Manipur State Museum

Established with the purpose of preservation and display of the rich culture of Manipur, Manipur State Museum was established in 1969. It is considered to be the best museum in the entire North East India. The artefacts showcased inside the museum speak oodles about the glorious history of the state. The museum is located near the polo ground and is a big hit with tourists. Different galleries inside the museum are dedicated to different aspects of the rich heritage of Manipur. Various cultures, archaeology, ancient articles and art forms of Manipur can only be seen here. Colourful handicrafts are also on display in this museum. One of the galleries of the museum is especially designed for the entertainment of children. Hiyang Hiren(the Royal Boat) which is 78 ft long is one of the main attractions of the museum. It is place in an open gallery.

The Manipur State Museum is playing an important role in preserving and promoting the heritage of Manipur by conducting various awareness camps and programmes, culture appreciation course, science fairs and thematic exhibition. The museum is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm on all days except Sundays and Government holidays.

Some of the items displayed in the Manipur State Museum are:

• Manipuri costumes
• War implements
• Historical documents and relics
• Sculptures of the local forest deities
• The motif of the Phakangba(the man who could turn himself into a dragon)
• Portraits of the erstwhile rulers