Our society has got festivals in plenty. One of the major festivals in a calendar year is the celebration of the coming new year in the Meitei month of Sajibu.

Sajibu Cheiraoba is an annual religious celebration in which certain rites and rituals are observed with a traditional devotion. The celebration marks the parting of the old year while welcoming the new year.

The name 'Cheiraoba' is a combination of two words which have two different meanings - 'Chahi' (year) and 'laoba' (declaration). It also means 'Chei (stick) and 'laoba' (declaration).

So, overall 'Cheirao-ba' means the announcement of the coming year.

During the olden days, the announcement was made by a man authorised by the king. The man went through all the major streets of the city by holding a long bamboo pole with bells fixed on its top and made announcement of the coming New Year.

Another name given to Cheiraoba, though not used in general, is 'Kurak Langtaiba'. It means the joining of the two ends, that is joining of the end of the passing year with the beginning of the new year.

So to the Manipuris or more particularly to the Meiteis the 'Cheiraoba' festival has close connection with their lives and activities.

The Meiteis believe that the 'Sidaba Mapu' (the Almighty) holds the rein of their fortunes and make plan according to His wishes.

In a man's life, when one cycle of year has passed with peace and prosperity, it is taken that the almighty has favoured him one more year and it is his duty in return to pray to God for his life and security for the coming year also.

Thus Meiteis, both Hindu and Sanamahi cult give so much importance to this religious festival 'Cheiraoba' at the joining of the two years, the passing and the coming with prayer and worship of the deities to guard them against death and diseases and to bring peace and prosperity for the coming new year.

The Meiteis believe that there is an assembly of deities (Lai Khundin-naba) on every Saturday in the month of Lamta (March), the last month of the year.

The first Saturday is of supreme importance and known as Lamta Thangja Ahanba (The first Saturday). On this day, the Gods assemble at 'Heibokching' - a small hill to the south of Imphal.

In this assembly of Gods, sticks representing the number of heads and souls of the man living on earth are counted. The number of sticks representing those persons who would die in the coming year is counted and are kept separated.

This is known as 'Shing Shatpa' (Removal of sticks) means counting of deaths for the coming year. So on this day, in every Meiteis' household, prayer and offerings are made to Gods to please them and to spare the lives of the family members.

After this offerings and prayers the Meiteis believe that their lives are spared and granted by the Almighty alteast for another year and then they make preparations to welcome the coming New Year.

Days and weeks ahead of 'Cheiraoba' houses are made clean. Old cloths and kitchen utensils are made clean or replaced by new ones.

On the day special worship of Sanamahi and Leimarel is done. On this day also a rite is performed at the gate of every household by the elder member for long life and prosperity of the members of the family.

Offerings such as rice, and other eatables are made to the deities namely Lamaba Tumaba (Lord of my land), 'Kum Sana Kumliklai' (the golden year) and Iram Shenba Tushemba (guardian of my land).

Since Cheiraoba is a ritual and festival connected with prayer to the almighty for peace and prosperity of the coming year, it also got another ritual called 'Saroi Khangba' (propitiation of the evil spirits).

Womenfolk warding off evil deities during Saroi Khangba

• See Gallery for Cheiraoba & Emoinu