Yaoshang – the Holi festival of Manipur

• By thegreenbunk
• July 9, 2015
• With 0 comments

Today is the full-moon day of Lamta, the last month of the Manipuri lunar calendar. Men and women are assembled here this evening for a ritual – that of burning a thatched hut made of hay and bamboo – what the Manipuris also call Yaoshang Mei Thaba, which marks the beginning of the Festival of Colours – Yaoshang or Doljatra or simply – Holi.

Holi is one of the most popular festivals of Hindus in India, Nepal and other Hindu regions. The people of Manipur also celebrate Holi but in a somewhat different way.

Here, Holi is merged with the festival of Yaoshang. Just as Holi sets off with Holika Dahan or the Holi bonfire in other parts of India, Yaoshang in Manipur also kicks off with Yaoshang Mei Thaba or the burning of thatched huts.

On the same day, children go from house to house to collect rice and vegetables for a small feast they organize for themselves.
From the next morning onward, young children visit relatives and neighbours for nakadeng – collecting money and gifts. Some block roads to collect money from passers-by. This is called Sel-Mumbai.

During Yaoshang, groups of Manipuri Vaishnavite elders perform Holi Pala at various temples and homes. On the sixth day, there is a celebration of Halangkar in the Bijoy Govinda Compound.
Halangkar is a unique festival in itself. It is closely related to the Lai-Keithel Kaba tradition of ancient times which was celebrated to promote prosperity and to welcome the New Year.

In 1779 AD, the then king of Manipur, Rajarshi Bhagya Chandra and his uncle Mantri Punshiba Ananta sai Nongpok Leiri khomba re-established the festival at Bijoy Govinda, as Halangkar, combining elements of old Meitei religious tradition and the Radha-Krishna Holi Leela of Hinduism.

On this day, Lord Vishnu set off in a grand procession from Shri Shri Govindajee Temple to Shree Shree Bijoy Govinda Temple on horseback, accompanied by several Holi Dals. Ministers and other important officials carrying chong-shek-pin and garot walk alongside. The Lord is received with a group sankirtan program… singing, drumming and flags.

The Holi Pala of men and women who have been in the service of Shree Shree Govindajee now all assemble at Shree Shree Bijoy Govinda Temple. Shri Govinda Sana Pala assumes the role of the people of Nandagram and Bijoy Govinda’s Brajamai Pala plays the role of Shrimati Radhika’s attendants. They play holi and throw colours at one another.

The Halangkar of Shri Bijoy Govinda is not simply a religious festival – it celebrates peace and tranquillity that arises out of the nirupan of Shri Bijoy Govinda.

One also gets to witness Thabal Chongba dances held at different localities around the valley, at night. Boys and girls get a chance to dance together openly, to the rhythmic beats of indigenous drums and folk songs.

Meitei ‘Yaoshang’ is believed to have been derived from the ‘Ougri Hangen Chongba’ of ancient times. When the Creator of the Meiteis, ‘Atiya Guru Shidaba’ asked his two sons, Sanamahi and Pakhangba to complete the procession of ‘Nongkhong Koiba’ for succession to the throne. The elder son ‘Sanamahi’ started the journey. The younger son ‘Nongda Lairen Pakhangba’ being a small boy was apprehensive about his being able to complete the journey. So, with the advice of his mother ‘Pakhangba’, he went round the royal throne of the King and completed the ‘Nongkhong Koiba’.

When Sanamahi chased Pakhangba to beat him, the women of the royal palace defended the latter by joining hands and singing a particular song. It is believed that ‘Thabal chongba’ and ‘Sel Munbi’ which are part of contemporary Yaoshang had their origin in ‘Nongkhong Koiba’.

Yaoshang Sports set off with enthusiastic athletes lighting torches from the sacred flame at Kangla Fort. The lit torches are then taken to respective sports venues and flags hoisted.

Badminton, marathons, boxing and soccer and entertainment games like musical chairs, balloon bursting and fancy dress competitions are all played at Yaoshang.

Yaoshang is indeed a fun filled festival that all Manipuris look forward to throughout the year.

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