Once Upon A Time

Not long ago, this little valley was once a lake called Lamphelpat, now literally drying up having spent its lifespan - giving way to human habitation and agriculture. Manipur's terrain is wholly hilly - with a little central valley about 10% of the total area (90% hills and mountains). All waters from the highlands drain in the valley with clusters of lakes scattered all over it. All lakes have their own lifespan and they've been drying up gradually - lake to wetland - then to dry land. However, they still retain their names having little or no connect with their past glory. The suffix 'PAT' in each name indicates that they're once a lake (Pat meaning lake). One will be amazed at the endless number of such names starting, Akampat, Bitrapat, Charangpat, Ekop pat, Gourahari pat, Keishampat, Kekrupat, Kharungpat, Khoidumpat, Khongham-pat, Laphupat, Lamphelpat, Porompat, Pumlen-pat, Sanggaipat, Takyelpat, Uttra-pat, Waithou-pat, Yaralpat etc.