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Cheiraoba dish offered at one of the gates in Manipur on the occasion of Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba on Saturday. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, April 6 (EMN): Manipur on Saturday celebrated the New Year called “Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba,” with sumptuous feasts and traditional rituals.
Cheiraoba, the new year of Manipuris marks the beginning of a new cycle of life on the Meitei calendar, was widely celebrated in the state.
Festive dishes are prepared from vegetables to be offered to deities for a grand feast for families. After the preparation, the cooked food is offered by the elders of the house to three deities for the protection of the family. Married women give gifts to their parents and brothers on the occasion. The youths seek the blessings of the elders of the family.
Offering prayers, traditional family feasting climbing hillocks marked the occasion.
Meanwhile, President Ram Nath Kovind has conveyed warm wishes and greetings to the citizens of the country on the auspicious occasion of Sajibu Cheiraoba.
“The festival marks the onset of New Year and reflect values of prosperity and well being, the President prayed for the festival to strengthen the bonds of love and affection as well as the spirit of fraternity among people across the Nation,” the president said.
Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla also conveyed warm wishes to the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Sajibu Nongma Panba (Cheiraoba). Chief Minister N Biren Singh and others have also greeted the people of the State on the occasion.
Manipur assembly speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh greeted the people on the occasion of Cheiraoba.