ABOUT MOIRANG

Moirang is a town in the Indian state of Manipur. It is situated approximately 45 km south of the state capital Imphal. It has an area of 269 km² with a population of 62,187 in 67 villages. It is best known for the being the place of origin of the 7 epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore. Colonel Shaukat Malik of the Indian National Army hoisted the Tricolour for the first time on Indian soil on 14 April 1944.

Loktak Lake, the biggest fresh water lake in the North East Indian region and Keibul Lamjao National Park are situated in this district. There are 12 Gram Panchayats in this block.

Moirang is located at 24.5°N 93.77°E.^[1] It has an average elevation of 766 metres (2513 feet). The monthlong Lai Haraoba festival held between mid-May to June originated from Moirang. The graceful Khamba Thoibi dance also originated here at Moirang.

Historically, the town of Moirang is famous for the ancient temple of the deity, Thangching (Thangjing) and the legendary love story of “Khamba Thoibi”. In a village named Ngangkhaleikai, the old cloth used by Khamba and Nongban are still preserved. The epic story of “Khamba-Thoibi” begins between a beautiful princess name Thoibi daughter of Wangon Ningthou Chingkhu Naha Telheiba, and an orphan man named Khuman Khamba. Khamba was raised up by her own sister when both their parents died when they were very young. Khamnu used to go around the village for pounding grain and lend a hand to others household works at her young age. In return she fed her brother from the less amount of grain that others paid in gratitude of helping to their household works. In ancient times, the king of Moirang was considered as the most powerful among the seven clan kings of Manipur. Till the end of Khamba-Thoibi era the Burmese King paid the annual war reparations money to the Moirang king.