Imphal War Cemetery

Along the National Highway No. 39 lies the Imphal War Cemetery that preserves the ashes of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the Second World War. At present, the cemetery preserves 1,600 burials that are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

The Imphal War Cemetery lies at a distance of  2 kilometers from the heart of the city of Imphal. Initially, the cemetery housed the graves of 950 soldiers. The administrative authorities of the cemetery brought in the graves of the soldiers placed in two other cemeteries of Imphal thereby increasing the total number to 1,600. The nearest landmark to the Imphal War Cemetery is the DM College which stands at a distance of 1 kilometer from the burial ground. The stone tombstones bear the epitaph that recounts the lives of the soldiers and their bravery in death. Some of these accounts are engraved on bronze plaques. The serene and tranquil atmosphere of the cemetery is well maintained by the commission. 

Imphal War Cemetery is an important memorial that retells the story of the horrific war that claimed the lives of several young soldiers. The peaceful cemetery is one of the popular tourist attractions of Manipur.

The British and Indian Army  cemeteries commemorationg those who  died in the second  world war are serene and wall maintained with little stone makers and  bronze  plagues recording the gloriues sacrifice of the heroes. These graves are maintained by the common wealth war graves commission Imphal.The easiest route from Burma (now Myanmar) to India is through Imphal into Assam and after the invasion of Burma, Imphal became a focal point in the defence of India against the Japanese. Early in 1942, as the Japanese approached Rangoon, a very large proportion of its Indian population fled from the city to India, many of them to Upper Burma and so by Chindwin tracks to Assam.

 In May of that year, Commonwealth forces followed the same route on their retreat to India. In their wake came still more civilian refugees, many of whom died on the arduous journey under ceaseless heavy rain, without transport and food. Of the 400,000 civilians who fled to India about 140,000 passed through Imphal into Assam. The defence of India and the retention of a position from which Burma could be re-entered now became of primary importance. 

The 23rd Indian Division was formed in Manipur State, new airfields were constructed there, and army and air force reinforcements arrived. Eventually there was a considerable concentration of Commonwealth fighting forces in the Imphal area and from November 1944 onwards, No. 38 General Hospital was posted there. Strategically well placed for attacks on the lines of communication by railway, road and river which were vital for the maintenance of all Allied operations in Burma, Imphal with its airfields was a main objective when the Japanese made their thrust towards India in the spring of 1944. There was severe fighting in the surrounding hills and on the outskirts of the plain and the Japanese succeeded in cutting a long section of the Imphal-Kohima road and holding it for over three months. 

The Fourteenth Army held on grimly, inflicting heavy punishment on the Japanese. Of all the battles on this frontier of India the siege of Imphal and its relief in the summer of 1944 rank next in importance to the Battle of Kohima. 

INA Memorial Moirang

The Indian National Army (INA) Complex is located at Moirang, a town in Bishnupur District, around 45 KM from Imphal. This complex has a historical significance and associated with a very important event in the Indian freedom struggle and World War II.

INA Martyrs Memorial complex at Moirang was established in 1985. The complex has a museum and a library. The complex has a statue of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and a museum which exhibits letters, photographs, badges of ranks and other articles associated with the INA movement. Tourists, particularly from Japan, regularly visit the memorial complex to pay homage to their forefathers who had lost their lives in Manipur during World War II. The Japanese government has decided to construct a hospital in the memory of their forefather who died in Manipur during the war. Since its inception, the office of the Memorial has been organizing annually the Birthday of Netaji (23rd January), Flag Hoisting Day (14th April), and the Azad Hind Hukumat Day.

Historical Background

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose motivated his young army possessed by the idea of total freedom to the motherland from the clutches of British. He form the Indian National Army also called as Azad Hind Fauj. Azad Hind's military forces in the form of the INA saw some successes against the British, and moved with the Japanese army to lay siege to the town of Moirang. This is the first place in Indian soil where Netaji hoisted the Indian tri-color flag for the first time in April 14,1944, and Moirang became the unofficial headquarters of INA. Plans to march towards Delhi, gaining support and fresh recruits along the way, stalled both with the onset of monsoon season and the failure to capture Imphal. British bombing seriously reduced morale, and the Japanese along with the INA forces began their withdrawal from India. This Place in Moirang where Netaji unfulred the Indian flag first time had been later developed as INA Complex.

The Museum in the INA Complex

The Complex has a life size statue of Netaji and a Memorial Musuem. The Museum displays various letters, photographs, badges of ranks and other memorabilis reminding the noble sacrifices made by the INA.

