Shirui Lily, the state flower of the north eastern state Manipur, is an endangered seasonal plant. It’s best blooming season is in the months of May and June. Keeping in mind the peak blooming season of the flower, the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Manipur organizes every year the State Level Shirui Lily Festival during the last week of April or first week of May.  The unique and famous flower  called ‘Shirui or Siroi Lily’ found in Shirui Kashung in Ukhrul district is an irrefutable pride of the state. The remarkable fact is the flower is found nowhere except in the upper reaches of the Shirui hill ranges. The Shirui hill is at a distance of 97 km from Imphal and about 18 km from Ukhrul town.

However, due to the last Lok Sabha Election, it was called off indefinitely. The Govt. has now decided to celebrate the third edition of the much-awaited Shirui Lily Festival from October 16 to 19 this year, 2019.

The festival aims to spread awareness and conserve the endangered state flower ‘Shirui Lily’ as well as seeks to promote the hill district Ukhrul as a potential tourist destination

Live music, folk songs, cultural shows, exhibits, traditional dances, beauty pageants and indigenous games and sports competitions like the Shirui Lily Grand Prix make up the major part of the festival.

ABOUT UKHRUL DISTRICT:

Ukhrul is the highest hill station of Manipur. It is situated at an approx distance of about 83 kilometers to the east of Imphal. The district is mainly inhabited by the Tangkhul Nagas- the vibrant warrior tribe, the Kukis and the Angamis. The Tangkhul Nagas are one of the oldest major tribes of the state.

MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN UKHRUL:

SHIRUI HILLS

The Shirui Hills which is home to a unique species of land-lily, the Shirui Lily which grows at a height of about 8,500 ft above sea level. It was recognized as the State Flower in 1989. The flower is today an endangered species. The Shirui Hills is one of the most adventurous and interesting treks in Manipur. It is considered one of the most Beautiful Places in Manipur.

LONGPI VILLAGE

The Longpi Village is situated at the north of Ukhrul town. The village is known for its black pottery crafts which are popularly used in many parts of Manipur. These black pots made by mixing serpentine stone and clay are known for its medicinal values and durability. The journey from the town to this village is a captivating experience for every traveler. You will can for sure enjoy the enthralling scenic views of the Shirui Hills and Phungrei on the way to the village.

 KANGKHUI LIME CAVES

One of the major tourist attractions in Manipur is the pre-historic cave KANGKHUI LIME CAVES. Excavations have been found and they provide evidence of early habitations of Stone-Age communities. This limestone cave situated in Ukhrul serves huge tourism potential and attracts lots of students, archaeologists and researchers from both within and outside the country.

 

Accommodation Options:

Besides hotel facility, a homestay concept is also available for the esteemed visitors  if you wish to visit Sirui or Shiroi Lily at Ukhrul. They can get to stay with a local family and experience the day to day activities of the family. Homestays are very popular among budget tourists and travelers who want to experience the culture of the local community. It provides a rich cultural and lifestyle experience to the tourists. Coming to the tourist guide, take it easy;  relax. The cheerful local people will definitely welcome you with their open arms to guide you whatever the problem you have.

For Tour related query/packages, you can click the below Image:  

What are the spots you can visit in Manipur?

The jeweled land holds pride in having the one and only floating park across the globe, The Keibul Lamjao National Park. On the top, only Fresh Water Lake under the sun, Loktak Lake is also in Manipur, which invites thousands of tourists to the state every year which is considered one of the famous Tourist Places Of Manipur. The iconic Lake is situated in Bishnupur district, around 53km from Imphal. The freshwater lake is well known because of its round-shaped floating swamps, called Phumdis in the local language.

There are also a couple of dozen tourist sites which can’t take your eyes off. During this mind-blowing festival, you can also visit the following prime tourist destinations: Andro, Kaina, Khonghampat, Khongjom, Khwairamband Bazaar, Langthabal, Sendra Island, Manipur State Museum, Manipur Zoological Garden, Moirang, Phubala, Sahid Minar, Sekta, Singda, War Cemetries, Kakching Garden, Langol Tower and many other places to visit in Manipur.

How can I reach Manipur?

For heading to this jaw-dropping destinations, you can find both direct and connecting flight options from Delhi/Bangalore/Kolkata/Guwahati to Imphal. Finding flights for Imphal is just a cakewalk, so there’ll be no worries at all. You can also reach the state by train/bus/cruiser. For accommodation, the state offers a wide range of accommodation options including mid-range, budget and decent hotels. Tour Package link option is listed below for your convenience.

We hope the beautiful sites of the state will give you a rewarding and memorable experience in its unique way. Have a pleasant trip and do share your fantastic experience with us.