Manipur hills as tourist destination

Malsawm Kipgen *

Cuddling inside a lush green corner of North East India lies lesser known hills in a tiny 'Jeweled Land' called Manipur. The Manipur hills or Manipur thinglhang gam as is called in local Thadou dialect is an authentic delight on the globe where Mother Nature has been unstinting in her gratuity. Blessed with a hygienic climate, famed for its all your own edifying prototype and its lush picturesque splendor, endow the nature lover a temptation to stopover in the hills of Manipur.

Intact and purely untouched, Manipur hills vows to be the grand discovery for the vacationers. It offers the nature lovers an awe striking sight which can keep one imagining. It is a priceless land on earth which remains unblemished and unearth. Manipur hills are enclosed by Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south, Myanmar in the east and Cachar of Assam in the west.

Shirui Hills

Nature greets you if you are travelling to a hill district of Ukhrul. It is a land beautifully decorated by the presence of a colourful Tangkhul Naga tribe in supplement to its beautifully crafted nature. The district headquarter is 85 km from the state capital Imphal. Ukhrul town is the highest as well as a very beautiful hill station of Manipur.

It is a land of mountains combined by folksongs and instruments echoing with the rhythms of breeze and rich wild life. This virgin land has enchanting calls to people who love to spend time in tranquility. Besides the serene environment, the ways of life of the simple and friendly Tangkhuls who have been known for generations for their honesty and integrity leave one spellbound.

Phangrei Hills

There is a numerous Mother Nature's beauty offered by this district. Such are the beauty of Shiroi/Shirui Lily and Shirui Hill, and Hungdung village. Shirui lily is a state flower. Not just stunning in appearance, it has its unique characteristic which is you can't plant this flower in any part of the world other than Shirui hill. Shirui hill, also known as Shirui Kashong in local Tangkhul dialect is an idle place for climbing and trekking in summer time.

One can have a full view of the beautiful nature of flowers, mysterious plants, and landscape from atop the hill. Not very far from Shirui hill lies Phangrei hill, another magnificent God's creation, best suited for trekking and adventure. The breathtaking Shirui Kashong is about 18km away from district headquarter and can be reached by either Winger or Sumo. Khangkhui cave is also a popular place which can keep you awe struck for it is filled with unexplored mysteries. One cannot miss it if touring Ukhrul district.

Dzuko Valley :: Pix - A Kuttler

The Dzuko Valley, also known as the "Valley of the Flowers of the North East", is perhaps one of the biggest secrets of India. Sauntering through the Dzuko Valley- beautiful plains with lush greenery and the loveliest flowers growing on them, passing over the brisk passing streams of crystal clear water that you wish to drink straight away, getting lost in the melodies of the cooing birds, surrounded by thick forests- for tourists it's one of the best experiences that they are ever likely to have.

To get to the Dzuko Valley, one can travel to Mao (the best spot for climbing) by winger or sumo which is 105 km from Imphal in the National Highway 2. Makhel is an old and sacred place for many Naga ethnic tribal groups where they settled and had migrated long time ago. There are many historical monuments such as the sacred Banyan trees,, the farewell monolith, the triomonolith and the hailstorm stone etc.[senapati.nic.in]

Sadu Chiru waterfall

Sadu Chiru waterfall in south-west of Kangpokpi (Kanggui) district has witnessed an influx of tourists from every corner of Manipur. It is a potential site seeing location yet to make use of by visitors from outside state. The magnificent water falls from the mystery thick forest is a breathtaking site. It is a well known picnicking setting for family and friends. A visitor can come along with wife and children for some real adventure of eating meal in open space by applying the old way of cooking with woods.

It is one of the best sightseeing locations in Manipur because it offers you two different sights i.e. waterfall and greenery garden (Agape Garden). Agape Garden is within the vicinity of Sadu Chiru waterfall. Agape Garden is big, well maintained, clean, and nature's paradise. It is one of the best locations to release one's stress and anxiety. Sadu Chiru is about 29 km from Imphal. One can reach the place by road.

Agape Garden

Haipi village in Kangpokpi district is another God's gift which can leave the visitors keep on extolling its beauty. The beautiful and clean village is inhabited by Thadou tribe. The village is lush with serene and the arts of beautifully planted flowers and greenish lawn. It is about 20 km from Kanggui (Kangpokpi) town and about 65 kms from capital Imphal.

Hengbung village on NH2 is also another clean and attractive village of the district which can offer you the chance to see the natural beauties of a village. Koubru hill, the holy place for the Meiteis and the second highest hill in Manipur is in this district. The highest point of Koubru is in Sapermeina village. One can also spend a good quality time in the river water of Koubru Leikha on NH2 which is nearby the village.

Longmai Bazaar :: Pix - Pentidin

Tamenglong district is famous for caves and orange farming. It is the land of the three Rongmei, Liangmei and Zemei or combinely Zeliangrong tribes. The famous Tharon cave is located about 27 kms from Tamenglong town and about 188 kms from Imphal city. Nature bound Tamenglong district is blessed with greenery forests and mountains, exotic orchids, rare and eye-catching flowers, and wildlife. One cannot miss enjoying the nature's beauty of legendary Zeilard lake at Makoi (Atengba).

View from Tengnoupal :: Pix - Rediff News

Moreh is the only border town of Manipur. The uniqueness about Moreh is its presence of Tamils who are South Indians by origin. Moreh is famous for its business establishment. One can meet the people of the other side of the fence i.e. to say the Myanmarese or one can visit Tamu which is about 5 Km from Moreh town.

To get to Moreh, one can board hired van or car from Imphal. It is about 110 km from Imphal. On the way to Moreh, a visitor can take a recreation in Tengnoupal village on NH, headquarter of a newly created Tengnoupal district. The inimitable splendor about Tengnoupal is that the cold clouds hover around even in the mid warm season of a year.

Tuithapi (Khuga) River

Churachandpur town or preferably called by locals as Lamka town is the most developed town in the whole hill districts of Manipur. It is rightly called a metropolitan town or in other words the mini Manipur for it holds an assortment of ethnic tribes who belong to Chin-Kuki-Mizo group. A visitor can have the opportunity to witness the vibrant traditions and cultures of the town.

The colourful traditional gown weave by womenfolk and the church going women wearing the traditional ponve/ puanve (women's wear) are the attraction of the town. Not far from the town is a village called Mata. From here a visitor can view the magnificently built Khuga dam or locally Tuithapi (killer water) encased all around by small hillocks. Ngaloi waterfall is another mind and soul attraction of the district.