It was lucky for me that I once visited this place on a 23rd April but unfortunate that I didn't take any pictures on that day. May be I was not a photo girl at the time because it was some years ago. Every 23rd April is celebrated as Khongjom day and I saw people praying and showing respect to our fighters on that day.
Khongjom War Memorial, Khongjom, Thoubal district is 36 kilometres away from the Imphal city, the capital of Manipur. It is a memorial place of our great Manipuri Meitei heroes- Paona Brajabashi, Wangkhei Meiraba, Chongtha Mia and Chinglensana, etc who sacrificed their lives in the battle fought between them and the British forces to protect the freedom of Manipur. The war lasted between 31st March to 27th April,1891. It ended in a British victory. This was known as the Anglo Manipur war.
It is one among the popular tourist attraction places in Imphal. It commemorates patriotism, courage, sacrifice, valour and spirit of freedom. This memorial place is one of the best war memorials in India.
A war memorial has been constructed on top of the Kheba ching. These three pillars are for the great leaders who fought for the war. The pillars stand tall and symbolises great courage. About 50 Manipuris sacrificed their lives including Pukhrambam Tanka, Khumbong Subedar, Leisang Jamadar and Athokpam Dewan including two Tangkhuls in the hand-hand fight.
This memorial site is one of the major tourist attraction in the entire North East India for the place being historically significant in the British history. Every year, 23rd April is being celebrated as the Khongjom day in memory of the battle of Khongjom. People from different parts of the state would come here to pay tribute to our great leaders on this day. There will be offering of flowers, fruits and leaves followed by a gun salute to their statue. This will be followed by offering of Tarpan at the Khongjom river and paying homage to the Sankirtan. Tarpan is an annual Hindu ritual in which the Meitei Hindus offer tributes to their dead ancestors. It is believed that during this period, the deceased ancestors expect offerings from their living descendants.
Let me share some of my pictures of my visit there on different days. This is to make this post a colouful one.
This post is published on 23rd April, 2020, a Khongjom war celebrated day.
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