Manipur  *

 

 

    Manipur finds mention in the pre-historic Indian epic Mahabharat and has a rich history preserved in oral folk tradition. It came under the British rule in 1891. Manipur is bound in the north by Nagaland, Mizoram in the south, Upper Myanmar in the east and Assam in the west. It is the home of the Shiroy Lily – the Paradise Flower – not found any where else in the world, and also of the brown antlered deer a rare specie.

The main crop of the state is paddy. Maize is cultivated in the foothills.

 

    Handloom textiles are the largest industry. A TV assembly unit and a cycle assembly unit have been set up recently. Manipur was the first to introduce Oak Tussar silk manufacture.

 

    Manipuri Dance has a distinct graceful style and the compositions are based on the Ras Leela of Lord Krishna.

 

    Among the places of tourist interest are the Bishnupur Temple built in the 15^th Century, Loktak – the largest fresh water lake in east India, Keibul Lamjao – the only floating national park in the world.