Imphal And The Beautiful Manipur

I am somewhere near Imphal but never really got a chance to see the city. So its great when you have guests come over and my in laws coming from Jaipur- a city where you just don't see the lush green mountains like you see in Manipur. And this was great option for a quick get away. And since we had a home here, it adds to the pleasure of having a grandson to play as well. 

We started to explore the beautiful Manipur and though it's not a hot tourist place in India, we did end up having loads of fun. 

Khuga Dam

Started as to provide electricity and water to the villages around, Khuga dam has a beautiful picturesque location with tiny villages occupying the hills around. The locals catch fish here and you can see a solitary gondolas sometimes making tours around the lake. We went for boating here and it was fun to have a little picnic too.

A View from the boat

The Lone Fisherman

Kangla Fort

Kangla fort was earlier the palace of Imphal. There is Imphal river surrounding the palace, beautifying the remains of this fort. As you go inside, the premises spread really wide and you can visit the Govindji temple inside.

Govindji Temple

World War II Cemetery

The moment you enter the cemetery, you are awed by how well-kept the memorial has been maintained and a sense of peace prevails as you go around the grave and read the heartfelt epigrams. And when you notice how young they must have to give up their lives, it's really heartbreaking. Visitors, relatives come all over the world to pay their respects to their ancestors and you get quiet a crowd them they hold a formal ceremony once in a year. 

The cemetery looks calm

Loktak Lake

Floating islands

The lake is the most beautiful sight you would come across and it's known for the floating islands all over it. There is also a tiny house on the floating island that moves with the wind. It has commercial boating facilities where one could go and have a great experience on this lake. If you want to get a bite then "Classic" has come up with a resort and a restaurant on the hill that gives you an amazing view. 

The view of loktak late in the evening

Shopping

The best part about going to Imphal was getting my shopping done. I had a difficult choice in choosing what I wanted because you see a spread of colors in front of you. The handloom is really popular and there are choices from Manipur silk and cotton sarees, Mekhlas (wrap-arounds), House- gowns, Suit pieces in cotton and silks, Bedsheets, ties. 

The manipuri embriodary that actually costs you an arm and a leg 

A Christian Manipuri Wedding- A Photo Essay

This was the first time I ever attended a wedding in Manipur. And this Christian wedding was simple and elegant with lots of good wishes from their friends and relatives. I took some pictures while witnessing this event. It was so unlike any Christian wedding you would ever see in other parts of India. And yes, the bride wore white with sarwoski crystals.

Pledging to each other

After the wedding vows

The wedding guests

The Army Band playing for the couple

Reception

When we adopted a Dog

Woody and Vivaan getting acquainted

When you adopt a dog in the army...the whole concept of taking care of a dog takes on a new turn. We just added Woody to our lil family of 'Singh'. Already living in Manipur was making life a monotonous affair. So the lil dog, brown fuzzy brown of cuteness was going to change our lives. With Vivaan already we had compromised a lot with sleep and given half our lives to him, how much trouble can a dog be? Turns out, its a full time responsibility too. You gotta train the guy and make him pee outside or else your house is just ruined mess of stink.  The sleeping pattern didn't match either. You just gotta make him learn to relax when you are on off mode. My motive in life soon became to teach Woody to sit. To my wonder Vivaan taught him to fetch ball. Now that was some accomplishment. When nights with the month old Woody became tough, we promptly handed him to our sahayak. He maintained his timings to eat and to walk. 

In search of some mischief

And when it came time to play Vivaan and me just couldn't stay away from his enthusiastic licks of affection. Sometimes when i sit and relax, he comes over and takes his place on my lap as if he had all the right in the world. Perhaps it was his place because i found myself relaxing in his warmness and his ever loving eyes. He is three months old and making lives a bit different than we were used to.

Well he is playful and it takes it difficult to say no at times. Vaccinated and all dogs do get jealous and with Vivaan being my baby, he scratched him badly. It wasn't a fun ride to the hospital believe me and we had to calm our boy down with chocolates and hot wheels. We had to get him give anti rabies injection too. Perhaps i regretted having a dog when i heard my son cry.

But noone gives up on family, do they?

And we didnt. We are just a little bit stern with both of them now. And the playtime is just stuck to fetching ball now or running after it. Anyways excitement never ceases to end and we got a few rabbits too who mostly stay put in their house we made. From a city girl to a full time mommy and part time writer now, i certainly have my hands tied up in knots.