Eight kilometers from Imphal, at the foot of the pine-covered hillocks, you will find a wealth of rare birds, animals and reptiles at the Manipur Zoological Gardens. In the zoo's sylvan surroundings, you will even get a glimpse of one of the rarest species of deer in the world, the graceful brow-antlered thamin deer.
Khonghampat Orchidarium
Then there is the Khonghampat Orchidarium that has more than a
hundred rare varieties of orchids. The best time to visit the
orchidarium is in the months of April and May when the orchids
are in full bloom.
Shri Govindajee Temple
The core of Imphal's traditions, however, lies in its various
temples. The most important of these is the Shri Govindajee
Temple, a historic center for Vaishnavites. A simple, twin-domed
structure, it adjoins the magnificent palace of the former rulers
of Manipur. Constructed in the early 18th century under the
Rajarishi Bhagyachandra regime, the temple comes alive during
festivals when thousands of people come to offer prayers.
Khwairamband Bazaar
One of the main features of Imphal is the Khwairamband Bazaar.
What makes this market different is that it is run by women.
Split into two sections on either side of the road, it has tribal
women clad in colorful, traditional attire, selling everything
from hand-woven shawls, skirts, vessels, mugs and mats to fish,
lotus, oranges and orange-flavored honey. And if you wander in
the quaint by lanes around the market, you will get a glimpse of
Manipur's customs and traditions.
Manipur State Museum
The Manipur State Museum is another place that is worth a visit.
The museum has a rich collection of Manipuri costumes, war
implements, historical documents and relics, and gives you a
sample of the state's complex history.
Shahid Minar
Right in the heart of the city is the tall Shahid Minar at the
Bir Tirkendrajit Park that was built in memory of Manipur's
martyrs who sacrificed their lives for India's
independence.
