Hassan Tour Day 1 Part 2: Visiting The Hemavathy Reservoir And Dam At Gorur

After our tour of the Hoysala Village Resort as described here, we took some rest in our room and freshened up to prepare ourselves for a short tour of the closest sightseeing destinations near our resort. It was already 3 pm when we set out in a car from the hotel to visit these places.

It took about an hour for us to reach the Gorur Hemavathy Dam and Reservoir Project area. Our driver appeared more excited than us to see the dam. After leaving our car in the parking lot, we headed towards the gateway leading to the dam. At the entrance of the project area, was a sculpture of warrior fighting with a lion. Although we admired the sculpture’s beauty, we had no idea of its significance. It was only when we visited the fascinating ancient temples of Belur and Halebidu the next day that we learned about the meaning of the sculpture.

As we entered through the gates, we could see a long stretch of a wide pathway leading to the dam in the distance. By then, it had started drizzling but luckily, we had taken our raincoats with us and that saved our day. The wind was too strong there to use an umbrella. 

In the distance, we could see the foaming white waters of the Hemavathy Dam. Let us learn a bit about the geography of this river and the history of the dam.

The Hemavathy River is a rain-fed river starting in the Western Ghats. It then flows through the Chikmagalur District of Karnataka to enter the Hassan District of the state. Here, the Yagachi River joins it. After that, the river continues to flow into the Mandya district to finally enter the Kaveri River near Krishnarajasagara. The river flows for about 245 km in total and drains an area of about 5,410 square km. 

In 1979, the construction of a dam on this river was completed. The dam was built in Gorur in the Hassan District. It was built just downstream of where the Hemavathy River joined the Yagachi River. The 8502 hectares large Gorur Reservoir was created by the construction of this dam. The Hemavati Dam has a height of 58 m and a length of 4692 m.

As we approached the dam by walking towards it, we admired this human-made mega-structure. However, we also thought of the ill-effects of damming on the region’s wildlife and the displacement of locals. Standing there we realized that dams can be both a blessing and a curse. 

Leaving the dam, our car cruised its way through the tree-lined roadway towards a destination that I was super-excited to see, the Shettihalli Rosary Church.

Read about it here.

1. Hassan Tour Day 1 Part 1: Exploring the Hoysala Village Resort

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/04/hassan-tour-day-1-part-1-exploring.html

Hassan Tour Day 1 Part 1: Exploring The Hoysala Village Resort

It is not always the sightseeing options that are the main attractions of a tour for us. We also love staying in unique and interesting places that have something extra to offer. Thus, when we decided to visit Hassan near Bangalore, we booked a stay at the Hoysala Village Resort that promised a stay amidst nature and experience of Hoysala living styles. 

Hassan is a city in the Hassan district of Karnataka about 3 hours to travel to the city from Bangalore. Hassan is named after the ancient Hasanamba temple. Settlement in the area began as early as the 11th century during the rule of the Hoysala Empire in the region. The resort where we were to stay was about 15 minutes away from the city.

On a fine winter day in 2017, we pre-booked a car to take us from Bangalore to the Hoysala Village Resort. The journey was through good roads and we reached our destination within about 3 hours. 

As we entered the resort, we were welcomed with garlands of marigold flowers and an orange tilak was drawn on our foreheads by a smiling lady of the resort. That was indeed a very Indian welcome ritual that really made us feel special.

After completing the check-in formalities in a beautiful Hoysala-style designed reception building, we were taken by the resort staff to our rooms. As we walked towards our rooms, we got a whiff of what was waiting for us.

The Hoysala Village Resort stretched out before us as a sprawling property with an abundance of greenery everywhere. As we moved through the narrow lanes with flowering plants and tall trees forming canopies over it, we absorbed all the beauty around us.

We had booked our rooms in Superior Cottage. As we approached the cottages, we climbed a few steps to reach our rooms. A large open-air verandah in front of our rooms looked very inviting.

