Senapati district General information
History
The Senapati District was earlier known as Manipur North District which came into existence wef 14 November 1969 with its headquarters at Karong. Later the district headquarter was shifted to Senapati on 13 December 1976. The District came to be known as Senapati District wef 15 July 1983. The District is endowed with kaleidoscopic landscape of blue hills, green valleys, serpentine streams and rivers flowing through mountains and deep gorges. Rich varities of flora and fauna adorn the land. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people and terrace cultivation is generally practiced by the people. Paddy, Maize, Cabbage, Potato, cereals are the main crops of the District. 80% of the area is covered by forest and remaining 20% is arable land.
Location
The Senapati District is located in the northern part of Manipur. It is bounded on the east by Ukhrul District, on the west by Tamenglong District, on the north by Phek District of Nagaland and on the south by Imphal East District and Imphal West District. The District is at an altitude varying from 1061 m to 1788 m above sea level. The hills run along the north south direction and gradually slope down towards south and meet the Imphal valley.
Festivals
Thounii : The new year cultural festival of Poumai Nagas is celebrated on 5 January to mark cultural resurgence, social interaction, family reunion.
Laonii : The sacred festival of Poumai Nagas is celebrated on completion of paddy transplantation which usually falls in the last forthnight of July. A festival of male sanctification, this is an occasion to interact and renew ties with brothers and sisters.
Chiithuni : The six day annual festival of Mao Nagas celebrated from 25th day of Chuthunikhro (Dec-Jan), meaning ‘feast of dawn’, is an occasion to rejuvenate the cultural heritage of the Mao Nagas.
Saleni : It is a customary festival of Mao Nagas, celebrated in the month of Salekhro (July) on completion of paddy transplantation. The whole menfolk have to purify themselves by taking bath early in the morning in the pond.
Ponghi : The seven day customary festival of Maram Nagas is celebrated on 20th day of Ponghi -kii (July) on completion of paddy transplantation.
Kanghi : The seven day customary festival of Maram Nagas held in the month of Kanghi-kii (December). Wrestling is played during the festival in the Khullakpa’s compound in stark naked to get shy away the devils so as to obviate misfortune and injury.
Tourist Place
Senapati : A new township and District Headquarters, Senapati is 62 km from Imphal. More than 30 government offices are located in the district headquarters. People of various ethnic communities are enjoying harmonious life in the town.
Maram Khullen : One of the biggest villages in the district, Maram Khullen is a very old and primitive village. It is an attractive destination for the anthropologist, research scholar and the like.
Yangkhullen : Yangkhullen is the largest Zemei village loated 47 km from Maram Centre in Peren road. The primitive social and economi life is still prevailing in the village. It is situated amidst the steep cliff of beautiful landscape.
Mao : The last town of Manipur bordering Nagaland state, 107 km from Imphal and 28 km to Kohima, Mao is a very busy town. It is the granary of the surrounding villages and the gateway of the state.
Liyai : The village, 33 km from Tadubi towards the east is the home of various historical places like the stone monolith, the water pools, the Banyan tree, the male house and female house. The river Barak originates from the village.
Makhel : Makhel is a sacred place for many ethnic communities where they settled and migrated long back. There are historical monuments like i) The sacred Banyan trees which are believed to have grown from the tomb of the Nagamother. ii) The farewell monolith. iii) The triomonolith (3 km south to Makhel). iv) The dispersal tree at Sajouba (2 km north to Makhel). v) The hailstorm stone. vi) Village settlement stone. vii) The lucky stone etc.
Dzuko Valley : A most enchanting place, the valley can be reached by trekking from the border town of Mao. One can observe snowfall in winter and budding flowers of Dzuko lily in spring season.
Purul : 19 km from Maram in NH 39, Purul is the home of indigenous games Toutou and wrestling. Toutou is played during New Year festival and wrestling is traditionally played on the eve of paddy transplantation festival which is known as Paoki falling in the first fortnight of May.