Last Updated At: 21-Mar-2024
India is rich in heritage, cultures, traditions, diversity and whatnot. Numerous states and territories of the South Asian nation back the vast diversity. One of the locations depicting the country's unique culture is Manipur. Manipur means “The Land of Gems”. It is the capital of Imphal and is located to the North East of the Indian Subcontinent.
Like other states of the country, Manipur has festivals and occasions that delight locals and tourists alike. Therefore, if you find yourself in Manipur, India, do witness these magical moments dedicated to new harvests and prosperous life. Here are some top festivals in Manipur!
The best way to explore a place is by visiting its tourist spots and participating in its festivals. Thankfully, Manipur has both of them. Hence, don’t forget to check out this famous festival of Manipur.
The inception of the new year is celebrated in diverse forms nationwide. The festival that marks the beginning of the new year in Manipur is Cheiraoba. Though the festival's name is different, its way of celebration and customs aligns with the ways of the other state.
It is celebrated on the first day of the Sajibu month, on the 13th or 14th of April. There is a vital aspect of this festival in Manipur. Today, people climb to the nearest hill tops, believing it will enable them to rise higher. They dress in traditional attires, visit their friends and relatives, and offer gifts. Dishes like Ooti, Pakora, Eromba, etc., blend perfectly with the occasion.
Also Read - Tourist Places To Visit In Manipur
Yes, Yaoshang is celebrated with similar energy and customs as Holi. If you are in Manipur during the February-March period, you can see this festival being celebrated there. It is a 5-day festival that begins on the full moon day of Phalguna month. So, you will have a lot of time to enjoy it.
Everyone from the young to the old participates and celebrates it with music and dance. People throw dry and wet colours at each other. There is a unique dance that is an attraction named the Thabal Chongba dance. People do this by setting a hut on fire to offer their devotion. Children go to various households to get donations and throw parties and feasts.
As its name suggests, the Kut festival is celebrated in Manipur to thank god for the great and successful harvest season. The prosperous occasion happens in November when the harvest season ends. The festival is also known as Chavang-Kut or Khodou. Chavang signifies Autumn, and Kut stands for harvest.
During the festivity, people thank god by singing and dancing with each other. On top of that, various games and feasts are served to the people. In the ancient days, Kut was just a tradition, but it has evolved into one of the major festivals of the state. Kuki, Chin, and Mizo tribes celebrate it.
Also Read - Famous Food Of Manipur
The Manipur Festival list is long, and this is the prime one. Why? The Kang festival is a rath yatra that is celebrated for 10 days. Celebrated by the Meitei tribe, the theme of the Kang Rath Yatra is adopted from the festival of Puri, Odisha. It is celebrated in the Govindjee temple in Manipur. During the period, the idols of Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra are taken in the Kang (rath), which numerous devotees pull.
This is done to honour Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra. Along with enthusiastically pulling the rath, devotees also play bells, nahal, and gong. At the end of the day, community feasts are organised for all.
If you are an art and culture enthusiast, do visit Manipur in November to celebrate the Sangai festival. Sangai is a lively festival in Manipur that has numerous vital events and attractions. First of all, let’s talk about history. The festival saw its first celebration in 2010, and since then, the practice has continued to showcase the unique culture and art of the northeastern state.
The festival showcases numerous types of dances, music, sports, and exhibitions of Manipur. Further, you can also enjoy local directors' movies and short films. The film festival is a part of the Sangai festival and is organised by MSFDS and Film Forum Manipur.
Every state uniquely celebrates its harvest, including Manipur. The famous festival of Manipur harvest is known as Chumpha. The vibrant festival is celebrated for seven days in a row after the harvest by the Tanghul Nagas community. Like other festivals, scrumptious food, cultural events, dances, and social gatherings are integral to the celebrations.
People of the state meet, greet, and bestow gifts to each other. Women and men dress up in their traditional attires, Kashans and Machung. On top of this, traditional foods like Ngari, pork, rice, and fermented vegetables are served. On the seventh day of the festival, people carry out a huge parade.
Just like the Chumpha festival celebrates the state's harvest, the Lui Ngai Ni festival marks the beginning of the seed-sowing season. Naga and the people of other tribes celebrate this festival with joy and enthusiasm. While welcoming the plantation season, the Naga communities can showcase their history and culture.
