Andaman Nicobar
Andra Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Bengal
Bihar
Chandigarh
Chattisgarh
Dadar Nagar Haveli
Daman Diu
Goa
Gujarat
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu Kashmir
Jharkhand
Karnataka
Kerala
Lakshdweep
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
New Delhi
Orrisa
Poondicheri
Punjab
Rajasthan
Sikkim
Tamilnadu
Tripura
Uttar Pradesh
uttaranchal
West Bengal
more places 
Churchandpur Manipur
Introdoction :: Churchandpur district was carved out of the erstwhile South District of Manipur. The district is credited to be one of the rapidly burgeoning districts of Manipur. The district headquarter of Churchandpur is one of the most well developed towns in Manipur.Churachandpur district encompasses an area of 4570 sq. km in the southwestern extremity of Manipur and extends across the latitudinal parallels that spans between 23°55' and 24°30' North on one hand and the longitudinal meridians that stretch from 92°59' East and 93°50' East on the other. Although the topography comprises of rugged terrains, the district has a total population of 2, 23,866. The district also records a literacy rate at 64.38%. Another interesting feature of the demography of Churchandpur district is that the population is dominated by women, the male-female ratio being 1000 males per 1034 females. The economy of the district is essentially agrarian and is supplemented by animal husbandry as well as other allied industries. The populace is a wonderful montage of the Kuki, Naga, Mizo, Zomi and Chin tribes as well as other smaller communities who live in mutual harmony.Churchandpur district owes its nomenclature to a local term that means roads that meet at a mouth. This unique name can be ascribed to the cosmopolitan culture of the hilly district of Manipur. Indeed, a visit to the paradisiacal Churchandpur opens up a treasure trove of peerless tourist delights.
GEOGRAPHIC ::
Churachandpur District, in the southwestern corner of Manipur, has an area of 4570 sq.km. Its location is 23055' to 24030' North and 92059' to 93050' East. It is a hilly district with a very small percentage of the area being plain. As per the 1994-95 satellite imagery, the total built up area is 6,726 Ha. ( Urban - 585 Ha. and Rural - 6,141 Ha.) and the cropland area is 9,928 Ha. A large portion of the area is either under current jhum or abandoned jhum: 29,323 Ha and 190,447 Ha. respectively. There is no primary forest in the district and the secondary forest including mixed bamboo forest, covers an area of 118,092 Ha. The area under wasteland is 98,424 Ha. and the total area of the water bodies is 2,144 Ha.(2,072 Ha. of river/streams and 72 lakes/tanks/ponds). The road network covers an area of 3581 Ha located in and around the district headquarter. The maximum temperature is 370C while the minimum is 10C. The highest rainfall is 3080 mm (Tinsong) and the lowest is 597 mm (Geljang). The maximum humidity is 100% and the minimum 61%. The beauty of the landscape is supplemented by the climate which is temperate and salubrious. The winter extending from November to February is cold, particularly in the hills but days are bright and sunny. The monsoon months stretch from May-June to September with heavy showers almost throughout the period. The spring and summer months are mildly pleasant despite high humidity. However, the low temperatures ( ranging from 300-350C) prevents sultriness that is so common in eastern India. The climate imparts the people with considerable stamina and hardiness through the lack of rains during non- monsoon months and the consequent decline in water flow in the major rivers during that period makes the state a mono-crop economy.
Geographical Area :: 4,391 sq Kms.
Population :: 1,11,493 (2001 cesus)
Altitude :: 1260 m
Latitude (HQ) :: 24.59 N
Longitude (HQ) :: 93.30 E
Humidity :: 76(Min), 92(Max)
Rainfall (HQ) :: 3135 mm.
Temparature :: 31oC(Max), 4oC (Min)
Literacy :: 50.16 %
Sub-Divisions :: Tamenglong, Tamei, Tousem, Nungba.
National Highways :: NH 53
State Highways :: I.T. Road, Old Cachar Road, Tamenglong Khongsang Road.
Major rivers :: Iyei, Irang, Barak, Makru.
DEMOGRAPHIC ::
According to the provisional data of 2001 census, the total population of the district is 2,23,866. The literacy rate in the district is quite high, the percentage being 64.38 ( 72.6% in male and 56.4% in female). Unlike most parts of the state and the country, the sex ratio is in favour of the female gender: 1034 per 1000 male. With the improvement of the reach of medical facilities, the birth rate, death rate and the infant mortality rate have gone down.
Festivals ::
Festivals and Dances of the Zeliangrong are closely linked up with religion, which is associated with their economic vocation and socio-cultural ethos. Festivals reflect different stages of agricultural activities, here talents, physical strength are expressed. Every month there is a festival.
