Yaoshang, one of the most important festivals of Manipur, ushers in spring and is celebrated for five days during the Meitei lunar month of Lamta. During the month of Lamta, womenfolk come out in the streets to appease the spirits on every Saturday (LamtaThangja) with offerings collected from every household in the locality.
“Yaoshang is one of the biggest festivals of the Meitei community. It is celebrated with much enthusiasm and great joy by everyone irrespective of age and gender. Playing with colours, Thabal Chongba and cultural performances are important features of Yaoshang," Caretaker chief minister N Biren said.
Traditionally, the celebration of the festival begins with a ritual of burning of a thacthed hut.
"It was such a divine pleasure to attend the Yaoshang Mei Thaba ceremony this evening at my locality. Yaoshang Mei Thaba (burning of a thatched hut) is a ritual which marks the beginning of the 'Festival of Colours' - Yaoshang/Holi in Manipur," Biren tweeted.
In the last few decades, local clubs have started organising sport events for children and women-folk and a sporting movement ensued. Besides, the revivalist tendencies involved, it is a creative and innovative idea of introducing sports during Yaoshang festival.
The emphasis in these sports is more on participating by all irrespective of age and sex,” Governor La Ganesan said in his message to the people of Manipur
"... a trend of channeling the festive energy towards sporting events to spot out talents at the grassroots has been witnessed over the years,” Biren said.
(PHOTO: IFP)
Dressed in vibrant joyful colours of the festival, participating local bodies wait in turn to get the sacred fire from Kangla to kick off the Yaoshang sports festival celebration organised by local clubs across the state.
(PHOTO: IFP)
Some capture the happy festive moment to cherish. With the Covid restrictions withdrawn and permit given to celebrate festival, the locals, including womenfolk, came out in great numbers, in colouful traditional wears, all geared up to take part in the sporting event.
Kangla, Imphal: The Stage for Yaoshang Sports Festival 2022 is set.
Apart from sporting events and Thabal Chongba, locals hold grand feast in celebration of the festival.
“One of the special features of Yaoshang is the organizing of grand feasts in local communities, where women of the locality gather and interact. As such, the festival also provides a space for sharing of joy and happiness among residents”.
Read More:
After a long break due to COVID, festive thrill of Yaoshang celebration is back
Yaoshang Festival of Manipur: Seven fascinating facts - culture and tradition
