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.