The various festivals of Manipur are Ningol Chakouba, Yaoshang (Holi), Ramjan ID, Kut, Gan-ngai, Chumpha, Christmas, Cheiraoba, Kang and Heikru Hitongba. Most of these festivals are usually celebrated on the basis of lunar calendar. Almost every festival celebrated in other states is observed here and it makes Manipur a mini metropolis.
Ningol Chakouba A social festival of the Meiteis (the Vaishnavites) where the women (Ningol) are invited (Chakouba) to a feast at their parental house along with their children. It is the festival that binds and revives the family relations between the girls married away and the parents. Nowadays other communities had also started celebrating the festivals. It is held every year during the month of November.
Yaoshang (Holi) A riot of colours and water and the various chanting of the devotees of Lord Krishna is what you will come across during this festival. Another feature of this premiere festival is the Thabal Chongba (Dancing in the Moonlight). The boys from various places will come to the site of the festival and dance with the girls by holding on to their hands and moving in circles. It is celebrated for five days starting from the full moon of Phalguna (February/March).
Christmas Another community comprising of the Kukis and the Nagas in Manipur are all Christians and celebrate Christmas for two days with prayers, reading of gospels, eating, singing of hymns, lectures on Christ, sports etc. It is usually observed on December 24 and 25.
Ramjan ID The Manipuri Muslims observed this festival in the very spirits of joy and festivities as in other Muslim world. During this month the Muslims practice self denial by taking a fast, abstaining from smoke and drink from pre-dawn till sunset. After the second day of shawwal, when the new moon is visible they break fast which is also popularly known as Id-Ul-Fitre. They offer prayers at the mosques, have delicious dishes, exchange greetings and call on the friends and relatives. Ramjan is the ninth month of the Hijri year.
Cheiraoba (New Year of Manipur) The people of Manipur clean and decorate their houses and make a sumptuous variety of dishes to feast upon after offering the food to the deity on this day. After the feast, as a part of the rituals, people climb the nearest hill tops in the belief that it would excel them to greater heights in their worldly life. It is observed during the month of April.
