Andro Village
Andro
Black pottery turned without a wheel, and a fire that has never gone out
About this place
Andro is one of the old Loi (scheduled) villages east of Imphal and the last stronghold of Manipuri hand-built pottery: potters coil and beat the local black clay entirely by hand, without a wheel, then open-fire the pieces. The Mutua Museum's Andro Cultural Complex on the village edge holds full-size replicas of traditional houses of Manipur's communities, an ancient pottery gallery and a doll museum. The village also keeps a sacred hearth at the Panam Ningthou shrine said never to have been extinguished.
The history
Andro's Loi community retained pre-Vaishnavite Meitei practice, including rice-beer brewing and the Panam Ningthou cult, after the 18th-century conversion of the valley. The cultural complex was established by folklorist Mutua Bahadur.
How to reach
25 km east of Imphal via Yairipok road or the Nongmaijing route; 50 minutes by cab (₹1,200–1,500 return). Shared autos run from Imphal's Khuyathong stand to Andro bazar.
Local tips
- Buy directly from the potters' homes rather than the roadside stalls: the makers keep the margin.
- Ask permission before entering the Panam Ningthou grove; some areas are restricted to the community.
- Pair with Nongmaijing Hill, 10 km back toward Imphal.
Gallery
On the map
Andro, 25 km east of Imphal · 24.7639°N, 94.0703°E
Andro Village
Andro, 25 km east of Imphal
24.7639°N, 94.0703°E
Nearby places
Within an easy detour of Andro Village.
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- Time to allow
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