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The
Temples
In the town of Bisanpur is a Vishnu Temple dating back to the 16th
century. The structure is domelike with semicircular arches converging
at the top. On the banks of the Imphal river is Sri Hanuman Thakur
temple in the middle of forest groves – the Mahabali forest. It dates
back to the early 18th century. On the roof there is a double lotus
crown with jars or kalasas resting on it. The roof is barrel shaped.
The Hanuman image has been carved out of one stone. It is the only
pointer to the Ramanandi cult that once held sway.
The Thangal temple
of Wangkhai is in locality of the same name in Imphal. It was bult by
Thangal general in the late 19th century. The temple is on a raise
platform that is square. On the ground in the four corners is a replica
of a Bengal hut type of temple.
Also in Imphal is
the Lord Sanamahi temple of the late 19th century. Prayers are offered
twice at dawn and sunset. There is a weekly puja every Tuesday and the
annual festival of Honjjungha is held in September.
The main temple of Sri Govindaji is in Imphal adjacent to the royal
palace. The temple grounds cover a garden or vatika, a lake and
spacious grounds dotted with tall trees. The temple looks like a palace
and is the biggest temple in Manipur, with a golden dome flying a holy
flag.
The Leimapokpam Keirungba temple is a little distance away on the
Manipur State Road. There are floral motifs showing advancement in
style. The Radharaman temple of Kanchipur is on the ridge of a hill
near Manipur University. It was built in the early part of the 20th
century and points to the continued influence of Vaishnavism.
The Lord Krishna
temple of Brahmpur Leikai is also on the banks of the Imphal River and
dates to the first decade of the 18th century. The circular crown on
top carries two jars on top of each other with or wheel on the
pinnacle.
A survey of the innumerable temples of Manipur brings to focus the
history of the land.
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