As a part of the celebrations, the community's people dress traditionally. The celebrations include performances of traditional songs followed by drumming. The motive of dancing and singing is to pay homage to the god of crops. So, if you are in Manipur, join this early-year festival.
Manipur is a perfect embodiment of peace and harmony among various tribes. One of those tribes is Kabui Nagas which celebrates this auspicious festival of Gang Ngai. Gang Ngai festival is dedicated to honouring the ancestors of the tribe and is celebrated for five days. To participate in the festivals, you must visit Manipur in winter.
On the first day, you will see people indulging in an omen-taking ceremony. Post that, for the next four days, people participate in various programs and activities. Scrumptious feasts are served while people sing, dance, and play music using traditional instruments. People even exchange gifts among the tribe.
The concept of Ningol Chakouba is similar to the Teej festival in North India. Ningol Chakouba stands as a famous festival of Manipur that the Meiteis or the Vaishnavites celebrate. It falls on the second day of the new moon in the month of Hiyangei (Manipuri month), usually in November.
At the festival, married women are invited by their parents to their houses with children. They are welcomed with extreme warmth and joy. Further, the women and children are treated with tasty meals and gifts. At the end of the day, women return to their homes. This festival is a bloom for those women who live in remote areas.
The Heirku Hindongba is one of a kind main festival of Manipur. It is celebrated on the eleventh day of the Langbal month. The primary part of the festival is the exciting boat race on a canal in the Bijoy Govinda area. The youth from the local area participate in this boat race while many other people enjoy it as spectators.
Before the grand festival, the boats are properly cleaned with holy shlokas. They are also decorated with garlands. The periphery of the canals erects tents for spectators to witness the exciting event. Before the race begins, brahmins offer the deities with silver and gold.
If you have read so far, you must be thrilled to go to Manipur and participate in these festivities. However, one thing that may make you scratch your head is the planning process. Don’t worry! Leave it to Adotrip.com. We are the masters of tours and travel planning that ensure a stress-less travel experience. Our comprehensive services include visa assistance, flight booking, sightseeing tours, and hotel booking. We can also assist you in getting hotel deals on travel packages. With us, nothing is far!
Q. What are the most popular festivals celebrated in Manipur?
A. Manipur is a northeastern state that is rich in cultural heritage. It hosts festivals like Heirku Hindongba, Chumpha, Cheiraoba, and more.
Q. When is the ideal time to visit Manipur for its festivals?
A. If you want to visit Manipur, visit during November. You can participate in Ningol Chakouba, Kut, and Sangai festivals.
Q. What are some unique cultural practices that visitors can witness during these festivals?
A. Manipur visitors can participate in the boat race during the Heirku Hindongba festival, pull rath in the Kang festival or dance in traditional attire during Sangai.
Q. Are there any specific customs or traditions that visitors should know during the festivals?
A. Yes, there are some specific customs and traditions that visitors need to follow. Visitors should follow the right dress code, respect elders, offer food to others first, and ask for permission before taking pictures.
Q. Where can visitors find the best accommodations during festival season in Manipur?
A. If your trip to Manipur will be of multiple days, you can find accommodation in various hotels like the Sangai Continental, Classic Grande, Daani Continental, etc.
Q. Are there any particular food items that are a must-try during the festivals?
A. There are countless delicacies of Manipur that you should take notice of. You must try Chamthong, Singju salad, Eromba, and Morok Metpa.
Q. What kind of activities can visitors participate in during the festivals?
A. Visitors can participate in various activities while on their tour to Manipur. You can go shopping to buy traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. Further, take part in cultural programs like dancing and singing.
Q. How can visitors reach the festival venues in Manipur?
A. If the visitors need to reach festive venues in Manipur, they can take up buses, trains, autorickshaws, and cabs based on the destination.
Q. Are there any safety measures that visitors should take during the festivals?
A. If you want to stay safe on your trip to Manipur during the festive season, stay away from unknown food and drinks, keep your dress code appropriate, mind your surroundings, and stay with a group if travelling at night.
Q. What are some of the visitors' most memorable moments during the festivals in Manipur?
A. Manipur's culture and heritage have created an everlasting impression on visitors' minds. Some memorable moments that visitors admire are traditional performances, cultural programs, local cuisine, and the festive atmosphere.
--- Published By Adotrip
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