Manipur is blessed with nature's most auspicious gifts. It is a state where one can witness the nature at its adolescent stage.
Manipur is situated in the northeastern part of India. It is one of those states, who are fondly called as the seven sisters. Mizoram, Nagaland and Assam are its neighbouring states. It faces Burma at its eastern side. It covers an area of 22,327 square kilometres and has a population of 22,93,896. Imphal is the capital city of this state. The capital is situated in an ovate shaped valley. It is fondly called as the jewelled land which is nurtured in the luscious green cloverleaf in the northeastern part of India. The view of this landscape gives an impression of an exquisite piece of dexterity which has been depleted by the nature. This piece of art is surrounded by turquoise hills with an ovate framed valley at the centre. This piece of land is blessed with nature's auspicious splendour and triumph.
Geography
The blue mountains which stand as a sentinel saves land from the cold winds and from the cyclonic storms which originate from the Bay of Bengal. There are four major river basins in the state which are the Barak River basin in the west, the Yu river basin in the east, the Manipur river basin in centre and the Lanye river basin in the north. The Barak river is the largest river in the province and has numerous tributaries such as Irang, Maku and Tuivai. The central river basin has eight important rivers such as Manipur, Iril, Nambul, Imphal, Chakpi, Sekmai, Khuga and Thoubal. Most of the rivers in this valley area are in their matured stage, hence deposit their sediments in the Loktak lake.
Sojourner and History
The residents of Manipur are known as Meiteis. These people constitute a major ethnic clan in the state. They are also referred as the Manipuris. These people mainly are divided into seven clans which have history back to 33A.D. These people mainly inhabit the plains and the hilly areas are mainly inhabited by a tribal group known as the chingmis. The hilly areas are also shared by two other major communities such as the nagas and the kukis. Now-a-days the Meitei community refers to four groups which include the Meitei Marup, the Metei Goura, the Meitei Brahmins and the Meitei Muslims. Meiteilon is the official language spoken by them. Meetei Mayek is the popular Manipuri script. The British could only trespass this state in 1891. This was the last kingdom to be embraced into the British Empire. During the second world war, this state witnessed and sustained many fierce battles which were fought between the Japanese and the allied forces. The intruders were forced to return before they could enter into Imphal. Rajashree Bhagyachandra is a immortal name in the province. He created the famous classical Ras Lila dance which he always used to visualise in his enchanting dreams. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and had managed to spread Vaishnavism in the state.
Religion and Culture
Though Manipur is diversified in terms of language and religion, Sanamahi can be considered to be the main religion followed by a majority of the population. Christianity is also followed here. This religion started to gain roots with the advent of mainstream of western education. All the hilly descendants are now Christian in religion. Therefore the Bible is available in their folk languages which include Vaiphei, Paite, Thadou, Lushai etc. This religion comprises of 45% of the population. People here are mainly theatre oriented. Many mythological plays such as the Ramlila, Shumanglila, Thoklila and Kabullila are enjoyed and well appreciated. Imphal, the Keibul Lamjao National Park and Loktak lake are some of the places must to see.