The rooms were sprawling. There was a living room with sofas and a single bed outside. Inside, there was a well-furnished large bedroom a bathroom with an excellent view of the surrounding resort property. The entire setting was very pleasing to the eyes. The lighting of the rooms was also very soothing. The ethnic furniture was all awe-inspiring. 

We could not wait now to explore the rest of the property. We took a quick look around our rooms and asked our guide to take us on a tour of the rest of the resort. 

As we walked on, we were explained that there are three sections to the resort, the Superior Cottages where we staying, the Jacuzzi Villas, and the Malnad Palace. We couldn’t wait to see every part of this beautiful place.

We also noticed that many of the plants around us were labeled to help guests enhance their knowledge in botany. Also, colorful birds and butterflies around us created a lively atmosphere. The place was indeed a bird-watcher’s delight.

The property had several tree houses. Well, not exactly a house, but an open space built on top of a tree where you can enjoy a cup of coffee while watching birds. The jackfruit treehouse was the most fascinating one. We could actually touch and feel the massive jackfruits growing high on the tree.

As we moved on, we came in front of a beautiful building with wide wooden gates decorated with garlands. It was the Malnad Palace, a palatial structure built like the ancient Hoysala palaces of the royals. As we entered the building, a large open-air courtyard surrounded by the two-storeyed building on all three sides greeted our eyes. The pictures below describe what we saw.

Luckily for us, the day before a wedding had been held in the palace and the wedding party members had left, leaving the rooms empty. We requested our guide to show us the rooms which he readily did. We could not contain our excitement to see the rooms of this aesthetically designed palace. 

The rooms were indeed worth seeing. Each room had a unique design and a unique set of furniture. Every furniture piece was worth seeing. Everything was so magnificent that we could not but keep staring at the elegance around us.

We made up our minds that the next time we come here, we must stay at the Malnad Palace.

After exploring the palace to our full content, we exited it to move to the Jacuzzi Villas whose special attractions were the jacuzzis in the bathroom. These villas were also very beautiful and their furniture were all works of art. Greenery enveloped the villas from all sides. Never had the phrase “living in the lap of nature” felt so true as it did when we saw these villas at the Hoysala Village Resort. 

Although I am ending my post here, it is not the end of Day 1 of our visit to Hassan. More will follow soon…

Manipur Tour Part 5 -Remembering Netaji And Azad Hind Fauz In Manipur

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the great Indian freedom fighter, holds a special place in the hearts of all Indians. Many young men and women of India grow up idolizing him. While more of us relate him with Orissa and West Bengal, places associated with his early life, only a few know that he has also left an imprint of his love for his country in the remote northeastern state of Manipur.

To learn more about the relation between Netaji and Manipur, we traveled to Moirang from Imphal to visit the Indian National Army (INA) complex. 

Moirang is a small town of Manipur located about 45 km away from its capital Imphal. Moirang’s history is intertwined with the history of the Indian Independence Movement in a very special way. 

As our car stopped in front of the INA Complex, we could see a grand statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose standing inside the gates of the complex. After going inside, we were requested to submit our camera and smartphones at a kiosk and then ushered in to visit the museum inside. 

Being big admirers of Netaji, we could not hold back our excitement as we went in humming the tunes of “Kadam kadam badaye ja.”

Let me first brief you a bit on the history of this INA Complex before describing the actual place.

The Indian National Army or the Azad Hind Fauz as it was popularly called, was an armed force established to fight against the British Raj to free India from British rule. The Force was established by Rash Behari Bose, a revolutionary Indian freedom fighter. He later handed over the reins of this Army to Netaji who then led the force. 

On April 14, 1944, the Indian tricolor was unfurled for the first time on liberated soil. Netaji led the INA to defeat the British in Moirang and established a provisional independent government in the area. The flag of independent India was then hoisted in Moirang. 

Today, the INA headquarters in Moirang still stands although it was substantially damaged during a past earthquake. The museum where that we were visiting, however, was located at the spot where the INA members first hoisted the Indian tricolor.

