Tuesday, January 23. 2007
Imphal, Manipur, India
Overview:
This north eastern state has beauty unlimited and this is its primary offering. Quiet and unsullied by excess commercialisation, Imphal retains what nature gave it in abundance - the faces of nature the way God meant it to be. Mountains and valleys, lakes and ponds, flora and fauna - Imphal is a nature lovers' paradise. Small as it us in area, this state is rich when it comes to its culture, traditions, festivals, dances, handlooms and handicrafts.
Imphal has an ancient Hindu tribal culture that has flourished in the valley, which is dotted with exquisitely maintained war cemeteries. A classical dance form and a time-honoured art of weaving have prospered here as has modern-day polo, believed to have originated in the neighbouring plateau.
This state is predominantly Hindu but feels more like Southeast Asia than India, which could be the only thing construed as a problem - most people here understand neither English nor Hindi.
Population: About 8,33,312
Climate: Imphal is blessed with a mild and pleasant climate and is not really given to extremes during the summer. But winter can get quite cold given the generous green cover that the state has. Maximum temperatures rise to 32°C while the winters can see numbers plunging to single digits.
Main Language(s): Hindi and English
Time Zone: GMT + 05:30
Phone Area Code: 0385
Best Time To Visit: Imphal is best visited between the months of October and February. The weather permits one to take in the place as also see a few sights, like migratory birds, that are season-specific.
Airport Distance from City Center: 7 kms
Taxi Rates from Airport to City: Private taxi service available at Rs. 200 to city centre.
Places To Visit:
Shaheed Minar
Dominating the skyline of Manipur, Imphal's capital city, this tall minar at Bir Tikendrajit Park stands as both tribute and testimony to the invincible spirit of the Meitei tribe and other tribal martyrs who went down, fighting the British in 1891.
War Cemeteries
A reminder of how the dead need to be treated, especially when those that died were soldiers at war. The remains of this former battleground of WW II are manifested in the grimly beautiful cemeteries with memorials of British and Indian soldiers. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, these neatly preserved graves are decorated with stone and bronze plaques that tell stories of sacrifice and valour.
Langthabal
Driving down the Indo-Myanmar Road (8 km) you will come across this quaint cluster of old palaces and shrines set amidst well-laid out orchards. Situated on the top of a small hill the place offers fabulous views of the Manipur University and the valleys beyond.
The Manipur State Museum
The Museum is a good place to take a look at the traditional costumes and weapons of this state. The museum boasts of an interesting collection of geological and archaeological specimens, making one wonder just how man progressed from then to now.
Shri Govindjee Temple
The most famous Vaishnavite temple in the state, this majestic structure stands out for its two gold-topped domes visible from afar. The temple complex is thronged by hordes of devotees who are accommodated in the huge prayer hall where the priests come down to accept their offerings for the presiding deities of Krishna, Balarama and Jagannath.
Phubala
A charming resort on the western fringes of the Loktak lake and 40 kms from Imphal, this delightful place is joined to the mainland by a low causeway. If you like water, there is plenty of boating to do as also other water sports that are in the process of being introduced.
Khwairamband Bazaar
The unique thing about this market is undoubtedly the fact that it is run entirely by tribal women, a prominent example of the matriarchal societies prevalent in the North-East. Not all reasons to come here are sociological though. There are fantastic stores where you can indulge in colourful hand woven dresses, shawls and mats. If you are cooking on your own, there is fish and fruit on sale too. Smaller by-lanes of the market house some rare treasures of traditional Manipuri craftsmanship hidden in some tiny wayside shop.
Shopping
Once you see the bright, hand woven Phanek or the traditional Manipuri wrap-around dresses that the local women favour, you will need to buy one. These garments are beautiful and bright, with designs that you will only find in North-eastern India. The cane and bamboo artefacts and even toys, colourful mats and shawls that adorn the quaint shops all over the town will make for some great gifts. Try the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Sales Emporium at Paona Bazaar or the Manipur Development Society, an autonomous body working for the promotion of Manipuri handicrafts.
