Ima Keithel, Imphal

One of the most unique places in the world, the Ima Keithel at Khwairamband Bazar is the only women’s market. Run entirely by women you can get anything and everything at Ima Keithel. If in one corner a woman is busy weighing a kilo of fish, in another corner amidst the cacophony, a woman can be found knitting and selling freshly made woollens to happy customers.

A tradition that is more than 100 years old, the Ima Keithel is a pure sign of women’s equality and independence. Not a single man is found selling anything here and more than 3000 women have set up their businesses here. From vegetables to fish to handloom and handicraft, you can find anything in Ima Keithel.

Ima Keithel is a Manipuri word where Ima means “mother” and Keithel means “market”. Irrespective of communities and religion, any woman can set up a store here.