So had been melei leisna (a variety of golden coloured orchid) of Manipur until Khamba came to offer it to the deity of Moirang-Thangjing. Flowers have been associated with the culture and tradition of Manipur from time immemorial. Our folklores are replete with references to a variety of flowers of the hills and the plains. The legendary story of Khamba and Thoibi has an episode of Lei Langba (floral offering to the deity). Khamba and Nongban had to climb up the Thangjing Mountain to collect flowers on the occasion of Moirang Thangjing Haraoba, which was the origin of Khamba-Thoibi dance. When Khamba could not find any flower on top of the mountain, he sat down at the foot of a big tree. Suddenly, a godsend gust of wind blew on the mountainside. Khamba was afraid lest the branches of the tree broke down. He looked up to see clusters of golden-coloured orchids hanging from the tree half-hidden among the green leaves. Khamba climbed up the tree and plucked a host of orchids to offer to Thangjing and Khamba came to be known as Melei-Langba (one who offers melei flower). The whole mountainside was filled with the aroma of the sweet-scented flowers. One can't forget the enchanting flowers. Manipur is the home of a variety of orchids which adorn the trees on both the hills and plain. No one can ignore the golden melei of April, nor can one forget the bluish Kwaklei of October. The once beautiful orchids of the hills now adorn the plains. Some of the orchids are locally known as Khongumelei, Kwaklei, Samjirei, Yerumlei, etc. These flowers bloom in different seasons. Now-a-days they adorn the trees and the flowerpots all over the valley of Manipur as well. Why talk of the orchids only? The whole atmosphere of the valley as well as the hills is filled with sweet scents of a number of local flowers. In every season, the hillsides are covered with colourful flowers from different trees. One can't miss the beauty of almost all the whole mountainsides as well as the roadsides covered with golden sunflowers. Come down further to the plains and one feels the sweet fragrance of champa, Jasmine, local magnolia and a variety of sweet-scented flowers. Beautiful and colourful roses of different sizes and colours-red, pink and yellow-beckon you wherever you go. A Speciality of the flowers in Manipur is the sweet scent, enchanting everyone around. It is not on land only. The ponds and lakes are full of lotus in white and pink. You cannot avoid the sweet smell of the flowers and the leaves whenever the gentle wind blows. Attractive lilies, red, blue, yellowish and white, dance playfully in water, enchanting every passerby. Morning, evening and night; summer, autumn and winter-there is no dearth of enchanting flowers with the sweet aroma in the air. Bunches of bright red gulmohar from among the green leaves make you forget the summer heat; hosts of golden-coloured marigold captivate your mind. Do not think of cherry flowers of England only! The beautiful cherry flowers of Ukhrul present a charming spectacle as well. The sweet scent of the lemon flowers of Kachai and Grihang is simply unforgettable. It reminds one of lemons and oranges. And one is dazzled by the spectacle when they are ripe on the plants. The orange groves of Tamenglong will simply keep you spellbound. Beginning with the sweet scent of the flowers, these are magical scenes which keep your mind forever charmed. The golden oranges on the plants are more beautiful than flowers in the gardens. No account of the flowers of Manipur will be complete without the lilies of Dzuko valley and Shirui hills. These are unique flowers blooming gracefully on top of high mountains. From the mountains to the valley, enchanting flowers beckon everyone to Manipur, a land of enchanting flowers.