# Kakching

Kakching is a town of 32,000 people (2011) in the Indian state of Manipur. It is a major commercial hub in the state. In 2018, Kakching was declared as the "Cleanest city in North East India" by the Indian government. It is also known as the "Rice Bowl of Manipur", for producing the highest level of rice in the state.

## Understand

Kakching is known as the "Granary of Manipur". Its workers produce the highest percentage of food grains in the state. Rice, pulses, cereal and potatoes are the important production of this sub-division. Hand-loom and handicraft products are also made in high volume for the Kakching market.
Kakching participates in many cultural fields reflecting the heritage of the Meitei people, including storytelling and dance (Nat Sankirtan and Meitei Pung Cholom), as well as the martial arts Thang-Ta, Satjal, Mukna, and the sport of Kangjei.
The dialect of Meitei language spoken in Kakching is slightly different from standard Meitei in terms of tone and style.

## Get in

The town is about 44 km from the state capital at Imphal, and about 70 km from the international border with Myanmar.
Kakching is connected by road to Thoubal and Moreh via AH1. It is also connected with the Chandel district headquarters by an Inter-District Road. The Indo-Burma Sugnu Road State Highway connects Kakching with Sugnu in the south and Mayang-Imphal in the north.

## Get around

* Kakching Garden (Manipuri: Kakching Leikol) is the largest garden in Kakching. It is a planned area, set aside for cultivation, display and enjoyment of various flowering as well as non-flowering plants. Inside the garden, there are small hillocks as well as temples of Sanamahism as well as Hinduism.

## See

* 24.486193.9811 Kakching Garden (Manipuri: Kakching Leikol). This is the most popular garden in Manipur. It is famous for having unique topiary plants in the state. It houses many scared sites of Sanamahism as well as Hinduism.
* 24.483494.00572 Kakching Aerodrome (Manipuri: Kakching Maalang Hee Taapham). It is a World War II aerodrome used by the British Army, against the Indian National Army. This aerodrome used to serve all the essential things to the British Army during the wartime. It is mainly occupied by the Assam Rifles.
* People's Museum - It houses many ethnic and cultural artefacts and relics.

## Do

* The Kakching Haraoba Festival (Meitei: Kakching Lai Haraoba Kumhei) is one of six types of the Lai Haraoba festival according to Sanamahism, the traditional Meitei religion. It is mainly celebrated in the state of Manipur. This festival is in part a recollection of the creation stories played by the deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of plants and animals through the will of Sidaba Mapu, the Creator God. It is a grand carnival possession involving large number of people, starting from youths to old folks.

## Buy

Markets, including those run by the local company ADAM Kakching, where wood products and gift-items are sold, have attracted people from outside the town.

## Eat

* Chak-hao kheer (Chahao kheer) - A common porridge made of black rice (Manipuri: Chak-hao, literally "delicious rice"). It has greater taste than the normal rice (white rice).
* Meitei Chakluk (literally, a plate of food) - It is a complete collection of rice, fish meat, soups, salads, etc. in one plate. However, in some hotels, separate bowls of different dishes may also be added to the main dish.
* Pork dishes (Manipuri: "Ok Thongba" or "Wok Thongba") - Pork dishes on varying flavours are very common in Kakching.
* Singju – This salad is a mixture of various ingredients, where chili is a must. It is usually very spicy.

## Go next

* Keibul Lamjao National Park - This is the world's only floating national park as well as the last and the only natural habitat for the world's only dancing deer species, Sangai (Cervus eldi eldi). This national park is also in Manipur.
* Moirang - This is the "Cradle of Manipuri culture", which inspired many poets by its beautiful scenic views, especially of the Loktak lake.