Temples of Manipur: Shri Govindajee, Kaina and Lai Haraoba
Photo: kknila, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
Imphal, in the valley of Manipur, early morning.
In Manipur, Krishna and the old gods of the valley keep the same hours.
A royal temple in the city
The Shree Govindajee temple stands beside the old palace of the Manipur kings in Imphal, the state capital. Two gold domes rise over a white shrine, and in front of it is a wide open hall where people sit on the floor to watch the morning worship of Radha and Krishna. Vaishnavism, the worship of Vishnu and Krishna, became the religion of the royal court in the eighteenth century, and Govindajee was the kings' own temple. It has been rebuilt more than once since then, but it is still the centre of the valley's Krishna worship.
The older faith beside it
Before and alongside Krishna, the Meitei people of the valley keep an older religion, called Sanamahism. Its household god, Lainingthou Sanamahi, has a shrine in the south-west corner of many Meitei homes, and a temple of its own in Imphal. Each spring and summer, villages hold Lai Haraoba, "the merrymaking of the gods", when priestesses called maibis dance and sing the story of creation for days. At Hiyangthang, west of the city, the hilltop shrine of the goddess Lairembi draws huge crowds at Durga Puja in the autumn.
Why people come
Manipuri dance grew up in these temples. Its Ras Lila, the circle dance of Krishna and the cowherd girls, is still performed in temple halls on full-moon nights, in costumes with stiff, mirrored skirts. Pilgrims from across the North-East come for the big Krishna festivals, and for Kaina, a hill shrine linked to a dream of King Bhagyachandra. Visitors from outside come for the dance and for Loktak Lake nearby, where the Keibul Lamjao park floats on rafts of vegetation and shelters the rare sangai deer.
Getting there
Imphal's airport has flights from Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi. Indian visitors from outside Manipur need an Inner Line Permit, applied for online before travel. Foreign visitors should check the current rules with the state tourism office. The situation in parts of the state has been unsettled since 2023, so read the latest travel advice before planning. In Imphal, the Govindajee temple and the palace grounds are a short auto ride from the market at Khwairamband.
What to look for at Shri Govindajee
The temple stands beside the old palace of the Manipur kings, and its two gold-plated domes show from some distance. In front of the shrine is a wide courtyard and a large hall, the mandap, where devotees sit for the aarti and where the Ras Lila is danced on festival nights.
Watch the people as much as the building. Many women wear the phanek, the striped wrap skirt, with a white shawl. Vaishnav devotees mark the forehead and the bridge of the nose with sandalwood paste. The singing is Manipuri sankirtana, drums and cymbals with voices, which UNESCO lists as intangible heritage. Prasad is offered for a small fee, according to Manipur Tourism.
A short circuit from Imphal
Day one stays in the city: Shri Govindajee at dawn, then the Bijoy Govinda temple at Sagolband, which Manipur Tourism describes as the oldest Vaishnav temple in the state, and the ISKCON temple in the evening.
Day two goes out of town. Kaina lies about 29 km from Imphal in Thoubal district, among low wooded hills. The Shri Gopinath temple in Bishnupur district, about 35 km south, can be joined with a stop at Loktak Lake. Andro, 26 km east, keeps an eternal fire at the Panam Ningthou shrine, a reminder that the older Sanamahi faith lives on beside Vaishnavism. For the wider state, see the districts of Manipur and the Manipur guide. Before any day trip, check the local situation, as roads can close at short notice.
Temples to know
- Shree Govindajee, Imphal: the royal temple of Radha and Krishna.
- Shree Bijoy Govinda, Sagolband, Imphal: a Krishna temple known for its Rath Yatra.
- Sanamahi temple, Imphal: the shrine of the Meitei household god.
- Hiyangthang Lairembi, Imphal West: a hilltop goddess shrine, busiest at Durga Puja.
- Mahabali, Imphal: a Hanuman temple in a wooded grove full of monkeys.
- Kaina, Thoubal district: a hill shrine tied to a king's dream of Krishna.
- ISKCON Imphal: a newer temple with large Janmashtami celebrations.
Sit at the back of the Govindajee hall at dawn. The drums start before the doors open.
Plan your visit
| Best season | October to March, when days are dry and mild. Lai Haraoba is held mostly in spring. |
|---|---|
| How to reach | Fly to Imphal from Guwahati, Kolkata or Delhi. No passenger railway reaches Imphal yet. |
| Getting around | Hire a taxi in Imphal for day trips. Kaina is about 29 km away, the Gopinath temple about 35 km and Andro about 26 km. |
| Where to stay | Central Imphal, around Thangal Bazar and the roads near Kangla Fort, keeps you close to Shri Govindajee and the palace area. |
| How long to spend | Two days for Imphal's temples and one day trip; add a day for Loktak Lake. |
| Permits | Indian visitors from outside Manipur need an Inner Line Permit, applied for online at the Manipur ILP portal. A temporary permit costs ₹100 for up to 30 days, as of October 2026. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, applied for through e-FRRO before arrival, and must register within 24 hours of arriving. |
| Dress and rules | Dress modestly and leave shoes at the gate. Shri Govindajee's opening hours are not published online; check before you go. |
Questions people ask
Is it safe to visit Manipur's temples now?
Check before you go. Violence flared again in some hill districts in October 2026, and the US government advises its citizens not to travel to Manipur. Read current local news close to your dates and follow police instructions.
Do Indian tourists need a permit for Manipur?
Yes. Since 2019, Indians from outside the state need an Inner Line Permit. The temporary permit costs ₹100 for up to 30 days, as of October 2026, and can be applied for online with a government photo ID.
Can foreigners visit Manipur?
Only with a Protected Area Permit, which was brought back for Manipur in December 2024. Apply through the e-FRRO portal before you travel, and register with the authorities within 24 hours of arrival.
When can you see the Ras Lila?
It is danced at Shri Govindajee and other Vaishnav temples on full-moon nights, most of all in autumn and spring. Dates follow the lunar calendar, so check locally.
Read next
Written by Muthu, editor of Aura of India. Sources: Government of Manipur: Inner Line Permit, temporary permit, Manipur Tourism: culture and heritage, Manipur Tourism: foreign tourists, US Department of State: India travel advisory. Last verified: 13 October 2026.
Your turn: Have you watched a Ras Lila night at Shri Govindajee? Which festival was it?
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