Listed below are some of the festivals:
Gan-Ngai
Rih-Ngai (Chaga Ngai)
Gudui-Ngai
Banruhmei
Gan-Ngai :: This festival is celebrated in the month of December-January after harvest for 5 (five) days. Blowing horn herald the festival, fresh fire is made with the ancient friction method and distributed in every household. Villagers, irrespective of age dressed in their best attire, keep up the dance and songs, intercepting only by short intervals of repose and break dedicated to feasting.
Rih-ngai (Chaga Ngai) :: Celebrate during January-February is this War festival which is exclusively for male. No stranger is allowed to enter the village. Men abstain from sexual intercourse and foods cooked by women are not taken. An interesting feature is Raangh-Kapmei or shooting at an effigy of a warrior with pointed bamboo splits. It is believed that one who hit the effigy on :: The head, will be successful in war. The chest, will be successful in hunting. The abdomen, will be lucky in cultivation, etc.Likewise there are altogether seven segments on the effigy, which they believed would reveal their fortune of the year.
Gudui-Ngai :: Performed during the seed-sowing season in April. After completion of task like clearance of jungle for cultivation everyone will drink juice (dui) of ginger (Gu). Tug of war is performed between male and female as a symbolic representation of competition between God and Goddess for possessing the paddy. If the girls win it indicates a good harvest.
Banruhmei & Tarang :: These are two feasts of merit performed by one who is bold, brave, philanthropist, generous and rich enough to feed the whole village. It is believed that if a man could perform both the feasts of merit during his lifetime, he is supposed to have accomplished his life's work.During Banruhmei various songs and dances are performed observing strict forms. The entire villagers, irrespective of age, will participate the feast, which may last a few weeks. The wife of the host will perform a special dance with a rice beer cistern of gourd, pouring it out rhythmically.Tarang (or Kaisumei) can be performed only by those who have performed Banruhmei, if he still can afford. Here the special house of merit called Tarang-kai is constructed.
Dances ::
The rich cultural heritage of the Zeliangrong is reflected in their varieties of art specially dances performed during their festivals. Dances are different in their steps, forms & seasons. Zeliangrong enjoy dancing throughout the day and the night.Deep thudding of drums shake the ground underfoot & jar the body. Endless steps and forms under the moonlight and glares of the torches, dances of the night is quite an experience.
People and Culture ::
Tamenglong is inhabited by majority Zeliangrong Naga tribe ( comprising of Rongmei,Liangmei, Zemei and Pumei) and Kukis, besides minority Hmars, Chirus and Khasis. Racially or physically and linguistically Zeliangrongs are Tibeto-Burman (Indo-Mongoloid) of Sino-Tibetan family of the Mongolian race. Based on history it is assumed that Mongoloid groups including Zeliangrong Nagas were inhabiting the upper course of the Yangtze and Howang Ho rivers in China in the prehistoric times.The Zeliangrong belongs to patriarchal social system. Each clan enjoys equal status. Clan exogamy is strictly observed. Cross-cousin marriage is most preferred but parallel cross-cousin is seldom. Besides following many other normal customs of a Naga-tribe, they also have some strange and fearful customs.
Places ::
Tamenglong district of Manipur is blessed with a topography of irregular undulation. It has in its small area most of the awesome features that nature mould to a hilly terrain. Turbulent waters, roaring waterfall, pitching dark caves, enchanting lakes of the wilderness, rocks chiseled to wondrous form and yet the thick blanket of dense tropical forest most part of which are still virgin.Highlighted below are some of the popular places that have attracted a number of tourists round the year.Along the river Barak there are seven waterfalls in series at close range. The picture is at the third step of the waterfall.The famous Tharon cave is located at about 27 kms from the district HQ. The map of the entire cave is engraved and painted on a stone at the main entrance. Archeological excavation of the cave shows affinities with Hobinian culture of North Vietnam.The legendary Zeilad lake at Makoi (Atengba) is associated with a number of pythons, fishes and water birds. There are six other lakes nearby Guiphop Zei, Nrou Zei, Nap-sam Zei etc.The Buning (N-piulong) meadow is located on the western side of the picturesque Tamei town. A number of well-groomed uneven small mounts, numerous glittering brooks studded the stretch. Come June the meadow is coloured with enchanting groud orchids and various wild lilies. Cry of Hoolock gibbon howling of foxes melodious chirping of birds altogether form Buning a big family of the wildlife evoking wonder and admiration of many who have witnessed the meadow.
Directory
Official/Deptt.Contacts ::
1 Hospital 03877-222029
2 Fire Service 03877-222020
3 Electricity 03877-222603
4 Telephone Exchange 03877-222000/222001
5 DC/Tml 03877-222003(O)
6 SP/Tml 03877-222008(O)
7 SDO/Tml 222064(O)
8 SDPO/Tml 03877-222054(O)