As we wandered through the rooms of the INA museum, we saw many rare and special photographs of Netaji and other notable members of the Azad Hind Force. With the help of these photographs, numerous letters handwritten by Netaji, and other related artifacts we were able to trace the footsteps of Netaji as he bravely conquered all odds to earn freedom for his beloved nation. 

We also saw the map tracing Netaji’s journey in a German submarine for over three months from Germany to Singapore. 

The exhibits at the museum are arranged very wisely to produce imagery before your eyes about the activities of INA in Southeast Asia for the cause of India’s liberation. Netaji’s achievements as the INA leader are also portrayed excellently in the museum. Battles between the British and the INA forces at Imphal and Kohima have also been well-documented at the museum. 

Historians believe that the activities of Netaji and his INA were enough to rattle the British and force them to leave India for good.

As we swelled with pride about the brave sons of the India soil, we came out of the museum and stood at the very spot where the Indian tricolor was hoisted by the INA. It was another emotional moment for us as it reminds us of the immense sacrifices made by Indians for their country’s independence.

Afterward, we also visited the INA Complex Library which is a vast collection of literary works, both fiction and non-fiction, related to Netaji and the INA, India’s struggle for independence, the history of Manipur, and other aspects about Manipur. 

We returned to our car feeling very proud and content.  For all those who have grown up loving and admiring Netaji, we would suggest at least a one-time visit to this INA Museum in Manipur.

Also, Manipur is full of many other wonders which you can explore as mentioned below:

1. Manipur tour-part 1-Kangla Palace

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-1-visit-to-historic.html 
2. Manipur tour-part 2-Shree Govindajee Temple

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-2-visit-to-shree.html

3.  Manipur tour-part 3-Sadu Chiru Waterfall

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-3-visit-to-sadu-chiru.html

4. Manipur tour-part 4-Keibul Lamjao National Park, World's Only Floating National Park

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/03/visiting-the-worlds-only-floating.html

5. Manipur Tour Part 6: The Loktak Lake, A True Marvel Of Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/04/manipur-tour-part-6-loktak-lake-true.html

6. Manipur Tour-Part 7: Visiting The World's Oldest Living Polo Ground In Imphal

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/06/manipur-tour-part-7-visiting-worlds.html

Manipur Tour Part 4: Visiting The The World’s Only Floating National Park In Manipur

The World’s Only Floating National Park-Keibul Lamjao National Park 

Manipur is a land of secrets and the Keibul Lamjao National Park is just one of them. It is the “World’s Only Floating National Park.” It is just as true as it sounds. It is a national park that floats on the Loktak Lake!

When we visited Manipur, we knew that Loktak Lake was a must-see destination in the state. It is north-east India’s largest lake. We had seen so many images of the lake’s floating phumdis and read about its uniqueness, that it was the biggest attraction of Manipur for us. However, little did we know that there is another secret destination at the southern end of the park that is as fascinating as the lake. It is the Keibul Lamjao National Park.

Surrounded by hills and fishing villages, the Loktak Lake is located about two hours away from Imphal, the capital of Manipur. The lake is known for its phumdis which are floating islands composed of soil and organic matter in various stages of decomposition. Phumdis vary in size and shape and some are stable enough for the construction of small huts on them. These phumdis float on the surface of the Loktak Lake and when viewed from above, appears like rings of vegetation in the blue waters of the lake. 

On the southern end of Loktak Lake, these phumdis have accumulated over centuries to create a large grassy marshland of around 40 square km. The grassland is home to a large number of aquatic, semi-aquatic, and terrestrial species including the Sangai, a subspecies of the Eld’s deer or brow-antlered deer, an endangered species. The Sangai is the state animal of Manipur. It is found only in this marshy grassland of Loktak Lake. It was almost declared extinct in 1951 before it was rediscovered in 1953. 

Recognising the importance of protecting the Sangai’s natural habitat, the government of Manipur declared its homeland as a sanctuary in 1955 which was upgraded to a national park after 22 years. The park was named Keibul Lamjao or the “vast land of the tiger”. Despite the name, no tigers roam the park!

