Yaoshang Holi of Manipur: A 5000-year-old Cultural Legacy
Yaoshang (or Holi) is one of the major festivals of Manipur, celebrated by the Meiteis and Bishnupriya Manipuris. This spring festival begins on Phalgun Purnima or the first-full moon day of the lamda month. A ceremonial thatched hut is erected in all the localities on the morning of Phalgun Purnima.
Day 1 Celebrations: The festivities begin with devotees singing hymns and kirtans (recitations). Offerings are made to the image / idol of Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in a ceremonial thatched hut.
Devotees providing their offerings to Shree Chaitanya MahaPrabhu
Preparations for the celebrations start in advance. There is a significant increase in the number of visitors in popular destinations like the colourful women’s market (Ima Market) in Imphal.
Women of Ima Market selling items essential in Yaosang
The Kangla Procession: Sporting events form a crucial part of the festival. The local sports meet in Imphal is inaugurated after a procession from Kangla Fort to the local sports complex. People from all walks of life converge at Kangla Fort to light their torches and carry the sacred flame to the sports complex.
Some scenes from a typical Kangla Procession
Yaoshang Mei Thaba: On the evening of Phalgun Purnima, the images or idols of Shree Chaitanya MahaPrabhu are removed from the ceremonial huts. The ceremonial huts are then set ablaze after sunset with chants of “He Hari” and “Hari Bol” reverberating across the nearby hills and valleys.
This ceremonial burning of the hut known as Yaoshang Mei Thaba is as a reminder of the greatness of Shri Hari Vishnu and to celebrate the triumph of his avatars over evil. The auspicious ash from the burnt hut is collected and smeared on the forehead of devotees and at the entrances of houses.
Scenes from Yaoshang Mei Thaba
Nakatheng: That night, local children dress in traditional attire and visit every house in their neighbourhood, giving blessings. The children collect their “gift money” from each household and buy sweets or toffees for themselves. They share these sweets among themselves with much joy and excitement.
Children going from house to house giving blessings during Nakatheng
Day 2 Celebrations: Day 2 of Yaoshang is popularly known as “Pichkari Numit” or “Pichkari Day”. Hindu Vaishnavite devotees and local sankirtan bands perform traditional devotional songs accompanied by instruments like dholaks, cymbals and sea shells at various places of worship and also from home to home. “Pichkari Day” celebrations at the Shree Shree Govindaji temple and the Shree Shree Bijoy Govindaji Temple are famous. Irrespective of age or gender, people play Holi with colours for the remaining days of the festival. Devotees organise processions to many local temples.
Pichkari Day Celebrations at Temples
Celebrations which can be held on any one of the six days: Most localities organise sports events like tug-of-war, football, folk wrestling and the rugby like Yubi Lakpi. These sports events have played a crucial role in keeping a large section of the youth away from alcohol and drugs. Children and youth are given opportunities to participate in public speaking events.
The traditional theatre play known as Shumang Leela is performed at many localities, with great fanfare and public participation.
Shumang Leela being performed and a typical sports meet
Community feasts are organised throughout the festival. Delicious food like Chak-hao gula ( spherical black rice sweets), Singju (snack with lotus stems) and Keli Chana (white pea salad) are served during these feasts. According to tradition, only vegetarian food is consumed during the festival.
Some popular snacks served during feasts
Thabal Chongba (Moonlight Dance): One of the highlights of Yaoshang is the Thabal Chongba, a traditional Manipuri folk dance where young boys and girls hold hands while singing and dancing in a circle. This dance celebrates the spirit of being together under the full moon. The youth share good moments together along with the tunes and beats of music. Married women also organise their own event known as Mou Thabal.
Thabal Chongba
Closing Ceremony: On the sixth day, a procession of young women known as the Brajamai, sets out from the Shree Shree Bijay Govinda Temple to the Shree Shree Govindaji temple to perform the closing ceremony, known as Halankar. The Brajamai represent the women of Braja village, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Scenes from Shri Krishna and Shri Radha’s lives are reenacted. After the performance, the Yaoshang festival comes to an end with a spray of colours.
Brajamani
The Manipuris and their wonderful culture are facing an existential threat in their own motherland due to demographic change, unchecked conversion, incompetent and corrupt leadership and discrimination by successive Bharatiya Governments which only be termed as “legal apartheid”. As their numbers declined, the Meiteis had to take permission from Kuki terror groups and village chiefs [1].
Kuki terrorists had opened fire near the young people celebrating Thabal Chongba in 2023, spreading great panic [2]. Neither the Government nor the Hindu society of Bharat have done enough to provide justice and end the isolation of the last remaining Hindus of our far-east. It is time to prioritise the survival of a 3000 year-old civilisation over party-politics or geopolitical monkey balancing.
References :
[1] The Sangai Express, 26-9-2023, ‘No Christians need to ask permission from other communities to celebrate’.
[2] Victim testimonies.
Vladimir Adityanath
Related posts:
The Prahlad Holika Story and Top 5 Places to Visit During Holi
Varaha: What the 5th Century Udayagiri Caves and 5000 Year Old Kerala Temple Say
How Holi is Played at Braj Bhumi: A Pictorial Representation
Shumang Lila – Medieval Traditional Theatre Art of Manipur with Contemporary Taste
Why the Surf Excel Ad on Holi Creates a Hindu Muslim Divide Rather Than Healing
Panel Discussion on Manipur, Northeast in Western Ghats Lit Fest
