What is the Manipura Chakra and why is it called the city of jewels?

The Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra) is the third energy center, located at the navel region (or slightly above). The Sanskrit name Manipura translates to City of Jewels (Mani = jewel/gem, Pura = city/place) — referring to the brilliant luminosity of this chakra when activated, likened to a radiant jewel. The Sat-Cakra-Nirupana describes it as a ten-petalled golden-yellow lotus with the syllables DA, DHA, NA, TA, THA, DA, DHA, NA, PA, and PHA. The bija mantra is RAM. The presiding deity is Rudra (Lord Shiva in his transformative aspect) with Goddess Lakini as the Shakti. The element is Agni (Fire). Physically, Manipura governs the digestive system, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and the entire metabolic process — it is literally the body”s fire that transforms food into energy. Psychologically it governs willpower, personal power, self-confidence, ambition, discipline, and the ability to take decisive action. In Vedic tradition, the digestive fire (Jatharagni) at the navel is considered sacred — the Chandogya Upanishad describes it as the fire that sustains life.