Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 30 2009:
As has been celebrated annually, the age-old traditional festival of brotherhood between the people of valley and hills of Manipur known as Mera Hou Chongba will be celebrated on October 4 this year too.
A large number people from different parts of the districts of Manipur including the hill districts will be converging in Imphal to take part in the celebration of the festival.
Therefore, please do not call band/general strike or blockade anywhere in the state from October 2 to 5, president of Mera Hou Chongba Thousil Lup, Sana Konung, Lanchan Chenglei fervently appealed to the people.
Talking to media persons at Utra Shanglen today, Lanchan Chenglei narrated that Mera Hou Chongba is an important ritual to be conducted by the king of the land once a year.
The king is the host of Mera Hou Chongba.
There is no meaning in organising Mera Hou Chongba programme without the king, he said.
The president further said that the programmes of Mera Hou Chongba include prayer rituals for prevalence of peace and prosperity in the land.
He said, people from the hills and the valley will exchange gifts, partake meals together and join cultural and entertainment programmes.
Moreover, the participants will narrate and share their stories of weals and woes.
Last year, the festival was held for five days consecutively.
Earlier, plans were afoot to organise the festival in a grand manner more than previous years.
However, due to the troubled times the state is passing through currently, king Leishemba Sanajaoba has advised the organising committee to hold the functions only on October 4, which is the full moon day of Mera month in the Manipuri calendar, Lanchan Chenglei said.
Entertainment programmes will be cancelled, and all related devotional rituals will be held, he said.
Convenor of the Lup, Maibam Dorel told the media persons that some people were spreading rumours that a sanakonung.com has been opened.
In fact, there is no such website or e-mail ID of the palace, he said and appealed to all concerned not to spread incorrect matters relating to the palace.