Manipur is strategically located in the North-eastern corner of India bordering Myanmar. The state serves as a corridor for India to the South East Asian countries and offers immense possibilities for growth of tourism and regional business. Adorned with a variety of breath-taking locations, the state is indeed a paradise on Earth where Mother Nature has been extra generous in her bounty. Least touched and least discovered, Manipur is a promising tourist destination for adventure and nature lovers alike.
The state has a rich cultural past dating back to centuries. It is the birthplace of Raas Lila- a renowned form of classical dance which was created by Maharaja Bhagyachandra. Manipur is also the birthplace of Modern Polo and the locals call this game ‘Sagol Kangjei’. It is a land of festivals and almost every month the people of Manipur get together to celebrate various festivals which reflects its rich culture, traditions and religious practices.
A diverse population that inhabits the state makes it apt to be called a mini India. The people of Manipur include Meitei, Nagas, Kuki-Chin-Mizos, Gorkhas, Muslims and other colourful communities which have lived in complete harmony for centuries. These are the people whose folklore, myths and legends, dances, indigenous games and martial arts, exotic handlooms and handicrafts are invested with the mystique of nature and an indefatigable feeling of happiness or excitement about life.
The state has a travel friendly climate that makes anytime of the year favourable for visitors. The nine mountain ranges that surround the state prevent the cold winds from the north from reaching the valley and also act as a barrier to cyclonic storms from the Bay of Bengal. The state experiences an amiable climate throughout the year though winters can be sometimes very cold. The maximum temperature in the summer months is 32 °C (90 °F). In winter the temperature often falls below 0 °C (32 °F), bringing frost. January is the coldest month in the state, and the warmest is July.