Tourists, particularly from Japan and England, regularly visit the memorial complex to pay homage to their forefathers who had lost their lives in Manipur during World War II. The Japanese government have come one step forward to construct a Hospital in the memory of their forefather who died in Manipur during the war.

The Union Tourism Ministry has recently sanctioned the first installment of `12 crore for upgradation of the 'Indian National Army memorial complex mega project', at the popular tourist destination in Moirang near Imphal, Manipur. The total cost of the project is pegged at `25 crore.

RKCS Art Gallery : One the of Finest art gallery in India

RKCS Art gallery is one of premier art gallery in Northeastern India founded by legendary RKCS (Rajkumar Chandrajitsana singh) in 1990 but officially as full flegded gallery, the RKCS ART GALLERY was inaugurated on 5th May 2003 by Orissa Governor M.M Rajendran as Chief guest, Manipur Governor Ved Marwah as President, Chief Minister of Manipur O. IBOBI and State Art and Culture Minister Dr M.Nara Singh as Guests of honor.

RKCS ART GALLERY a dream project of RKCS, his objective to leave out a worthwhile contribution for the people and foreign visitors had endeavored untiringly to establish a fascinating art house.

One of most outstanding achievements of Shri RKCS is the completion of an ambitious project of depicting the history of Manipur (1709-1949). After 10 years of hard works including research with eminent scholars of Manipur. The paintings recount main events of about 240 years of Manipur beginning with a historical episode of 1709 and closing with one of most memorable event, the merger agreement of Manipur with India 1949. And Many number of works on mythological and cultural subjects. His dream of Recording old such events for posterity.

Now RKCS art gallery has become a tourist attraction spot and has been attracting high dignitaries and persons of eminence from far and wide.

RKCS is no more today but his paintings are alive to tell stories from the pages of Manipur’s history and cultures. Lively with living colors and tone, expression and idiom. The art gallery is being maintained and cared for by RKCS museum of art and crafts. The doors are wide open to anyone interested in experiencing the creative genius of artist. Now the gallery have collected more than 500 objects of art works of RKCS.


ABOUT RKCS

Born on October 13, 1924 at Keishamthong Longjam Leirak In Imphal, Shri Rajkumar Chandrajitsana singh - a popularly known as RKCS – is a household name in the domain of Fine arts in Manipur.

Son of Shri Rajkumar Yumjaosana Singh (1870-1954), one of the pioneer artists in Manipur, RKCS started his career as an apprentice to his talented father during the period of 2nd World war.

In 1947 RKCS established his art studio under the title of “The RKCS,Chitralaya” which has become an alma mater for serious professional artists in Manipur. Remarkable for realistic and imaginative portrayal, RKCS’s paintings covers a wide range of subjects that has been received well by the public as well as by connoisseurs within and outside the state. During the span of sixty five years, he has executed more than ten thousands number of works on mythological, historical and cultural subjects with vigour and vivacity, and distinguished himself as a portrait painter.

RKCS paintings had been exhibited throughout India over the years to benefit the cultural heritage of Manipur, its people and several non-profit organizations.

RKCS died on November 20, 2004. His death happened on a historic day for Manipur when Government of India handed Kangla palace over to people. For RKCS, it was the realization of yet another dream. His last painting on Kangla was presented to Shri Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India as a state gift to mark the historical event. It was a tribute to his love for Kangla- a subject very close to his heart.

RKCS paintings have been collected by persons coming from different part of world. Many of his works have either been gifted to or collected by various distinguished individuals and institutions in India and abroad. RKCS’s paintings on different subjects were presented to former Presidents of India, Shri Giani Zail singh, Shri R.S Venkataraman, Shri K.R Narayanan, Shri A.P.J Abdul Kalam and to former Prime Ministers Shri Rajiv Gandhi, Shri I.K.Gujral, Shri H.D Gowda, Shri Atul Bihari Vajpayee and Shri Dr. Manmohan Singh and Smt Sonia Gandhi Chairperson UPA government by the Government of Manipur during their visits to the State and Ambassadors of many Nations also collected his paintings. Today his name has become almost an institution.


"I have lots of things to do. I dream of restoring the lost culture through paintings. I dream of recording of such events for posterity." -- RKCS

Keibul Lamjao National Park

Keibul Lamjao National Park is located in the Bishnupur District and covers an area of about 40 sq. km. This park is known for being the only Floating National Park of the world and is the last natural habitat to Sangai, a Brow-antlered deer.