Today, the national park can be easily visited. You need to obtain your permits at the gate of the park and can carry your own vehicle inside the park. We visited the Keibul Lamjao in February. The weather was quite pleasant at that time. We booked a tour from Hotel Imphal to the national park. Once we entered the gates of the park, a guide of the park got into our vehicle and guided us through a low-hilly terrain to the top of a hillock. There, we parked our vehicle and were guided to a watchtower from where we could see the vast expanse of the grassy marshland of the Keibul Lamjao National Park that has an area of 40 square kilometers. 

As our eyes scoured the dense grassy vegetation of the park trying to spot its most prized inhabitant, our guide suddenly burst out in excitement. He pointed his fingers to where he could see the rare and elusive Sangai deer. The animals were so perfectly camouflaged in the vegetation that it took us some time to adjust our eyes to spot not one or two, but three Sangai deer, busy munching the soft grasses of the park. The Sangai, as our guide explained to us, is perfectly adapted to walk on the marshland created by the accumulated phumdis. It requires a phumdi of at least 75 cm thickness to support its weight.

When the guide offered us to take a boat ride through the floating national park, we could not contain our excitement. We climbed down the hillock to where the boats awaited us at the mouth of a narrow canal cutting through the phumdi vegetation. Our guide used a long bamboo pole to manoeuvre the narrow waterway. As we moved on, we observed the phumdi vegetation from up close. We were even provided the opportunity of stepping out of the boat onto the marshland at a place where our guide found it safe to land. It was a unique feeling indeed! The muddy ground below our feet felt a bit wobbly and we could feel the water pressure below. 

As we moved on, our guide explained about the need to save the Sangai. He told us how the natural habitat of the Sangai was in danger due to the flooding of the Loktak Lake because of the construction of Icthai Barrage downstream of the lake. The Forest Department of the Manipur Government worked hard to find a solution to the problem. They used bamboo shafts to pin the phumdis to the ground so that they did not move away and disintegrate due to increased water-levels in Loktak Lake. Their labor bore fruit and the habitat of the Sangai is now safe once more, at least for the time being. 

The Sangai Festival is held every year in November which is one of the best times to visit Manipur and its floating national park. The festival is held to attract tourists to the state and exhibit its natural beauty and rich, cultural heritage on a global platform. 

After our boat ride through the national park and learning about its unique story, we felt very happy that we had decided to visit this park. It is unlike any other national park in the world. Its habitat and inhabitants are all unique. It is truly one of the treasures that the world must conserve. For visitors looking for a new experience and an offbeat destination and also for those who love nature’s myriad forms, a visit to the Keibul Lamjao is a “bucket list must”!

To learn more about tourist destinations in Manipur, please visit:

1. Manipur tour-part 1-Kangla Palace

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-1-visit-to-historic.html 
2. Manipur tour-part 2-Shree Govindajee Temple

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-2-visit-to-shree.html

3.  Manipur tour-part 3-Sadu Chiru Waterfall

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-3-visit-to-sadu-chiru.html

4. Manipur tour-part 5-Remembering Netaji And Azad Hind Fauz In Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/03/remembering-netaji-and-azad-hind-fauz.html

5. Manipur Tour Part 6: The Loktak Lake, A True Marvel Of Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/04/manipur-tour-part-6-loktak-lake-true.html

6. Manipur Tour-Part 7: Visiting The World's Oldest Living Polo Ground In Imphal

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/06/manipur-tour-part-7-visiting-worlds.html

Manipur Tour-Part 3- A Visit To The Sadu Chiru Waterfall

The Indian state of Manipur, the “Jewelled Land” lives up to its name as it has many natural jewels that need to be uncovered. While on our way to the Loktak Lake, one of the state’s major natural attractions, we took a diversion on the way to visit one of the region’s most popular waterfalls, the “Sadu Chiru Waterfall.” The waterfall is located about 25 km from Imphal, the capital of Manipur.

After driving through a scenic route to reach the waterfalls, our driver parked the car at a clearing at the base of one of the hills. There we could see several shacks selling chips, soft drinks, and other snacks. Our driver informed us that we would need to take a short trek from the base to reach the waterfalls.

