The year in colour

FestivalsManipur measures the year in drums, boat races and bonfires.

The whole calendar, January to December, so you can land in the middle of one: the lily on Shirui, the Sangai in Keibul Lamjao, Yaoshang colour across the valley.

Festivals mapped: 12
Months covered: 7
Districts: 7
On now: October

A Manipuri classical dancer mid-gesture in orange costume against a black stage.

On now: October

Happening while you plan

October
Kwak Tanba
Held on the tenth day of Durga Puja at Kangla, Kwak Tanba is the old royal ritual of 'chasing the crow': a ceremonial procession in which a crow is released and its flight read as an omen for the coming year. The rite is performed in full traditional court dress and is one of the few surviving public royal ceremonies in Manipur.
Where
Kangla Fort, Imphal
When
Vijayadashami, the tenth day of Durga Puja, in October

January
- January
  Gaan-Ngai
  The greatest festival of the Zeliangrong people, held in December or January over five days to mark the end of the agricultural year. It opens with the ritual kindling of new fire by friction, and runs through the Khangchiu dormitory rites, the hoi shouting, folk songs, feasting and dances performed in full traditional dress. Tamenglong and Noney are the strongest places to see it.
  Where
  Zeliangrong villages in Tamenglong, Noney and Imphal East
  When
  Five days in late December or January, set by the Zeliangrong calendar
February
- February
  Lui-Ngai-Ni
  The seed-sowing festival of the Naga tribes of Manipur, celebrated on 14–15 February and rotated between district headquarters each year. It marks the start of the agricultural season with the ceremonial sowing of the first seed, and brings together the state's Naga communities for dance, folk song and feasting in full traditional dress.
  Where
  Rotating host district: Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel or Kamjong
  When
  14–15 February each year
March
- MarchSignature
  Yaoshang
  Manipur's five-day spring festival, beginning on the full moon of Lamta (February–March) with the burning of a thatched hut called the yaoshang mei thaba. Children go from house to house collecting nakatheng, colours are thrown as at Holi, and (the part that makes Yaoshang distinctive) every locality holds thabal chongba, a moonlight circle dance where young people hold hands and move in a ring to a live band until well past midnight.
  Where
  Statewide, with thabal chongba in every Meitei locality
  When
  Five days from the Lamta full moon, late February to mid-March
April
- AprilSignature
  Lai Haraoba
  The oldest surviving ritual performance in Manipur, literally the 'pleasing of the gods'. Over several nights in a village courtyard, maibi priestesses dance the entire Meitei creation story, from the making of the world through the building of a house and the weaving of cloth, accompanied by the pena fiddle. Different localities hold it at different times through spring and early summer; Moirang's is the most elaborate.
  Where
  Village courtyards across the valley; Moirang, Andro and Kanglatongbi are notable
  When
  April to June, dates set separately by each locality
- AprilSignature
  Sajibu Cheiraoba
  Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba
  The Meitei new year, falling on the first lunar day of Sajibu in March or April. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom, a full meal is cooked and offered to the household deity, and in the afternoon families climb the nearest hill (Cheiraoba Ching Kaba) in the belief that rising higher lifts your fortunes for the year. Nongmaijing, Kaina and Langol fill with families all afternoon.
  Where
  Statewide; hill climbs at Nongmaijing, Langol, Kaina and Cheiraoching
  When
  First lunar day of Sajibu, late March to mid-April
- April
  Khongjom Day
  Observed every 23 April at Kheba hill in Thoubal, marking the last battle of the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, where Major Paona Brajabashi and his men fought to the death. Wreaths are laid at the memorial, the Khongjom Parva ballad is sung, and the state observes a public holiday. It is the most solemn civic occasion in the Manipuri year.
  Where
  Khongjom War Memorial, Kheba Ching, Thoubal
  When
  23 April each year
May
- MaySignature
  Shirui Lily Festival
  A four-day state festival held at Ukhrul each May to mark the blooming of Lilium mackliniae on the Shirui ridge and to build support for protecting it. Tangkhul cultural performances, a flower show, guided treks up the ridge, an adventure sports programme and a market of hill produce and crafts.
  Where
  Ukhrul town and Shirui village
  When
  Four days in the second half of May
June
A quiet month: good weather, fewer crowds.
July
A quiet month: good weather, fewer crowds.
August
A quiet month: good weather, fewer crowds.
September
A quiet month: good weather, fewer crowds.
October
This month
- October
  Kwak Tanba
  Held on the tenth day of Durga Puja at Kangla, Kwak Tanba is the old royal ritual of 'chasing the crow': a ceremonial procession in which a crow is released and its flight read as an omen for the coming year. The rite is performed in full traditional court dress and is one of the few surviving public royal ceremonies in Manipur.
  Where
  Kangla Fort, Imphal
  When
  Vijayadashami, the tenth day of Durga Puja, in October
November
- NovemberSignature
  Manipur Sangai Festival
  The state's flagship tourism festival, running for ten days each November across Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal and satellite venues around the valley. Indigenous sports including Yubi Lakpi and Mukna, Thang-Ta demonstrations, classical Ras Leela and pung cholom, a vast handloom and handicraft bazar, an adventure sports wing and a food court that assembles every community's cooking in one place. It is named for the sangai, the state animal, and is by some distance the easiest week in the year to see everything Manipur does well.
  Where
  Hapta Kangjeibung and satellite venues, Imphal
  When
  21–30 November each year
- NovemberSignature
  Ningol Chakouba
  Ningol Chakkouba
  The most affectionate day in the Meitei calendar: married daughters return to their parents' house for a feast laid on by their brothers, and go home with gifts. Held on the second day of the lunar month of Hiyangei, usually in November, it empties the roads of everything except women travelling home. Households cook for days beforehand, and the meal is the fullest chaak of the year.
  Where
  Every Meitei household across Manipur
  When
  Second lunar day of Hiyangei, usually early to mid-November
- NovemberSignature
  Chavang Kut
  The autumn harvest festival of the Kuki-Zo, Chin and Mizo communities, celebrated on 1 November with dance, drums and the Kut Queen contest. Villages across Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Chandel mark the close of the harvest with traditional dress, communal feasting and the Lom Lam dance; the main state celebration is held in Imphal and Churachandpur.
  Where
  Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Imphal
  When
  1 November each year
- November
  Manipuri Ras Leela
  The classical dance-drama of Krishna and the gopis, performed through the night in temple courtyards on the full moon nights of Kartik, Basanta and Kunja. Dancers wear the potloi, a stiff embroidered cylindrical skirt unique to Manipur, and the movement is unbroken and circular, without a sharp angle in it. The Govindajee temple in Imphal holds the most important performances.
  Where
  Shree Govindajee Temple and temple courtyards across the valley
  When
  Kartik Purnima in November, with further cycles in spring and autumn
December
A quiet month: good weather, fewer crowds.