Location: Manipur
Tourist Attractions: Govindjee Temple, Shaheed Minar
Local Tongue: Manipuri, Hindi, English
STD Code: (91) - 3852
Best time to Visit: February to May & September to November
About Imphal
Those of you who like to get away from the rest and try things off the beaten path should head off to Imphal. Situated in the northeastern state of Manipur, Imphal is a place of exquisite natural beauty, lush hills, picturesque valleys, and some exotic locales, as found nowhere else on the planet. One of the most ancient cities in the country, Imphal still appears to be shrouded in a mist of the past with the remains of an old palace, ancient shrines, and old houses standing as testimonials to its rich history. The tall pine and deodar trees that crowd the entire Manipur valley lend the place a mystique look and feel.
Climate & Best Time to Visit.
The capital of Manipur, Imphal experiences pleasant weather all around the year. The temperature during the summer ranges between 17 to 35 degrees Celsius while winters can be cold and chilly with temperatures of 0 to 18 degrees. Rainfall is heavy between May and September. The best time for a visit to the city is the months from February to early May and late September to November.
Tourist Attractions in Imphal
Govindjee Temple
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the holy Hindu shrine is situated near the Manipur Palace. Besides the presiding deity, the temple houses idols of Lord Krishna and Balrama. The unique architecture of the temple is adorned with two huge domes, a massive courtyard, giant walls, and an assembly hall used to hold prayer and other ceremonies.
Shaheed Minar
Shaheed Minar is a towering structure, built to pay homage to the war martyrs who gave up their lives defending their land against the intruding British in 1891. The war cemetery located nearby houses the graves of brave soldiers, both from the British and Indian armies.
Manipur Zoological Gardens
Situated in Iroisemba en route to Kangchup, the Manipur Zoological Gardens is home to several rare and exotic species of birds and animals, making it one of the major tourist attractions in the region. The brow-antlered deer is one of the rarest animal species in the world and a major attraction at the park.
Ima Market
Ima, which means mother in the local tongue, is an of its kind place with all the shops (nearly 3000) in the market run by women. The place is a favorite for tourists with all the items ranging from vegetables to handicrafts available for sale.
Kangchup
Deer in Keibul Lamjao National Parkington is a beautiful hill station located just 16 km from Imphal at an altitude of 921 mts above sea level. Overlooking the lush Manipur valley, the place houses a health resort that offers several facilities for tourists. Kangchup is also the gateway to Tamenglong.
Morang
Morang, situated 45 km from Imphal, is a historically significant city, being the place that served as the headquarters of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army during the second world war. Lord Thangiing Temple is the scene of the lay hora Oba dance festival, celebrated every year in May.
Keibul Lamjao National Park
The only 'floating national park' in the world is located just 53 km from Imphal on the banks of Lukat Lake. The park is especially known as the last known natural habitat for the brow-antlered deer or the dancing deer, known so for its ability to balance on the drifting grounds.