As we moved up the stairs carved through the mountain, we could hear the gurgling of the waters of the fall. On our right side, we could see the white waters of a mountain stream tumble and roll over the rocks of various sizes.

The sound grew louder and louder as we moved higher up through the mountain road. And lo and behold, there was the Sadu Chiru gushing down the steep rocky background of the mountain. There was magic in the moment. We stopped by for a few minutes to admire the falls and clicked pictures of the natural grandeur around us.

Our driver plus guide informed us that an even bigger waterfall lay higher above. However, my poor fitness level prevented us from moving any higher up.

One thing that saddened me about the visit, however, came from what I saw humans had done to this beauty of nature. All around the waterfall and also within its waters and on its rocks were garbage of all kinds. Empty soft drinks cans, chips packets, plastic bottles, plastic wraps, and what not! It shocked me to know that people can be so uncaring, so unreasonable. The natural beauty of the falls was marred by the actions of people. The pure waters were being polluted with the waste. It really was very disappointing to see the mess.

We drove back with mixed memories of the Sadu Chiru. I shudder to think what will be the scene at the site a few years from now if all this waste continued to accumulate. Also, the waste will be washed downstream during the rainy season and pollute rivers that it will enter which will ultimately enter our food chain.

Important Notes:

Please, note that you will need to move up several mountain steps to reach the waterfall. Hence, do not attempt it if you have any pain or injury in your legs.

Be careful during climbing to avoid slipping and hurting yourself. Wear proper shoes for the same.

Please do not dump any garbage in and around the waterfall.

All images by: Arijit Nag, copyright of Arijit Nag

1. Manipur tour-part 1-Kangla Palace

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-1-visit-to-historic.html


2. Manipur tour-part 2-Shree Govindajee Temple

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-2-visit-to-shree.html

3. Manipur tour-part 4-Keibul Lamjao National Park, World's Only Floating National Park

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/03/visiting-the-worlds-only-floating.html

4. Manipur tour-part 5-Remembering Netaji And Azad Hind Fauz In Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/03/remembering-netaji-and-azad-hind-fauz.html

5. Manipur Tour Part 6: The Loktak Lake, A True Marvel Of Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/04/manipur-tour-part-6-loktak-lake-true.html

6. Manipur Tour-Part 7: Visiting The World's Oldest Living Polo Ground In Imphal

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/06/manipur-tour-part-7-visiting-worlds.html

Manipur Tour-Part 2- A Visit To The Shree Govindajee Temple In Imphal

The Shri Govindajee Temple In Imphal/Pic:Arijit Nag

Manipur has a religiously diverse population. Around 41.39% of the people of the state are Hindus, primarily Vaishnavites (Vishnu or Krishna worshippers), nearly the same proportion of population adhere to Christianity. Indigenous folk religions are followed by around 8% of the population although many of the indigenous beliefs and practices are still part of the lives of many Hindu or Christian Manipuris. Only 8.4% of the population practice Islam. Other religions like Jainism, Buddhism, etc., are followed by the rest of the population.

With this background knowledge in mind, we visited the Shree Govindajee Temple in Imphal, the capital of the Indian northeastern state of Manipur. It is the largest Hindu Vaishnav temple in Imphal. 

History Of The Temple

Initially, the Govindajee Temple was built inside the Kangla Palace complex of Imphal. Maharaja Nara Singh, the former ruler of the Kingdom of Manipur, commissioned its building on January 16, 1846. The temple was dedicated to the royal deity of Shree Govindaji or Lord Krishna of Hinduism. An earthquake in 1868 badly damaged the temple structure and it had to be rebuilt again by Maharaja Chandrakriti who ruled between 1859-1886. The temple was, however, consecrated on 1876. Following the British occupation of the Kangla after the Anglo Manipur war of 1891, the rulers were forced to relocate their temple to a new location called Kongma. After a new palace was built in Imphal outside Kangla, Maharaja Churchand Singh once more relocated the temple from Kongma to the location of the new palace where it stands now. The temple was reconsecrated in 1908.

