INTRODUCTION
This small beautiful city in Eastern India is the capital of Manipur city. It is the city of commerce and revenue yielding city for the state of Manipur. The major population of this place is occupied by a group of tribes known as Meitei tribe. This city which concentrates more on agriculture is rich in its flaura and fauna.Imphal is known for its dance shows for it is the cultural capital of the state. The main tourist attraction in this state involves temples, gardens and historical palaces.ORIENTATION
Imphal is situated in two separate valleys of the state namely Central Valley and Jiribam Valley.HISTORY
Imphal was founded in the first century AD. The history of Manipur starts with the invasions of Burma in 900 AD which was settled after a treaty signed by Raja Jai Singh in 1826.After this Manipur became a part of India. But however again there was confusion in the succession of the throne which was settled with the intervention of the British. Only on 21st January 1972 Manipur became a Union Territory. The Nagas occupy the hilly areas of the state whereas the Meiteis occupy the valleys.FESTIVAL
Ningol Chakouba - This is a festival celebrated in the month of November is mainly a festival for the women. During the festival the married away women along with their children are invited by the parent’s home to reunite and strengthen the bond. Yaoshang - This is a festival which is celebrated for a period of five days in the months of February/March.Yaoshang is dedicated to Lord Krishna and the people celebrate it with full enthusiasm throwing colours and water on one another. In this festival you can also get to witness a moonlight dance where young girls and boys dance together. Christmas - Christmas is another important religious festival celebrated here for major population here are the Nagas who are chrstians.The festival is featured with activities like prayers, reading of gospels, singing of hymns and lectures on Christ. Ramzan - Ramzan celebrated by the Muslims usually falls in the month of September-October. In the month of Ramzan Muslims abstain themselves from smoking and drinking and they fast from dawn to sunset. After the second day of shawwal they break fast which is also popularly known as Id-Ul-Fitre and thus on the day of ramzan they exchange gifts and dishes and invite friends and relatives. Cheiraoba - This is the New Year of Manipur which falls in the month of April. On this day people clean and decorate the houses and prepare delicious food. Then they worship God for their well being and offer the food first to the deity. Then it is a custom among the people to climb the nearby meaning to symbolize they should also come up high in their life.TEMPLES
Shri Govindji Temple- The main feature of this temple is that it stands on a 1.34m high plinth. This temple was built in 1846 A.D during the reign of Maharaj Nara Singh but however it was destroyed in 1868A.D in an earthquake, after which it was reconstructed again by Maharaj Chandrakirti. Temple of Shri Krishna - The main feature of this temple is that its architecture is more of the Bengal style which was common around 18th century. This temple was built in 1722 A.D. and is mainly attributed to Maharaj garibniwaza. Thangal General Temple - This temple is dedicated to Kangabam Chitananda Singh who was popularly known as Thangal General in the court of Maharaj Kulachandra.In 1891 Manipur was defeated by the British and Thangal General was hung to death by the Anglos.MONUMENT
Commonwealth War Graves Cemeteries
PLACES OF INTEREST
Manipur State Museum
This museum is very easily accessed from the town and it is a store house of a rich cultural heritage. The museum is also housed with regional costumes; war implements, historical documents and relics, and offer a glimpse of the state's glorious past.Manipur Zoological Gardens
Manipur Zoological Garden is mainly known worldwide for it has a rare species of deer, namely brow-antlered thamin deer, along with birds, animals and reptiles. It is at a distance of about 8 km from Imphal and it is surrounded with small hillocks on all sides which is rich in pine trees.Khonghampat Orchidarium
This is one of the most visited tourist sport in Imphal for it has a beautiful orchidarium exhibiting rare and wide varieties of orchids. It is a breathtaking place when you visit the Khonghampat Orchidarium at the time of full bloom which happens in the month of April to May. This orchidarium is located at a distance of about 12 km from the town.Loktak Lake
Moirang
Moirand located at a distance of about 45 kms from Imphal is known for the festival 'Lai harouba' which falls in the month of May.Sacred Jackfruit Tree, Kaina
Red Hill
Red Hill is known for the battle which took place between the Allied Forces and the Japanese Forces in World War II,after which the Japanese war veterans constructed a monument at the foot of this hill and it was significantly named” India Peace Memorial”. This hillock is located at a distance about 17kms away from Imphal.Sekta Kei Mound
The most prominent feature of the mound is the 6 well demarked burial areas in village Sekta which is located at a distance of about 18kms from the town. The state archaeology was able to isolate only one burial mound. The total area under protection is 0.35 acre. The excavation at the Sekta burial site revealed important informations of the burial customs of the Sekta people and their social and economic life. This has helped archaeologist and historians to reassess the historical process of the people of Manipur.Singda
Bishnupur
EAT OUTS1.The Classic HotelNorth A.O.C, Imphal 2.Tombhi Hotel Imphal 3.Hotel Prince Thangal Bazar 4.Restaurant Chamu M.G. road SHOPPINGKhwairamband, located in the city centre is known for its hand-woven shawls to skirts, handicraft goods, vessels, fabrics, accessories, which include jewelry and shoes primarily. The other most important feature is that it is a bazaar run exclusively by women. Manipur Handlooms & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd in Paona Bazaar - Handloom and handicraft items. Kangla Emporium and the Eastern Handlooms & Handicrafts - Textiles The Moreh Market, India-Myanmar border - imported goods and local products. Other famous item which can be shopped here includes exotic shawls like Hauphee, the Tangkhul scarf, the most popular Moirangphee and Manipuri Dolls.ACCOMMODATION1.The Classic HotelNorth A.O.C, Imphal Imphal, Manipur 795001 0385 2443969 2. Anand Continental Hotel Thangal Bazaar Khoyathong Road, Imphal, Manipur 0385 2449422 3.HOTEL BHEIGO Keisampat Waheng Leikai Road, Imphal 0385 220944 4.HOTEL KRISHTINA Pologround Road Near ICTV Office T 0385 445255 5.Hotel Prince, Thangal Bazar, 0385 223136/224010 6.Hotel Nirmala Kangla Imphal, Imphal East, Manipur 0385 229014 |
Travel Guide
Travel Information
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