Manipur celebrates Heikru Hidongba festival

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Sep. 9 (EMN):  Manipur on Monday celebrated the 241st  Heikru Hidongba festival, a festival of cultural and religious significance where prayers and rituals are performed for prosperity and sanctity.

The festival which was introduced in 1779, is organised every year on the 11th day of the Manipuri month ‘Langban’ or September to bring prosperity to the community.

Thousands of people thronged the Bijoygobinda Moat at Sagolband in Imphal west district this afternoon to witness a boat race organised as part of the traditional Heikru Hidongba festival.

Religious rituals were performed to predict the fortune of the state in the days to come, besides paying obeisance to God for bountiful blessings in the year gone by.

As a religious ritual, the race begins after installing the idol of Lord Vishnu. Later, Heikru or gooseberry is offered to the Lord. Many tourists also watched this year’s boat race at Sagolband moat (Thangapat).

Nongthombam Ongbi Hiyainu, wife of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and MLAs RK Imo and O Lukhoi also attended the festival.