2. FLOURA AND FOUNA
OF MANIPUR
Blessed with an amazing variety of flora and fauna, 67% of the
geographical area of Manipur is hill tract covered forests.
Depending on the altitude of hill ranges, the climatic condition
varies from tropical to sub-alpine. The wet forests and the pine
forests occur between 900-2700 m above MSL and they together
sustain a host of rare and endemic plant and animal life. Coveted
the world over as some of the most beautiful and precious
blooms, orchids have an aura of exotic, mysteries about them.
3. It has rich wildlife from big carnivores to micro-fauna. Among
big carnivores, it has Tigers, Leopards, Clouded leopards, Black
Panther, Malayan Sun Bear and Himalayan Black Bear.
Migratory elephants have also been reported in some parts of
WILDLIFE
4. MONUMENTS
Mova Cave, which is one of the natural historical places in
Manipur, is also a popular tourist attraction in Hungpung. The
natural cave is actually limestone that has formed into a cave,
which lies next to the bluish lungshang river
5. FESTIVALS
One of the most famous festivals of Manipur, Cheiraoba is
celebrated on the 1st day of Sajibu month (March-April).
This is also known as Spring Festival in Manipur. During
this festival, people dress up in traditional outfits, visit
friends and relatives, exchange greetings and gifts and
cook local delicacies. The regional goddess Sanamahi is
also worshipped during Cheiraoba festival of Manipur
6. CUISINES
Some popular Manipuri dishes include Chamthong
(vegetable stew), Chak-hao kheer (black rice pudding),
Ngari (fermented fish) and Iromba (mixture of boiled
vegetables, fish, and mashed chilies). The food is
generally mild in flavor and not very spicy, with a
generous use of ginger, garlic, and chili peppers.
7. COSTUMES
Innaphi and Phanek are the Manipuri traditional
dress for women in Manipur. All Manipuri women
wore these costumes. Phanek is worn like a sarong.
The Manipuri dress is woven with the hand in
horizontal line designs.
8. TRADITIONS
Manipur hosts numerous festivals; some of the major
ones are Dol Jatra (Yaoshang ), Rath Jatra, Lai-
Haraoba, Ramjan ID, KUT, Gang-Ngai, Chumpha,
Cheiraoba, Heikru Hidongba, Lui-Ngai-Ni, and Kwak
Jatra. In Lai-Haraoba, the festival is celebrated in the
name of the deity called Umang Lai which takes place
in May.
9. FAMOUS PERSONALITIES
Some of the famous personalities of Manipur of
the present time are boxers Mary Kom and Dingko
Singh, activist Irom Chanu Sharmila, actor Bijou
Thaangjam and writer M Kirti Singh.