This north eastern state has beauty unlimited and this is its primary offering. Quiet and unsullied by excess commercialisation, Imphal retains what nature gave it in abundance - the faces of nature the way God meant it to be. Mountains and valleys, lakes and ponds, flora and fauna - Imphal is a nature lovers' paradise. Small as it us in area, this state is rich when it comes to its culture, traditions, festivals, dances, handlooms and handicrafts.
Imphal has an ancient Hindu tribal culture that has flourished in the valley, which is dotted with exquisitely maintained war cemeteries. A classical dance form and a time-honoured art of weaving have prospered here as has modern-day polo, believed to have originated in the neighbouring plateau.
This state is predominantly Hindu but feels more like Southeast Asia than India, which could be the only thing construed as a problem - most people here understand neither English nor Hindi.
Population: About 8,33,312
Climate: Imphal is blessed with a mild and pleasant climate and is not really given to extremes during the summer. But winter can get quite cold given the generous green cover that the state has. Maximum temperatures rise to 32°C while the winters can see numbers plunging to single digits.
Main Language(s): Hindi and English
Time Zone: GMT + 05:30
Phone Area Code: 0385
Best Time To Visit: Imphal is best visited between the months of October and February. The weather permits one to take in the place as also see a few sights, like migratory birds, that are season-specific.
Airport Distance from City Center: 7 kms
Taxi Rates from Airport to City: Private taxi service available at Rs. 200 to city centre.
Places To Visit:
Shaheed Minar
Dominating the skyline of Manipur, Imphal's capital city, this tall minar at Bir Tikendrajit Park stands as both tribute and testimony to the invincible spirit of the Meitei tribe and other tribal martyrs who went down, fighting the British in 1891.
War Cemeteries
A reminder of how the dead need to be treated, especially when those that died were soldiers at war. The remains of this former battleground of WW II are manifested in the grimly beautiful cemeteries with memorials of British and Indian soldiers. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, these neatly preserved graves are decorated with stone and bronze plaques that tell stories of sacrifice and valour.
Langthabal
Driving down the Indo-Myanmar Road (8 km) you will come across this quaint cluster of old palaces and shrines set amidst well-laid out orchards. Situated on the top of a small hill the place offers fabulous views of the Manipur University and the valleys beyond.
The Manipur State Museum
The Museum is a good place to take a look at the traditional costumes and weapons of this state. The museum boasts of an interesting collection of geological and archaeological specimens, making one wonder just how man progressed from then to now.
Shri Govindjee Temple
The most famous Vaishnavite temple in the state, this majestic structure stands out for its two gold-topped domes visible from afar. The temple complex is thronged by hordes of devotees who are accommodated in the huge prayer hall where the priests come down to accept their offerings for the presiding deities of Krishna, Balarama and Jagannath.
Phubala
A charming resort on the western fringes of the Loktak lake and 40 kms from Imphal, this delightful place is joined to the mainland by a low causeway. If you like water, there is plenty of boating to do as also other water sports that are in the process of being introduced.
Khwairamband Bazaar
The unique thing about this market is undoubtedly the fact that it is run entirely by tribal women, a prominent example of the matriarchal societies prevalent in the North-East. Not all reasons to come here are sociological though. There are fantastic stores where you can indulge in colourful hand woven dresses, shawls and mats. If you are cooking on your own, there is fish and fruit on sale too. Smaller by-lanes of the market house some rare treasures of traditional Manipuri craftsmanship hidden in some tiny wayside shop.
Shopping
Once you see the bright, hand woven Phanek or the traditional Manipuri wrap-around dresses that the local women favour, you will need to buy one. These garments are beautiful and bright, with designs that you will only find in North-eastern India. The cane and bamboo artefacts and even toys, colourful mats and shawls that adorn the quaint shops all over the town will make for some great gifts. Try the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Sales Emporium at Paona Bazaar or the Manipur Development Society, an autonomous body working for the promotion of Manipuri handicrafts.
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