The Deities Of The Temple

The sanctum sanctorum or garbhagriha of the temple has Govindaji as the main deity. He is regarded to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Beside him is his consort, Radha. The central chamber is flanked by other chambers on either side. Inside the left chamber are the deities of Balabhadra and Krishna. The right-side chamber has Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balabhadra.

Structure Of The Temple 

The Congregation Hall Of The Temple/Pic:Arijit Nag

The Shree Govindajee Temple appears very elegant. The main temple building has two gold plated domes and a paved court. A massive, raised congregation hall or raised mantapa opposite the main temple building is used for cultural events and for seating the followers during the temple rituals. A landscaped garden surrounds the temple. 

Who Manages The Temple?




Previously, the temple was under the control of the Kings of Manipur. However, However, today the state’s Chief Minister is the president of the Board that manages the temple. The Board includes members from the priest community and other important people of the city.



Important Notes:

Try to visit the temple on a full moon night as the traditional Manipuri dance is performed at the temple every full moon night.

If you are visiting at other times, try to know about the temple timings so that you can watch some daily ceremonies or at least at times when the temple is open and the deities can be viewed.

You have to open your shoes and socks at the entrance to the temple, so wear shoes that are easy to open.

Respect the rules of the temple and enjoy the sights and sounds.



1. Manipur tour-part 1-Kangla Palace


https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-1-visit-to-historic.html

2. Manipur tour-part 3-Sadu Chiru Waterfall

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-3-visit-to-sadu-chiru.html

3. Manipur tour-part 4-Keibul Lamjao National Park, World's Only Floating National Park

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/03/visiting-the-worlds-only-floating.html

4. Manipur tour-part 5-Remembering Netaji And Azad Hind Fauz In Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/03/remembering-netaji-and-azad-hind-fauz.html

5. Manipur Tour Part 6: The Loktak Lake, A True Marvel Of Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/04/manipur-tour-part-6-loktak-lake-true.html

6. Manipur Tour-Part 7: Visiting The World's Oldest Living Polo Ground In Imphal

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/06/manipur-tour-part-7-visiting-worlds.html

Manipur Tour-Part 1- A Visit To The Historic Kangla Fort, Imphal

One of the entrances to the Kangla Palace/Pic: Arijit Nag

When we decided to travel to Manipur, people were quite taken aback. Many had much to say. Some warned us about dangerous militants prowling behind bushes ready to kidnap visitors given the slightest chance while others warned us about remote and dangerous places that must never be approached. While still others were quite sure that there is nothing of tourist interest in the Manipur. However, none of these people had ever set their foot on the “Jewelled Land.” All their knowledge had been gathered from rumors associated with the state by the people from the rest of India. We were, however, quite determined to visit the place and we never regretted the decision ever. 

On a January morning in 2019, we boarded the 9:05 Indigo flight (direct) to Imphal (the capital of Manipur) from Kolkata. We reached Imphal at around 10:30 am. Our pre-booked car and driver from Hotel Imphal were waiting at the exit gate of the airport. As we exited the airport, we were greeted by a bright and sunny winter morning. The weather outside was quite pleasant. The faces of the people around us were quite distinct from what we see in the rest of India. Soon our car was at the gate and we rode off into the unknown.

We reached our hotel, Hotel Imphal, in a matter of around 20 mins. The staff there were very warm and smiling. When we inquired about the touring Manipur, they provided us with a leaflet mentioning the itineraries and costs for the same. We saw the option of a city tour of Imphal and decided to go for it the very day. It cost around Rs. 1500 + taxes (car and driver)

After freshening up a bit, we boarded the car, and off we were. Until now, nothing that our well-wishers had warned us of earlier appeared to be applicable. The only thing we did notice was armed military personnel and vehicles in front of government buildings, at strategic points in the city, and other major private buildings, museums, etc.

Our first stop was the Kangla Fort and the article here is all about this first attraction of Imphal.