This park was declared as a National Park on 28th March, 1977 and has semi evergreen forest comprising of aquatic, wetland and terrestrial environment. The park has numerous endangered animal species along with diverse population of fauna including hog deer, viper, krait, cobra, python, Sangai, Indian civet cat and common otter.

The flora of this National Park mostly comprises aquatic plants such as Zizania latifolia, S. Bengalensis, Eiranthus procerus, Cynodon dactylon, Saccharum munja and Alpinia galanga. Among other plants, there are Eichornia crossipes, Hedychium coronarium, Nelumbo nucifera, Phragmites karka and Dioschoria bulbifera.

The best time to visit Keibul Lamjao National Park is during the months from October to April. To reach the Keibul Lamjao National Park, tourists can board private as well as public buses from the Imphal Bus Terminus which is located near the Ima Women Market.

Sangai: The brow-antlered deer

The brow-antlered deer, locally called Sangai is one of the most localized deer of the world. It is found only in the swampy habitat of Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur. The deer is peculiar in having a pair of ‘arc’ shaped antlers on tha pedicles. Standing height of an adult male reaches upto 120 cm. and a female 1005 cam. Rutting season of Sangai extends from late January to a little over the end of March. It is a monoesterus deer, and a doe gives a fawn during October – November, after a gestation period of 245-273 days

According to the latest count by the forest department, Government of Manipur, 149 heads of Sangai are surviving in the Keibul Lamjao National Park. They are facing the all round threatening factors of destruction of the feeding and breeding ground areas. Outside Manipur, more than 100 specimens of sangai are found as captive in various Zoos of the country. Delhi zoo hosts maximum numbers of captive sangai, the Wildlife Institute of India has taken a conversation programme, in which the Sangais (from captive stocks, say from Delhi, Calcutta or other zoos of the country) are to be introduced in the proposed second home located at Pabitora in Assam. In the first phase, herds each consisting of 5 males and 10 females from the zoo population will be kept in the enclosers for 3-4 years. This will help in increasing the numbers and after the stipulated period, the enclosers will be removed and sangai will be released. The species is a critically endangered now.

Khwairamband Bazar

An excellent example of the matriarchal society of the state of Manipur is reflected in the Khwairamband Bazar. It is run by a total number of 3000 women who operate the business transactions of the market. Various local products are sold in the market by the local women who are referred to as the Imas, meaning mothers.

The Khwairamband Bazar is centrally located in the capital city of Imphal. The market place is divided into two sections. On one side of the market, the women sell the handloom products that make excellent collectible items for the tourists who visit the state of Manipur. On the other side of the road lies the vegetable market, where fruits and fishes are also sold. Cosmetics, household utensils and jewelry are found in this section of the market. The handicrafts found in the Khwairamband Bazar of Manipur also contain the plaited osiers that are a specialty of the region.

A legendary belief lingers in the society of Manipur that the women marketeers of the Khwairamband Bazar are supervised by the Ima Goddess. The market, therefore, is also popular as the Ima Market. On some occasions, it is also referred to as the Keithel. The market remains open on all days from 7 A.M in the morning to 7 P.M in the evening. With 3000 women marketeers, the Khwairamband Bazar is reputed to be one of the largest women-oriented markets of the country. The bazaar is an immensely popular tourist attraction in Manipur.

Lord Govinda Temple

Shri Govindaji Temple

It was during the reign of the King Bhagyachandra that most of the hindu religion advanced in Manipur.This Govinda temple is the live example of the hindu culture of that time.The dome shape roof of the temple,the huge rounded pillars and various other features of the temple exhibited the architecture skills of the time.
This is the golden temple of Imphal, which is an important Vaishnavait centre. This temple is dedicated is Lord Krishna also popularly called 'Govinda'.

Shri Govindaji temple is the house of four deities, who are actually common forms of the one and only- Lord Vishnu, Preserver of the Hindu trinity. Inside this temple a shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu is placed, with those of Balaram and Krishna on one side, and of Lord Jagannath on the other side. Prayers and dances on the Krishna theme are held here regularly.

Structurally, this temple consists of two golden ceremonial domes and a huge raised hall. It is situated in the heart of the town adjoining an old palace, and is highly revered by the people of Manipur.

Langthaband: Langthabnand is an historic palace situated on the Indo-Burma road, in the hilly terrenes of Imphal. This ancient palace is nestled among formally planted pine and jack fruit trees and also houses a number of house and temples. Over looking the University of Imphal, this place is located at a distance of 8 km., from it.