Nestling deep within a lush corner of north east India, Manipur is a vibrant mosaic of traditional and cultural patterns. It boasts of exotic landscapes with gently undulating hills, emarald green valleys, blue lakes and dense forests.The people and the tribes of Manipur include Meities, Nagas , Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups and other colourful communities.

Bound by the states of Nagaland, Assam and Mizoram, Manipur shares an international boundary on the east with Myanmar. It is geographically divided into two distinct tracts - hills and plains. Predominantly a hill state, it is watered by the rivers Imphal, Iril, Thoubal, Irang and Barak, all of which flow from north to south. The characteristics of Manipuri people vary according to these geographical divisions. The plains are inhabited by Meities, while Kukis and Nagas occupy the hills.

The Manipur valley was remote, inaccessible and existing in isolation and yet migratory movements of Aryans from the west and Mongoloid people from south-east-Asia billowed back and forth through the terrain of the valley. Some of them settled down with the original inhabitants, the Nagas. Out of this amalgam was born a society known as Meities.

Originally a princely state, Manipur was ruled by a succession of kings, who were descendants of Pakhangba, an Indian adventurer. The dynasty reigned uninterrupted for a long time till Manipur was made an integral part of the Indian Union in 1949.

The handlooms and handicrafts of Manipur which include Bedcovers, Paper machio, Decorative dolls, Scarves and Shawls mane an enchanting collection. Manipuri dance, a classical style with its coloyrful settings and relegious inspiration relating to Raas-Leela, the love story of Radha and Krishna is a rare treat for the eyes. Dol Yatra (Holi) in March and Rath Yatra in June-July are the major festivals of Manipuris.

Major tourist attractions include National Army museum at Moirang, where Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian tricolor for the first time on Indian soil after leading the combined Japanese and INA troops into Kohima and lmphal during World War II, the Loktak lake and Moreh town on the Indo-Myanmar border and Keibal Lanjao National Park known for brow–antlered deer.