Imphal Tourism
¤ Imphal - Capital of Manipur
Location : North-Eastern part of India
State : Manipur
Population : 22,93,896
Rainfall in Imphal : 980.8 mm. (May to October)
Altitude : 790mtrs.above MSL (Imphal)
Climate: Summer : 35 °C - 17 °C Winter : 18 °C
- 00 °C
Best Time to Visit : October to February
¤ Imphal City
Imphal, the state capital, forms a plain terrain at the center of the
valley. The city's historical monuments and the cultural activities
make it a unique destination. Imphal tourism has lots to offer in
terms of the handicraft and the imported goods to its visitors. The
various culture within the land of ethnic tribal to the most common of
the religions like Christianity, Islam and Hindu thrive here. The city
has also been recently bifurcated into East Imphal and West Imphal.
¤ Main Attractions of Imphal
Shree Govindajee Temple
This place was considered to be the highest place for any cultural
activity during the times of the Maharajas. Located at a place near
the Royal palace of past Maharajas, it has two domes and a raise
congregation hall to keep the sacred deities in their place, aloof and
high.
War Cemeteries
The cemeteries are the seats of remembrance for the British and
Indian soldiers who fought and died in the Second World War. When you
visit these cemeteries, the peace and the cleanliness of the place
will entice you. If the tourists are not satisfied with the serenity
then they can go through the various written messages on the stone
markers and bronze plaques of the graves.
Women's Market or Ima Keithel
Cacophony, bargain of products and a spread of a beautiful and
colourful cloth is what you would most notice when you visit this
market place. But, this is the charm of the place, if a person wants
to know how the trade goes in Manipur, this is the first place to buy.
The bazar consist of two main sections -one where the vegetables,
fruits and necessary items are sold and the other where the handloom
products of the state is sold. The peculiarity of the market is that
around 3000 'Imas' or mothers run the stalls.
Manipur Zoological Gardens The Brow Antlered deer, which is a
rare species, can be seen in the Manipur Zoological Gardens. Located
at a distance of 6 kms from the capital, the zoo is very modest to the
core with its surrounding, a large expanse of open grounds.
Timings: The zoo opens on weekdays and Saturdays, ten in the
morning and closes around six in the evening. Entry fee to the zoo for
the foreign tourist and the domestic ones are different.
Manipur State Museum
The museum, which is the representation of the tangible information
of history, shows a display of the tribal heritage and the collection
of the artifacts of the former Maharajas of Manipur. Costumes of the
common people and warriors, arms and weapons of the varied communities
and relics and historical documents can be seen here. The priceless
artifacts, documents and cultural heritage of a mentioned civilization
can be first accessed through a Museum.
Timings: The Museum opens on weekdays and Saturdays and the
tourists can visit from 10 am to 6 pm.
Separate admission fee had to be given for Foreign tourists.
Additional charges for cameras are taken.
¤ Cuisine of the State
Like most eastern states, Manipur's cuisine is also rich in rice and
meat. Traditionally food was eaten on the floor with banana leaf for
plates. Some of the local delicacies are Kangsoi(a vegetable stew with
dry fishes), Kobok (puffed or roasted rice and molasses dessert) and
Iromba (fish chutney, bamboo shoots and vegetables). A traditional
Manipuri meal can be had at the Shree Govindajee temple on prior
notice. But it is best to eat in hotels.
Some of the well-known restaurants Hotel Excellency at Airport Road
offers chinese and continental food Chamu at Hotel Nirmala, M.G.
Avenue has a wide array of dishes. Hotel Prince at Thangal Bazar
provides good service and food.
¤ Adventure-Trips
Due to its beautiful and hilly areas, Manipur tourism also
facilitates adventure sports in the state. Some of the nodal agencies
had been formed to make Manipur excel in these sports and also impart
training on these sports.
Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association - This association
operates on the Lamdan (Sudarshan Peak), near Loktak Hydroelectric
power project.
Manipur Adventure and Allied Sports Institute operates in Keirao, and
tourist home in Siroi Hill near Ukhrul.
The Adventure Academy of Manipur at RIMS, South Gate, Imphal has
training courses and assistance in whitewater rafting in the state.
¤ Cultural Shows
Ras Lila , which is one of the most popular classical dance in India,
can be seen almost everywhere in localities when the annual
celebration comes. Other cultural meets are organised by the Rupmahal
Artists' Association, Manipur Dramatic Union and Manipur State Kala
Akademi. Information on these cultural meets can be found out from the
Manipur tourim information offices.
¤ Excursions From Imphal
Loktak Lake
It is located at a distance of 48 kms away from the capital.The lake
has a number of attractions starting from the floating islands(Fumdis)
to the Brow Antlered deer. A panoramic view of the serene and
picturesque lake can be seen from Sendra, a small hillock on one bank
of the Lake.
With a nominal fee, the interested people can take a boat ride on the
lake.
Moirang
Around 45 kms from Imphal, the place is popular for its festival
'Lai harouba'. The festival takes place in May.
Best-Buys
Anyone interested in buying here should look for the traditional
handicrafts. Almost every house has a loom here. Dolls, which are made
as replica of the Manipuri dance is also a added buy. Some of the
other souvenirs that can be bought are hand woven textiles, draperies,
shawls, cane and bamboo furniture. The various items on handicraft
especially clothes are sold in the Ima Market. Intricately woven
baskets and wickerwork can be bought from a street near by this
market. Other shops; Handloom House, Manipur Handloom & Handicraft
Development Corporation, Eastern Handlooms and Handicrafts at Paona
Bazar and Manipur Development Society at Uripok.
¤ Permit to Visit
Foreign Tourist
Restricted Area Permit is needed for the foreign tourists which are
issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, South Block, New Delhi.
Domestic Tourist
Inner Line Permit is needed for travelling by road from Dimapur
through Nagaland which are issued by Liaison Officers of the Govt. of
Nagaland at Delhi/Kolkata/Guwahati/Shillong.
¤ Accessibilty to Imphal
By Air
There are flights from New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Silchar to
the city. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate these flights.
Detailed timings of the flights can be found out at any offices at
major cities of the country. There is a direct flight from New Delhi
on Sundays and Wednesdays. For commuting to the city, tourists taxis
and auto-rickshaws are provided at the airport.
By Rail
Dimapur(215 kms) and Jiribam(225kms) is the nearest railhead. Bus
services operates from Dimapur till Imphal and it takes around 9
hours. Private bus services provide Deluxe coaches.
By Bus
Imphal is connected with Guwahati(Assam) by the National Highway
no.39 and National Highway no. 53 connects Imphal with Silchar(Assam).
The Silchar route(250 kms) till Imphal takes around 10 hours.
Local transport
Auto-rickshaws and un-metered taxis with negotiable rates are
available for transfer to the other part of the city.
Major Circuits
Major Tour Packages To Manipur
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