This is the place where Rajarsee Bhagyachandra created the famous Ras Lila, the classical dance of Manipur, out of his enchanting dream by the grace of Lord Krishna. Her folk dances reveal the mythological concept of creation of Manipur. 

It is bound by Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south, Upper Mayanmar in the east and Cachar district of Assam in the west. Imphal is surrounded by hills on all the sides. 

Almost 67% of the geographical area of Manipur is hill tract covered forests. Depending on the altitude of hill ranges, the climatic condition varies from tropical to sub-alpine. The wet forests and the pine forests occur between 900-2700 m above MSL and they together sustain a host of rare and endemic plant and animal life. 

One can also witness Ukhrul, the Hoolock Gibbon, the Sloe Loris, the Clauded Leopard, the Spotted Linshang, Mrs. Hume's Barbacked Pheasant, Blyths Tragopan, Burmese Pea-Fowl, four different species of Hornbills etc. The most unique of these is the Sangai the dancing deer. The floating mass of vegetation on the Loktak Lake sustains small herds of this endemic deer which unfortunately has the dubious distinction of being the most threatened Cervid (known as Phumdi) in the World. Other mentionable fauna is Salamander known as 'Lengwa' found at the foothill of Siroi in Ukhrul.

Transport and Communication

Air
Daily flight connects Imphal with major cities like NEw Delhi, Calcutta, Guwahati, Silchar.

Rail
Dimapur 215 Kms. from Imphal, is the nearest railhead. Another railhead is at Jiribam, a small town on Manipur's border. It is 225 kms. from Imphal.

Road
Imphal is connected by road with Guwahati (Assam) through National Highway No. 39 and Silchar (Assam) through National Highway No. 53.