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MANIPUR
FESTIVALS
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Festivals are an
inseparable part of our nation and Manipur isn't far behind. It
is festive time throughout the year and Manipuri people enjoy the
colourful festivals. Some of them local to the state are as follows:
Ningol Chakouba
Observed on the
second day of the new moon in the Manipuri month of Hiyangei(November),
this festival acts as a mark of family reunion. Married women of
the family who were married to distant places come to the parental
house along with her children and enjoy sumptuous feast. The festival
is also observed by the Pangals (Manipuri Muslims) to a certain
extent now-a-days.
Yaoshang
Celebrated for five
days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna (february/March),
Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipuri people Hindu by religion.
The Thabal Chongba dance form- a kind of Manipuri folk dance, where
boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle, is particularly
associated with this festival. Boys, girls and old women gather
donations from house to house and the money so collected is spent
in a number of parties and feast. Indeed, Yaosang to Manipur is
what Durga Puja is to Bengal, Diwali in north India and Bihu to
Assam.
KUT
Observed on the
1st of November every year this is an autumnal festival of the different
tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of Manipur. The festival has been
variously described at different places amongst different tribes
as Chavang-Kut or Khodou, etc. The festival is celebrated as a symbol
of gratitude to God, the giver of an abundant harvest.
Gang-Ngai - Festival
of Kabui Nagas
Celebrated for five
days in the month of Wakching (December/Janaury) GANG-NGAI is an
important festival of the Kabui Nagas. The festival opens with the
omen taking ceremony on the first day and the rest of the days are
associated with common feast, dances of old men and women and of
boys and girls, presentation of farewell gifts etc.
Chumpha -festival
of Tangkhul Nagas
Celebrated for seven
days in the month of December, the Chumpha festival is a great festival
of the Tanghul Nagas. The festival is held after harvest. The last
three days are devoted to social gatherings and rejoicing. Unlike
other festivals women play a special role in the festival. The concluding
part of the festival ends with a provession within the village.
Cheiraoba - The
Manipur New Year
During the festival,
people clean and decorate their houses and prepare special festive
dishes which are first offered to various deities. Celebrated during
the month of April, a part of the ritual entails villagers climbing
the nearest hill tops in belief that it will enable them to rise
to greater heights in their worldly life. The Pangals (Manipuri
Muslims) also observe it.
Kang - The RathaJatra
of Manipur
One of the greatest
festivals of the Hindus of Manipur, the festival is celebrated for
ten days(July). Lord Jagannath leaves his temple in a car known
as 'Kang' in Manipur pulled by pilgrims who vie with one another
for this honour.
Heikru Hitongba
It is celebrated
in the month of September, a festival of joy, with little religious
significance along a 16 metre wide boat. Long narrow boats are used
to accommodate a large number of rowers. Idol of Shri Bishnu is
installed before the commencement of the race.
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