IMPHAL, Nov 28 - Thailand Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who arrived here yesterday on a two-day maiden tour to Manipur to attend the 10-day Sangai Festival, today visited the historic Kangla Fort, the ancient capital of Manipur.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Art and Culture Minister L Jayantakumar and titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba accorded a warm reception when the Thai princess � accompanied by Thailand�s Ambassador to India Chutintorn Gongsakdi and other officials of the Royal Thai Embassy, and those of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs � arrived at the Kangla Fort. The dignitaries had a brief interaction before they went on a sightseeing tour in two battery-operated vehicles.
A Thai media team was also present during the princess�s visit to the Kangla Museum, Shri Shri Govindaji Temple and the Ibudhou Pakhangba Temple.
The Sangai Festival named after Manipur�s State animal sangai, a critically endangered brow-antlered deer found in the marshy wetland of Keibul Lamjao, the only floating national park in the country located about 50 km from Imphal, is a tourism festival organised by the State Government. Apart from being a cultural carnival that promotes Manipur as a world-class tourist destination, the festival aims at promoting the cause of saving the sangai. The festival has been under way at three venues since November 21.
Earlier, Princess Sirindhorn also visited Sendra, a tourist spot at Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in North East India, and the Keibul Lamjao National Park � both located in Bishnupur district.