Kangla Fort or Kangla Palace can be regarded as the most important historic site of the state. It is from Kangla that Manipur developed its own distinct identity. The palace is located at the heart of the city of Imphal on the western banks of the Imphal River. The Meitei people, the dominant ethnic group in Manipur, trace their origins to the Kangla complex. It is from here that the Meitei rulers ruled over their kingdom. It is also believed to be the “cradle of civilization” by the locals of the region. The palace was built over many centuries by the various rulers who ruled over Manipur. 

The Kangla Sha statues inside the Kangla Palace. It is a mythical creature believed to be the Protector of the King and is the symbol of the Meities/Pic:Arijit Nag

As we entered the gates of this historic palace complex by paying an entry fee of only Rs. 10/- per head (for Indian nationals), we were directed to the Information Center for further information. We paid Rs.150/- per head to book a place in a buggy ride and a guide to take us around the place.

Kangla is not only the historical heart of Manipur but many of the state’s major religious developments started at the site. Today, one can see shrines of both the indigenous religion (Sanamahism) and the introduced religion (Hinduism) of the Meitei people at Kangla.

 

The Kangla Museum Building/Pic: Arijit Nag

There is also a museum at Kangla where one can find maps, images, and models explaining the history of Manipur. 

The Kangla Fort complex was ruled by many Manipuri rules over the course of time and their portraits are present in the museum. Over a period of centuries, the fort was attacked and invaded by many powers including the Burmese for a period of seven years in the 18th century. The period of Burmese rule in the region is labeled as the “Seven Years Devastation.”

The bungalow built and used by the British during their rule in Kangla/Pic:Arijit Nag

Manipur’s independence once more came under threat in the 19th century when the British took advantage of internal rivalries within the royal family of Manipur and invaded the region. The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 was the result of this British interference. Soon, the British used their diplomatic tactics to gain control of the region. They conquered 'Kangla Fort' on 27 April 1891 and many of the royals were publicly executed. The British posted the Security forces/Assam Rifles at Manipur to keep any rebellions under control. Later, as India earned its independence from British rule, Manipur also became independent of the British but was included as part of Indian territory. The Assam Rifles, now under Indian government, continued to hold their sway over Manipur till 2004. On this year, both the Kangla Fort and the rest of Manipur had its own state government elected by the people of the state. 

The Kangla has not only been the hub of political activities in Manipur but it has also been central to religious developments in the region. The indigenous Sanamahism religion was started by Kangla’s ancient rulers. In the later years, the rulers were influenced by Hinduism, especially Vaishnavism, and built a Hindu (Govindaji) temple in Kangla.

The Ruins Of The Former Govindaji Temple/Pic:Arijit Nag

Today, the descendants of Manipur’s rulers no longer live in Kangla but outside it. The Govindaji temple inside the fort has been shifted to another location. 

                                Sanamahism Temple Inside The Kangla Fort/Pic:Arijit Nag

However, the Sanamahism temple in the complex is still a living temple. 

You can visit both the past Govindajee temple and the living Sanamahism temple as part of your Kangla tour. 

The Deities At The Sanamahism Temple Inside The Kangla Fort

Today, Kangla is a historical site maintained by the state’s archeological department and would soon come under the control of the Archeological Survey of India.

After your tour of this fort, you can always sit down and enjoy some local snacks at the canteen inside the complex. Remember, they can be quite spciy and hot yet delicious!

1. Manipur tour-part 2-Shree Govindajee Temple

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-2-visit-to-shree.html

2. Manipur tour-part 3-Sadu Chiru Waterfall

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/02/manipur-tour-part-3-visit-to-sadu-chiru.html

3. Manipur tour-part 4-Keibul Lamjao National Park, World's Only Floating National Park

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/03/visiting-the-worlds-only-floating.html

4. Manipur tour-part 5-Remembering Netaji And Azad Hind Fauz In Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/03/remembering-netaji-and-azad-hind-fauz.html

5. Manipur Tour Part 6: The Loktak Lake, A True Marvel Of Manipur

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/04/manipur-tour-part-6-loktak-lake-true.html

6. Manipur Tour-Part 7: Visiting The World's Oldest Living Polo Ground In Imphal

https://oishimaya.blogspot.com/2019/06/manipur-tour-part-7-visiting-worlds.html

Itinerary: Day 2: A Tryst With India's Royalty, Heritage, Wildlife, And Ghosts

Itinerary: Day 2: A Tryst With India's Royalty, Heritage, Wildlife, And Ghosts

1. Wake up early in the morning (at about 5:30 am) and quickly get ready for a boat ride in the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Meet your naturalist guide in the reception area of the hotel and park at the gate of the bird sanctuary.

