Imphal

Location: Imphal District, Manipur
Climate:
Summers: 38⁰C (Maximum), 18⁰C (Minimum)
Winters: 15⁰C (Maximum), 5⁰C (Minimum)
Best Time to Visit: October to March
Nearest Airport: Imphal Airport
Nearest Railhead: Dimapur Railway Station
Must Visits: Kangla Fort, Manipur Zoological Gardens, Khonghampat Orchidarium, Shri Govindajee Temple, Khwairamband Bazaar, Manipur State Museum, Shahid Minar
Language Spoken: Manipuri, English and Hindi.
STD Code: 03852 (Imphal west), 0385 (Imphal East)

Imphal is a conspicuous city tucked in the northeastern part of India. It is a proud capital of north easternmost state of Manipur. Imphal city is the centre of all cultural, commercial and political activities of the state. Situated at an average altitude of 786 m above the sea level, this city has a humid subtropical climate with cool and dry winters, warm summers and moderate monsoon with an average rainfall of 1320 mm in the month of June. As such, the best time to cherish this naturally blessed tourist destination is from the month of October to March. Though Imphal is a small city, it has a very rich cultural and traditional heritage which can be seen in its people, traditions, customs and handicrafts. Imphal is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, traditional handlooms and authentic handicrafts.

Nestled in the Manipur Valley and surrounded by hills, Imphal is believed to be one of the most ancient towns of Indian subcontinent. Earlier, Imphal was the seat of the kings of Manipur, but later it was conquered by British in 1826. In 1944, during the World War II, the Battle of Imphal, along with the simultaneous Battle of Kohima happened here, which is believed to be a major turmoil in the Burma campaign. At that time, the Japanese lost the initiative to the Anglo-Indian powers, who, in turn, retained it until the end of the war. Later, on 18 June 1997, the Imphal district was separated into two distinct districts of Imphal East and Imphal West. This tiny but significant city of Imphal is effectively connected to the other cities of India with its own airport and well maintained roads. However, the nearest railway station to the Imphal and Manipur is at Dimapur, which is 215 km away from the town.

Imphal boasts of an excellent blend of natural beauty and man made architectural marvels, which attract thousands of tourists, every year. The city is a major trade centre, noted for its weaving, brass-ware, bronze-ware, and other cottage industries around the globe. Some of the major tourist attractions in and around the city are Kangla Fort, Polo Grounds (world's oldest existing polo ground) Manipur Zoological Gardens, Khonghampat Orchidarium, Shri Govindajee Temple, Khwairamband Bazaar ('Ima Keithel'- world's only market run by women), Manipur State Museum and Shahid Minar. The landscape of green-blue hills (Koubrou and Namaijing ranges), lush fields and low clouds forms a garland around the valley with hundreds of multi-coloured orchids, which is truly a natural delight for nature lovers!

Best Time To Visit Imphal
Applauded worldwide for its ethnic tribes, esoteric 'vaishnavite' rituals, and, not to forget, its classical dance form - ras leela, Imphal definitely enjoys a prized cultural standing among its other northeastern counterparts.

History Of Imphal
The capital city of Manipur and home to the historical Kangla Palace, Imphal is renowned for its world-famous 'Ras Lila' dance, the Sangai dancing deer and its historical association to World War II. Much of the history of this place is blotched with stories of blood battles,

How To Reach Imphal
Imphal, one of the famous tourist destinations in India, boasts of strong culture and rich tradition. Lush greenery, pleasant climate and tourism attractions like Govindajee Temple, Women's market or Ima Keithel,

Places To Visit In Imphal
Perched on a beautiful oval-shaped valley and intersected by several narrow rivers, the mesmerizing city of Imphal is every traveler's delight. If you are bored of your routine life and looking for a perfect family retreat,

Shopping In Imphal
Imphal is gradually turning out to become one of the major tourism hotspots in India. Strategically located in the Manipur River Valley, Imphal is famous for its lush greenery, hills and pristine rivers.