Yaoshang festival begins in Manipur

People in Manipur began the local version of Holi celebrations called Yaoshang, the greatest festival of the state, with ritual burning of the Yaoshang structure made of straw and bamboo on Tuesday. The festival will conclude on March 11.

The festival which commemorates the birthday of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, marks the rejuvenation of the spirit of life and is celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm.

The festival usually begins on full Moon day of the Meitei Lunar month of Lamta (February-March) and is celebrated for five days.

The highlight of the festival, celebrated mostly in the valley area by the Meiteis, is collection of contributions from households by pre-puberty young boys and girls dressed in their finery, playing with colours and water. The main highlight of the festival includes the Thabal Chongba, a traditional Manipuri folk dance where boys and girls hold hands, sing and dance in a circle.

Khwairamband Keithel, the main shopping site in Imphal were crowded from early morning till the afternoon for their last minute marketing right from their daily essential commodities, clothes, etc. As a result all roads leading to Imphal town witnessed heavy traffic.

On the first day, the members of local clubs thronged the historic Kangla Fort to collect the sacred fire for their torch rallies.

The media houses have also announced a five-day holiday on account of the festival. As a result, no Imphal based daily newspaper will hit the stands till March 12. The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union, the main body of the scribes in the state, has even organised a five-day sports meet on the occasion of the festival.

Manipur Governor Sushri Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Speaker Th  Satyabrata and others, in their separate messages, have conveyed greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Yaoshang festival.

Wishing the people a joyous Yaoshang, the state police department has appealed to the people to cooperate in maintaining peace and harmony during the festival.

All the police station officers have been instructed to maintain strict vigil on anti-social elements and intensive patrolling by the local police to deal with any untoward situation, said the police in an appeal. Imphal, March 7 (EMN):