Imphal, September 19, 2009: The Mera Chourel Houba festival related with worship of almighty, the creature of living world begins today.

To mark the beginning of the festival, titular king performed a ritual at the San Konung Uttar Shanglen (Palace).

The Lainingthou Sanamahi Tohugal Kanglup and Sanamahi Temple Board also performed another ritual at the Sanamahi Laishang.

Expressing the notion behind the Mera Chourel Houba, Maichou of the Sana Konung, Maisnam Apabi said in the 500 BC (Before Christ) during reign of Sandreng Khomba, flood submerged the entire valley area and people took asylum in the high up hills.

After the flood water receded with the approached of Meetei Lunar month Langbal, people return to the valley with the king.

Some stayed in the hills.

Since then people started settling in both hills and valley.

To remember the day which king Sundreng Khomba to start ruling above the people on Langbal Nongma Panba, people started worshiping the day as Mera Chaorel Houba.

Since the festival continue to celebrate in Manipur.

Prayer to almighty for wealthy, healthy and peaceful is the main future of the celebration of the festival, he said.

The Lainingthou Sanamahi Tohugal Kanglup and Sanamahi Temple Board also jointly performed the ritual with a traditional rally from Sanamahi Laishang to Kangla forth and prayer to the temple.

The occasion was attended by the functionaries of the Sana Konung, Govindaji Temple board, Umang Lai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL), Umanglai Haroaba Kanglon Ngaksenba Lup, Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts and Cultural Society, Lainingthou Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup, Universal Freindship Organisation (UFO) and others.

The procession of the people kicked off from Sanamahi temple at 1st MR and marched upto Nungjreng Ekom of Kangla where Eru-Eseng rituals were performed.

During the procession, portraits of Moirang Lalhaba, Laininghal Naoriya Phullo, Oinam Chaoba and Heishnam Kuar who efforted to save the Sanamahi religion and former chief minister, Yangmaso Sheiza who constituted the Sanamahi Board were carried in the procession.

Three hundred red colour flags to mark 300 years of revival of the indigenous religion were also carried by the maiba maibi, pena players, Hueiyen Lallong, Lainingloi.

Regarding the celebration of the festival, Amaiba Sagolsem Rajmohon said they are seeking the blessing of the almighty to end the prevailing chaotic situation of the atate and peace is prevalent in the state.

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