Imphal

Famous for:
Capital of Manpiur known for handicraft, handlooms and Ladies garment  Also has the world's only floating National Park.


Video: Imphal city

Background:
Known as the 'Land of Jewels', Imphal is the capital of Manipur.
It is a mini-metropolis and the center of all cultural, commercial and political activities.
A beautiful land of green hills, it has palaces, temples and ceremonial houses.
Manipuri, the famous classical dance is from this region. Manipur is also known as a center for Martial Arts and Thang-ta is the famous local martial art form.
Yet another special feature of Imphal is the Archery Stakes that are held everyday on various low-lying stretches of ground. It has evolved from an ancient tribal sport. Archers shoot as many as 500 arrows within a span of a few minutes!


Video: Evening drive through Imphal

What to see: 
Manipur Zoological Gardens
Location: 8 km from Imphal, on the Imphal-Kangchup Road.
It houses many rare species of birds, animals and reptiles. It also has the brow-antlered thamin deer, one of the rarest species of deer in the world.

Khonghampat Orchidarium
Location: 7 km from Imphal 
Spread over 200 acres, it showcases around 110 varieties of Orchids. The best time to visit is between March and April.

Khwairamband Bazaar
Location: Imphal city
It is a unique bazaar run by women. They sell everything from fish to woven shawls, farm products, groveries, handloom items and local artifacts.

Shri Govindajee Temple
Location: Located close to the Royal Palace, Imphal 
The 18th century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is an important centre for Vaishnavite. There are also idols of Balarama and Krishna and Jagannath. During Holi, local boys and girls perform the Thaba Changba folk dance all night. 

Manipur State Museum 
Location: Near the Polo grounds 
Displays wide range of items depicting the history and tribal heritage of the state.
Timings: 1000 to 1630 hours. Closed on Sundays and holidays.

Shahid Minar 
Location: In the heart of the city, at Bir Tirkendrajit Park 
Shahid Minar was raised in memory of martyrs who sacrificed their lives fighting against British for India's independence in 1891. There is also cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth Grave Commissions of the British and Indian soldiers, who died during the Second World War. 


Video: Beautiful Manipur

Sites nearby 
Moirang 
Location: 45 km from Imphal 
A historical place where, on 14th April 1944, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the flag of Indian National Army (INA) for the first time. There is an INA museum that houses the letters, photographs, badges and other articles related to the historical event.

Keibul Lamjao National Park
Location: 53 km from Imphal on Southern part of Loktak Lake
It is the world's only floating National Park and the last natural habitat of the thamin deer.

Ukhrul
Location: 83 km from Imphal
It is the highest hill station of the state.

Moreh
Location: 100 km from Imphal, close to the Burma border 
It is a commercial center.

Loktak Lake and Sendra Island
Location: 45 km from Imphal 
Loktak Lake is one of the biggest freshwater Lakes in the Northeast. The Sendra Island has a tourist bungalow with cafe right in the middle of the lake. There is also boating facility. The World's only floating National Park, the Keibul Lamjao National Park, is on the southern part of lake.


Video: Loktak Lake 

Reaching there: 
Air:
Imphal Airport is well connected with the major cities like Delhi (via Guwahati), Kolkata (via Silchar) etc.

Rail:
Dimapur Railway station (219 km) is the nearest railway station.

Road:    
NH 39 (Numaligarh - Imphal - Palel - Indo Burma Border), NH 53 (Junction with NH - 44 Near Badarpur - Jirighat - Silchar - Imphal) and NH 150 (Aizawal - Churachandpur - Imphal - Ukhrul - Jessami - Kohima) are the National Highways passing through Imphal connecting it to the major cities.
BLUE HILLS TRAVEL, run by the Manipur State Transport, operates luxury buses connecting all the state capitals of the North Eastern region. Nagaland State Transport also runs a semi-luxury bus daily from Dimapur to Imphal (9-hrs journey).

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