2. Take a brief walk from the gate to the boating area and interact with your knowledgeable guide about the history of the sanctuary and its inhabitants.

3. The boat ride, if taken early in the morning, will offer you a mesmerizing experience of being in the magical and mystical kingdom of nature. Just remain silent and soak in the atmosphere of the place. You will be able to witness the birds wake up from their slumber and flap their wings as get ready to welcome a new day. The fog surrounding you (if you go in winter) makes you feel like you are at the "end of the world". Come back from the dreamland to take a brief walk to the gate of the sanctuary.

Tips: Carry jackets or coats, gloves, and woollen cap in winter as the morning boat ride can be extremely chilly. Be careful about using your cameras as the mist might settle on your lenses. Know that it is difficult to capture photographs if it is foggy, hence just keep your cameras aside and enjoy the ambiance. You'll have plenty of time to capture the beautiful birds of the sanctuary the next day.

4. Come back to the hotel and enjoy a sumptuous complementary buffet breakfast. 

5. After your breakfast set out for the tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal of Agra. The ride takes about 1h 50 min from Bharatpur. Inform the travel desk beforehand to arrange for a guide with in-depth historical knowledge about Agra including the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort.

Important note: Never forget to carry your citizenship proof to the destination, even if you are Indian citizens, your id's might be inspected at the entrance. Also be careful about the rules for photography and do not click pictures where you are asked not to.

Tip: Since your visit to the Taj Mahal ensures you'll be clicking pictures of yourself in front of the incredibly beautiful marble facade of the Taj Mahal, try to dress appropriately so that you will look fit for royalty in your photographs in front of this historic monument. However, since a lot of walking is involved, try to wear shoes that are comfortable.

6. After your visit to the Taj Mahal, move on to the historic Agra Fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fort stores centuries of treasured history of India. It served as the residence of the Great Mughal emperors till 1638. 

7. Leaving the fort, move on to explore the streets of the city and the various handicrafts and special food treats of Agra. Make a visit to a workshop and store of Agra marble inlay work. Here, you will be able to watch craftsmen carry out the rigorous task of inserting colorful semi-precious stones on the marble surface to create vibrant and eye-catching flora designs and patterns. You will also have the opportunity of purchasing one of these products in the form of marble coffee tables to large dining tables or small sculptures. The work is quite expensive and a mid-size coffee table can cost you over 2,000 USD or over INR one lakh

Tip: Please, remember to bargain heavily to arrive at a reasonable price. Do not worry about carrying the item back with you as they ship the items to your address. However, they will ask you to make full payment before you receive your order. Hence, ensure that the store is legitimate.

8. Visit another store in Agra that displays zardozi wall hangings. You'll be amazed how beautiful they can be! These wall hangings also cost from a few thousand to a few hundred thousand but having one of them in your home will definitely invite praises about your decor style. 

Tip: Again, bargain, bargain, and bargain!

9. After your shopping is completed, visit a famous petha store in Agra and try out the delicacy sweet product that comes in a wide variety of flavors and compositions. Do not forget to pack home plenty for your friends and family as the petha can be stored for days at room temperature without decay. Well, we forgot all about lunch on our tour as we were so engrossed in the tour. However, please do not miss your lunch and ask your driver to take you to a decent place for your lunch. 

10. Finally, return back to the hotel after a day full of memories that are going to last forever.

Day 3: Coming soon....

To go back to Day 1, click here: http://oishimaya.blogspot.in/2017/07/itinerary-day-1-tryst-with-indias.html