after depositing ones Election ID Card.

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NAGALAND :

Its known for its mesmerising scenic beauty and some important festivals(8) which hold cultural& historical significance.Its predominantly a tribal state with about 16-17 tribal groups. Nagaland Adminitration is striving to retrieve and conserve the erstwhile Naga history & cultural heritage through numerous festivals& vibrant fares.

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ABOUT NAGALAND:

Its a mountaneous state of the Northeast bordering Myanmar.Its home to diverse indigenous tribes festivals and fares celebrating the different tribes culture.Its capital city Kohima suffered heavy losses in World war II commemorating the Kohima war cemetery. Nagaland state museum exhibits the ancient weaponery, a ceremonial drum and other traditional Naga Cultural artifacts. It was formed on 01/12/1963 and became 16th state of India.The largest city is Dimapur. The Nagas are believed to be of Mangolian race.They might have migrated from China to settle at the foothills of Himalayas.They used to speak Tibeto-Burman dilect with their cultures being diverse-a few tribes are polygamous and others are monogamous. Naga people are various ethenic groups native to NE India and NW Myanmar.The groups have similar cultures and traditions &form the majority of Naga population in Nagaland & Naga -administered zone of Myanmar. Languages: Naga language,Nagamese,Creole,English.Religion:Christianity,Theravada, Buddism, Animism.Highest elevation: Mt. Saramati at 3826 mts, Population:22.8L(2012) ,Literacy level.-80.11%, Official language-English, It was carved out of state of Assam, state of Nagaland act-1962, Mammal-Mithun, Bird-Blyths Trajopan, Flower-Rhodendron, Tree-Alder.

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In 1944, during the World War-II,the Japanese army invaded through Burma and attempted to take India through Kohima. British India soldiers along with British troops defended the area of Kohima and successfully repelled the Japanese troops.There is a WW-II Cemetry and war museum in honour of those who lost their lives (mostly Nage Angami tribe).Kohima cathedral is on Aradura hill.Prayers are held in Kohima for peace and in memory of the dead.Apart from Kohima many other places like Zunheboto, Wokha, Tuensang are very popular specially during the festivals celebrated with lot of zeal and enthusiasm.

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MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:

1)War Cemmetry, 2)Japfu peak at 3048 mts, 3)Sadar hills, 4)Konkoni hills, 5)Senapati,6)Mao, 7)INA Tank(Netaji SC Bose), 8)Tori, 9)Kohima museum, 10)Kohima Zoo, 11)Khonoma village, 12)Shilloi lake, 13)Kohima cathedral, 14)Mokokchung :It is the most developed city (socially and politically)of Nagaland. It is known for extravagant celebrations of Christmas/New year and the Moatrii festival in May.Its home to Ao tribe native to the land-extremely hospitable tribe.Museum in Arts and Culture is a perfect place to explore tribe traditions of Nagaland especially their war gear & clothing.15) Kisama Naga Hertage Complex: Kisama is an amalgamation of Nage villages Kegwema ,Phesama & MA village.It seeks to promote culture &tradition of Naga people facilitated through Nagaland Administration to retrieve & conserve the erstwhile Naga culture.

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