- IMPHAL — A
five-day state level Shirui Lily Festival 2025 came to a close in a glittering
ceremony at Bakshi ground in Manipur’s Ukhrul district headquarters, 84 km
northeast of Imphal on Saturday evening.
- The closing ceremony of the festival showcased a vibrant
display of the state's rich culture, traditional heritage and musical talents.
Attendees were treated to a special song by Pam's Kindergarten, along with
worship songs presented by the Jesus Heart Team and a captivating choreography
performance by Zaishin Dance Studio.
- The most awaited Bombay Viking along with two local bands
namely Feathers Head and Not Funny enthralled the music lovers of Ukhrul on the
closing night of the festival, marking the closure of the popular tourism and
cultural festival.
Also read: Shirui Lily Festival ends with call for sustainable tourism
- The Shirui Lily beauty contest held on the theme ‘Beauty for
humanity’ at the picturesque heritage ground in Shirui village was a major
feature of the five-day festival wherein Esme SS of Hunphun village in Ukhrul
district was crowned the beauty queen, while the 1st runner-up and 2nd
runner-up titles went to Disti Athokpam from Imphal and Esther Somungla of
Chatric village in Kamjong district respectively.
- Esme's multifaceted talents, making her a notable figure in
contemporary fashion, made her claim the crown. She is currently pursuing BA
(English Honours).
- The winner went richer with a cash prize of INR 3 lakh along
with a gift hamper but INR 1 lakh has been reserved for her participation in
other bigger events. The 1st and 2nd runner-up of the beauty pageant walked
away with INR 1 lakh and INR 75,000 respectively along with gift hampers.
- The sub-titles winners included Esther Somungla Jamang for
Miss Popularity, Themthem A Shimray for Miss Talented, Cecilia Zimik for Miss
Perfect Smile, -Esme SS for Miss Perfect Body, Sumi Ningshen for Miss Pheithei
Pangthei, Shonchui Kazingmei for Miss Humility and Laikhuram Zeneva for Miss
Graceful Walk. They were awarded cash prizes of INR 20,000 each.
- The Shirui Lily Festival is an annual state-level festival
organised by Manipur Tourism with an objective to create awareness about the
endangered Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), the state flower, and promote
sustainable tourism in the region.
- This year’s festival was the first state-level festival held
in the state since violence erupted in May 2023.
