India is known worldwide for its picturesque and unique places, among which Loktak Lake in the state of Manipur is a special attraction. It draws attention not only for its beauty but also because of the floating phumdis and villages situated among them.
Some residents live in houses that are in the middle of the water and travel from one place to another using boats. Their daily life is closely connected to fishing and other resources provided by the lake. Therefore, Loktak Lake with its floating villages should be included in the list of travel destinations.
Houses Floating on Water
Loktak Lake features floating vegetation formations and thick layers of soil known as phumdis. Houses and other structures are built on these layers. One of the well-known floating settlements is Champu Hangpok. Residents here live in straw huts, which locals call hangpok or phumshang.
The foundations of these dwellings remain floating on the water. To ensure the stability of the houses on the water, people regularly reinforce them by adding new vegetation materials and other floating components.
Daily Trips by Boat
Small wooden and local boats are used for transportation in this floating village. The boat serves as a means of transport even between one's own houses. The lives of the local residents are entirely dependent on the lake.
They rely on activities such as fishing, collecting aquatic plants, and utilizing the lake's water. This is why the lifestyle here appears very unusual and different from life in other places.
To reach Loktak Lake, one must first arrive in Imphal, which can be reached by train or plane. Then, traveling along the road through Moirang, one can cover a distance of about 40–50 kilometers to Loktak Lake itself.
Best Time to Visit
The optimal time to visit Loktak Lake is considered to be from October to March. During this period, the weather is characterized as cool, dry, and pleasant, which facilitates the viewing of the lake and its surroundings.
