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
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
4. Manipur tour-part 5-Remembering Netaji And Azad Hind Fauz In Manipur
5. Manipur Tour Part 6: The Loktak Lake, A True Marvel Of Manipur
6. Manipur Tour-Part 7: Visiting The World's Oldest Living Polo Ground In Imphal
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