Moirang

Moirang used to be the focal point of Manipur’s early Meitei culture. Located 45 km from moirang, the town has an ancient temple of the pre-Hindu deity Lord Thangjing. Every May, men and women, dressed in colourful traditional costumes sing and dance during the Lai Haraoba ritual dance festival to honour the deity.

Moirang played an important role during India’s freedom struggle. The flag of the Indian National Army (INA) was first raised at Moirang on April 14, 1944. At the INA Museum you’ll discover a host of letters, photographs, badges of ranks and other memorabilia of the martyrs of the INA (headquartered here during World War II) who fought under the dynamic leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose against the Allies.