Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 4 (EMN): The celebration of the Kang (Rath Jatra) festival began on Thursday with pomp and gaiety in Manipur. The Kang festival in the state begins on the second day of the Engen month of the Manipuri lunar calendar and ends on the 10th day of the month.
The main events of the festival include pulling a Kang, a chariot, and offering of flowers and fruits to Shree Shree Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra.
The pulling of Kang was held at the Shree Shree Govindajee temple complex here.
A large number of devotees turned up in their traditional attires at the Palace Gate and temple to take part in the festival despite seasonal heat.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple authority here also celebrated the festival by pulling a mini-Kang along the Imphal International airport road in Imphal.
Almost all the localities of the state’s valley areas also celebrated the Kang festival, besides holding religious rituals in the evenings at community halls. The festival, which will conclude on July 11, will also have daily community feasts.
Earlier, Chief Minister Biren Singh greeted the people of Manipur especially the Hindus as they celebrate the festival.
“Kang festival is an occasion to remember God and clean our hearts, cultivate the character of humility, charity and compassion for all beings,” Singh stated in a message.
“I pray to Lord Jagannath to shower the state with joy, prosperity and peaceful co-existence among all communities.”
Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Yumnam Khemchand too wished the people of Manipur on the occasion.
Revenue Minister Karam Shyam, and Information and Public Relations Minister Th Biswajit Singh also conveyed their wishes to the people of Manipur.
