Bishnupur (also known as Bishenpur), is a town in Bishnupur district in the state of Manipur, India. It derived its name from an ancient Vishnu temple located in the town. Bishunupur is the administrative headquarters of Bishnupur District. It was once the capital of the kingdom of Manipur.In ancient times, Tongjei Maril (literally ‘tubehole’) through Bishnupur was the sole road linking Manipur with the rest of India. Bishnupur was one of the sites of the World War II where fierce fightings between the Allied Forces and the Japanese Forces took place. The British war hero, Major-General Orde Wingate
HOW TO REACH
By Air:-
Imphal has its own Airport named as Imphal Airport. It has regular flights to Aizawl, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata and Silchar. The second nearest International Airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, roughly 490 Kms from Imphal. Scheduled flights are available from cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Imphal, Agartala, Pune and Kolhapur.
By Road:-
Imphal is 63 Kms from Churachandpur, 65 Kms from Noney, 138 Kms from Kohima, 210 Kms from Dimapur, 264 Kms from Silchar, 413 Kms from Aizawl, 585 Kms from Itanagar, and 539 Kms from Shillong and is well connected through Manipur State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and some private bus operators .
By Train:-
The nearest Railway Station is Dimapur Railway Station which is connected to the major cities of Nagaland. It is linked with the cities like Mariani, Guwahati, Kolkata and Kamakhya through Jan Shatabdi Express, Jttn Intercity and Ghy Intercity.
WHAT TO SEE
Vishnu temple:-
The Vishnu temple is a symbol of the remains of the ancient times. The temple is a protected historical monument under the ministry of HRD (Archeology) Government of India. According to history King Kymba wanted to conquer Kyang, a Shan kingdom.He attacked Kyang along with the king of Pong. After the battle was won the area was divided between the two kings.King Pong gave an idol of lord Vishnu to Kymba. Kymba kept the idol at Lumlangdong. Kymba built the Vishnu temple at Bishnupur.
Ebudhou Thangjing temple:-
Every year traditional Moirang lai Haraoba is celebrated in the month of May. During this festival people from all over the state gather to seek blessing of Ebudhou Thangjing. The festival continues for a month. On every Sunday a mega dance and songs programme is organized.
INA Memorial:-
INA Memorial is situated at Moirang. The Moirang town is important from the perspectives of the Indian freedom struggle and the II World War. It was at Moirang that the flag of the Indian National Army was first unfurled on April 14, 1944 by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Moirang became the official headquarter of the INA. The place latter developed as INA complex. The complex has a life style statue of Subhash Chandra Bose and a memorial museum.The Museum contains the letters, photographs and badges of ranks and other memorabilia of the sacrifice made by the INA.The complex is visited by a large number of tourists every year mainly from Japan and England to pay homage to those killed in the War.
Phubala Resort:-
The Phubala Resort is situated on an island on the western side of the Loktak lake. It is connected to the mainland by a low causeway.Boating and other water sports facilities are available in the resort. The resort offers a wonderful view of the Loktak lake. There is also a tourist bungalow in the place.
Maibam Lotpa Ching:-
Maibam Lotpa Ching is a hillock situated on Imphal-Moirang road in Bishnupur district. It is a spot where the battle between the British and the Japanese was fought in World War II. It is regarded as a holy place. There is a monument named India Peace Memorial in the place which is dedicated to the war martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the battle. The monument was sponsored by the Japanese government.
Moirang:-
Moirang is a city and municipal council in Bishnupur district. The Moirang CD Block came into existence in 1985.The town is famous for the ancient temple of lord Thangjing. The khamba-Thoibi dance originated at Moirang. During World War II Moirang was the headquarter of Azad Hind Fauz. It was at Moirang that the flag of the Indian National Army was first unfurled on April 14, 1944.
Nambol:-
Nambol is a city and municipal council in Bishnupur district. It is one of the educational hubs of the Bishnupur district.The most important festivals of Nambor are Lai Haraoba celebrated atop the Khoriphaba hill.The Maibam Lokpa Hill is famous for being the place of the Indo-Japanese War, 1944.
The Japan War Memorial at Nambol Maibam Lokpa hill is an ideal tourist destination.
Ningthoukhong:-
Ningthoukhong is a municipality and an important commercial centre. The NHPC project is sourced through a cannel from Ningthoukhong.Meitei are the main inhabitants of the area. The Hindu temples – Gopinath mandir and Radha mandhop are located in the town.The town has historical importance. During the World War II the town was the central point of battle between the British and the Indian National Army andJapanese soldiers.
Loktak lake:-
Loktak lakeThe Loktak lake is the largest fresh water lake in the northeast India. It is situated at Moirang in Bishnupur. It is the only floating lake in the world due to the floating phumdis. Phumdis are heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil and organic matter at various stages of decomposition.They occupy almost half of the area of the lake. The lake was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990.
Keibul Lamjao National Park:-
Keibul Lamjao national parkThe Keibul Lamjao National Park is situated at Bishnupur and 50 km from Imphal. It is situated on the border of the Loktak lake. It is the only floating national park in the world. It also has the distinction of being the last natural habitat of the‘Sangai’- the dancing deer or Eld’s Deer or Brow Altered Deer of Manipur. Dancing deer is the national animal of Manipur.
Fauna:-
The park is the last natural habitat of the Sangai- the dancing deer.Mammals found in the park are hog deer, otter, wild boar, fox, jungle cat, golden cat, sambar, among others.Among the vertebrates fishes including channa striatus, channa punctatus and so on are found in the park.Amphibian and reptiles of the park include keel black tortoise, viper, krait, Asian rat snake, python, and so on. Python molurus, an endangered species, is found in the park.
SHOPPING:-
Shopping in Bishnupur can be fun and exciting, as there are a range of items that you can buy in Bishnupur. Bankura Horse, Baluchari Saris, Conch shell beads, Dokra items and ‘Dash Avatar’ playing cards are some of the things that you may buy from Bishnupur.
FOOD:-
Bishnupur is a small town. One can find various small eateries in and around the temples as well as near the main bus stand. However, one should try Posto-r Bora, if you visit Bishnupur You may also try various fried food like Chicken Chops & pakodas, several other “chops” made from potato, brinjal etc., chicken rolls, chow mein etc. which is good, filling and tasty as snacks in a small shop (of about 100 sq. ft/10 sq. mtr) on the right hand side, between Hotel Laxmi Park and SBI which is a 50 metre strip, just after you cross Hotel Monalisa keeping it to your left, near a crossing with traffic lights 30 metres off Jadubhatta Mancha (or auditorium); the quality of cooking medium used is good.