Before leaving Imphal, we visited the Govindaji temple near the Kangla palace. While many Manipurians seem to be Vaishnmavite or Bishnupriyam, the prevalent religion is Maitai a derivative of Oriental Budhism with Dragon worship etc., It was in recent history that a Bishnoi saint converted the kings of Manipur to Vaishnavism. Those Manipurians who converted at that time are called Bishnupriya. They wear a Y shaped mark in sandal paste on their head with the downward vertical in the Y extended over the bridge of the nose.
The temple has three shrines dedicated to Sri Krishna and Jagannathji. The idols are colorful and depicted in the North Indian style. The image of Garuda is seated, not directly in front of the idol (as it is in the South) but to the side. I thought the upturned beak and the reverential attitude struck a peculiar note. Directly opposite the main shrine is a many-pillared hall possibly for bajan and kirtan. Surrounding the main shrine are many smaller shrines.
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