explore the vivacity of manipur through its colorful festivals
TRANSCRIPT
Explore the Vivacity of Manipur through Its Colorful Festivals
Along with Assam, Manipur is one more shining gem on the tourism map of North-East
India. Just like Assam, Manipur too is endowed with rich cultural heritage and natural
glory. In fact, the name of the state literally means “a jeweled land”, which is fairly
correct in the matter of being gifted with tranquil natural beauty. Surrounded with
Mizoram in the south, Nagaland in the north, Cachar district in the west and Upper
Myanmar in the east, Manipur enjoys an exceptional demographics and diverse culture
overall. The city is mostly famous as the land of festivities, fun and cheerfulness that
make the place lively all through the year. These vibrant festivals and celebration show
the rich culture and spiritual desires of people of Manipur. Read the article to know
about the splendor and culture of the place depicting through its beautiful festivals.
Yaoshang (Festival of Manipur Hindus)
Yaoshang is one of the most popular Hindu festivals in Manipur. The celebration of this
festival goes on for an entire five day. The festival starts from the full moon day of Hindu
month Phalguna (February / March). Apart from the colorful aura and cheerful festivities,
Thabal Chongba dance is one of the major highlights of this festival. Thabal Chongba is
a particular type of Manipuri folk dance, which is performed by ladies and gents holding
their hands together while dancing and singing in a circular arrangement.
Gang-Ngai (Festival of Kabui Nagas)
Gang-Ngai is also a five days long festival to be celebrated by the Kabui Naga clan of
Manipur. It starts on the first day of the omen taking ceremony and is celebrated in the
month of December and January. There are community feasts, which comprised of a
number of music and dance programs and performances that keep the audience
charmed for a long time.
Kang Festival (The Rath Yatra of Manipur)
Kang Festival is a very special Hindu festival of Manipur, which is quite similar to the
Rath Yatra Festival Odisha. It is a 10-days long celebration organized in the month of
July. In this festival, Lord Jagannath is taken in a car called as to as the ‘Kang’. The
Kang is pulled by the devotees and the pilgrims. This imposing line is escorted with holy
music of bells, drums, gongs and conch coupled with folk dancers. Apart from that,
devotees also perform some religious songs called as ‘Khubakisei’ and community
feasts in the evenings.
Cheiraoba (The Manipur New Year)
It is a festival that is celebrated to enjoy the commencement of New Year for the people
of Manipur. So, it is celebrated with immense festivity and fervor in the month of April.
The get-together of New Year begins with the offering of especially prepared festive
dishes to different deities. Another major highlight of this festival is that the villagers
climb to the close by hilltops of their native place. This represents that this act will make
them to achieve bigger heights in their lives.
Heikru Hidongba
Heigru Hidongba is basically the boat race festival, which is celebrated by the Meities
society of Manipur. It is an important joyous festival and marks the racing of two boats
with splendor and enthusiasm. This festival is celebrated to offer a prayer to God for the
wellbeing and happiness of the nation and its people.
Laiharaoba Festival
Lai-Haraoba is celebrated to give tribute to Umang Lai, deity of the sylvan locale of the
state. During the festival, men and women dance in front of the idols of gods and
goddesses, as part of the custom. The devotees bend over the spirits of their ancestors
during the Lai Haraoba festival and ask for the blessings of the god and their
predecessors.
KUT (Festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo)
This colorful festival is celebrated on 1st November annually and managed by the
different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of Manipur. The festival has been given with
various names including, Chavang Kut or Khodou at diverse places by different tribes.
Most importantly, the main reason behind celebration of this festival is to give thanks.
This festival is marked by cheerful songs and dances in the honor of the giver (tribe /
village) of a plentiful harvest.
There are many other festivals in Manipur that are celebrated with full fervor and
enthusiasm and bring happiness in their lives. Book your ticket today if you want to
experience all these amazing festival of Manipur.