Manipur, the land of festival celebrates the Lord Jagannath yatra with much traditional religious fervour in June and July every year. The ten day long festival marks the annual journey of the Lord Krishna along with his His brother Balram and sister Subhadra on a chariot. People, in large number pull a huge chariot with much pomp and gaiety.
The Manipuris call it Kangchingba where the Lord, his brother and sister travel at a Kang in the traditional month of Ingen.The attraction is the well decorated chariot of 20 ft height with six iron wheels to be pulled by the devotees which resembles to that of the huge chariot in Puri. People, who eagerly keep waiting in the road side greet the idols of the trio with fruits and flowers.
The best part of the festival takes place in Imphal where colourful procession of sankirtana gets overwhelming response from the people irrespective of castes and creeds. A section of the people believe that the Lord Jaganath of Puri reached the valley of Manipur via Bengal to be named as Jagabondhu. The devotees call it is a time to watch out for the proceedings in every neighbourhood.
On the first and final day of the festival, people keep close eyes on the every happenings in the nook and corners of their areas. The children also take delight of the festival by preparing garlands of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Another best spot to visit in Manipur in this festival is the Radha Krishnachandra Mandir at Sagaiprou where the procession goes upto Keishampat Junction with overwhelming response.
After the end of dance and song at the rhythm of the Pung, the devotees take the taste of cooked rice with dal, turmeric, chilly and salt and ghee, peas, pieces of bamboo shoot with salt on plaintain trunk.
