Manipur

Autumn brings festivity in Manipur with the fragrance of season flowers, dew drops on the green grass under the starry sky at night. Lilies and lotus bloom brightly on the ponds and water bodies. The people of Manipur find it an ideal season to worship the gods and goddesses. The dominating festival here is the Kwak Jatra. This is the Manipuri version of the Durga Puja where the goddess of strength is worshipped for four or five days. The best place to visit during the week long festival is Imphal. The count down starts on the day of Mahalaya, just a week ahead of the festival.

Manipur is full of festivals. Hardly a week passes without any occasion of fun and frolic much to the delight of the tourists who visit the north eastern state during the winter season. Ningol Chakouba festival is one of the most wonderful festival of the Meiteis which comes up on second day of the lunar month of Hiyanggei (October-November). The social festival is basically a get together of the married off girls along with their children who visit their parental house to be received with feast.

The Meities in Manipur has a festival without a fixed date to be celebrated. Known as Heikru Hidongba, festival was said to have originated long before Rajarshi Bhagyachandra where Sanamahi Pakhangba is worshipped. The then king fixed the schedule. The celebration remained more or less unchanged during the time of Meiding-u Irengba. These were allowed to continue even during the time Meiding-u Maramba (Gourashyam).
 

Cheiraoba festival in Manipur marks the new year in the month of April with much pomp and gaiety. The countdown begins after the various deities are worshipped on the occasion. Every household gets a fresh look before the commencement of the festival. The best place to visit during this celebration is Imphal which wears a festive look.
 
The most striking ritual is the hill climbing which pulls no less crowd in the hilly hamlets where the people climb the hilltops believing that they would be able to rise to greater heights in future. 
 

Kut, the name of festival of the Kuki-Chin and Mizo people in Manipur plays no less role in uniting the people of all sections of the society in the north eastern state. The annual autumnal festival is basically an occasion of prayers for the Almighty for bounteous harvest and prosperity. The three colourful tribes display their age old rich culture, tradition and performance in the much-vaunted festival which falls on November 1 every year marking an end to the harvest season.

Nothing could be more holistic and interesting than a week long celebrations of color and festive fervor in Manipur. An unique six-day long Holi festival celebrated in Manipur is the one of kind festival as the rest of the country concludes it in two or three days. Devout believers of Lord Krishna, the Manipuris create an atmosphere of festive fiesta during the celebration of joys as the holy colors paint the people and the streets in a myriad of shades.

The Muslims in Manipur celebrate the eid with much traditional religious fervour boosting bonhomie among the people of different castes and creeds. Known as Ramjan eid among Meitei Pangal, the joyous festival falls in the nineth month of Hijri year. Pomp and gaiety grip the people as they celebrate the biggest and most popular eid festivals in the north eastern state.
 

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 full moon day of Phalgun (March) brings new charm and enthusiasm to Manipur. The people in the princely state find a nice occasion to celebrate Yaoshang, a solemn festival that attracts no less tourists in the north eastern state. The five day long festival is also known as the festival of colours which marks the advent of spring season. The people, mostly, belonging to Hinduism sprinkle natural powder to celebrate the festival dedicated to the Lord Krishna.
 

Manipur, the land of colourful people and places is known for the various festival that helps the state retain age old culture, unity and integrity among the people of all castes and creeds. The festivals, mostly, are presided over by the traditional deities and ancestors.  Mention may be made of