Gaan-Ngai: TRCCP, TRCP rejects ZCC decision
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 09 2013:
Reacting to the announcement of Zeliangrong Cultural Council (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) that Gaan-Ngai festival should be celebrated on Jan 24, Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Chabon Phom, Assam, Manipur & Nagaland (TRCCP-AMN), an indigenous religious youth organisation of the community, has asserted that ZCC has randomly declared to celebrate the festival on 24th January, 2013 without any fact and basis.
In a statement, TRCCP-AMN's General Secretary Khangsinlung Daimei claimed that Zeliangrong forefather count days on the basis of lunar Calendar, and this tradition has been handed down till date.
January 24th and 25th being the same day of Gaan Bhu i.e 13th day of Wakching which interpolate due to lunar cycle of the month, the full moon of Gaan Bhu (Wakching) always falls on the 3rd day of Gaan-Ngai and every Zeliangrong village celebrates on the particular day for many years.
In a separate statement by General Secretary of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland (TRCP-AMN), Chaoba Kamson stated that according to lunar calendar 13th day of Wakching falls on 2 days (24th and 25th January, 2013) and the first day is called as Malamass in Sanskrit and Adhikmass in Hindi which means the day is not favourable to execute any good works whereas the second day (25th January, 2013) is an auspicious day for performing any good events such as celebration of festivals.
Appealing to the Zeliangrong people to celebrate Gaan-Ngai on 25th January, 2013 and also to state government not change the date of Gaan-Ngai holiday, Chaoba Kamson informed that to clear over this confusion created by ZCC-AMN, they have discussed with expert astrologers, Kangleipak Calendar Board and consulted with books on Laharis Indian Ephemeris of Planets' Position-2013 to identify the best day to celebrate the festival this year.
Thus, according to calculation and advice the second 13th day of Wakching month (25th January) is an auspicious day and full moon day.
Therefore, 25th January is an acceptable day for the celebration.
On the other hand, ZCC-AMN has countered that after a detailed discussion on deciding the day of celebrating the day, ZCC which was formed during the reign of Maharaj Churachad declared 24th January as the day to celebrate Gaan-Ngai.
According to Zeliangrong forefathers this year, Gaan-Ngai would celebrate on coming January 24, reiterated R Chadra Haomei, Secretary, ZCC-AMN.