Ukhrul
Hill home of the Tangkhul & the Shirui lily
Ukhrul, the highest hill town in Manipur, is the headquarters of the Tangkhul Naga country in the state's north-east, a cool, scenic district of pine ridges and terraced fields on the road towards Myanmar. It is famous above all for one thing: the Shirui lily, a delicate pinkish-lavender flower that grows on the slopes of Shirui peak and nowhere else in the world.
The Shirui Lily Festival each spring celebrates this botanical treasure, and the surrounding hills offer treks, caves such as Khangkhui, and a strong, welcoming Tangkhul culture. Ukhrul is a rewarding escape into the greener, calmer hill country of Manipur.
What it's known for
- The heartland of the Tangkhul Naga people
- The endemic Shirui lily and its spring festival
- Hill treks, caves and terraced-field scenery
- A cool, high retreat from the valley
What to see in & around Ukhrul
See & do
- Shirui peak and the Shirui lily (spring)
- The Shirui Lily Festival
- Khangkhui limestone caves
- Tangkhul villages and viewpoints
Getting there
About 2.5–3 hours by road east of Imphal; the nearest airport is Imphal. An Inner Line Permit is required; check advisories.