IMPHAL

Imphal, the capital of the State of Manipur, bordering on Burma, lies on a flat valley surrounded by mountains. Access by road is difficult, over the hills of Nagaland. Manipur is famous for its dancing, which is slow-moving compated to other styles prevalent in the country. Polo is said to have originated in Manipur and there is also a special variety of Manipuri hockey in which the players grapple each other in pairs. Moirang, 45 kms from Manipur, was the setting for the love story of Khamba and Tholbi on which famous dance is based. There is a temple for the forest god in which one can see the robes of the 12th century Moirang kings. The Loktak Lake is 45 kms from Imphal. There is also the wildlife sanctuary of Keibul Lamjao . About 60 kms from Imphal is the hill town of Cuurchandrapur which is a handcrafts centre.