Over 1000 expected to attend Hou Chongba
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 07 2022:
Art and Culture director L Keshworjit said that the department would be celebrating the state level Mera Hou Chongba festival with the participation by over 1000 people from different parts of the state including the hills.
Addressing a press meet at the department s conference hall, Palace Compound, here, on Friday, Keshworjit said that Mera Hou Chongba is an ancient festival of Manipur, which strengthens fraternal bond among the ethnic communities.
The government under the leadership of chief minister N Biren has been organising the celebration since 2017 by forming state level organising committee and earmarking budgetary allocation every year.
The festival is being organised after a gap of a couple of years due to Covid-19 pandemic, he said and added that upcoming event will be the third state level celebration to be organised by the government.
He said that the department is expecting participation of around 30 village chiefs this year and 22 of them have confirmed their participation.
DCs of all the districts have been instructed to bring 10-member teams of each community in their respective districts to attend the festival in Imphal and the department is expecting over 1000 participants.
Accommodation and lunches have been arranged at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, the director said.
About the programme, Keshworjit informed that titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba will lead a procession from the royal palace to Kangla at 9 am followed by Kangla Men Tongba and Yenkhong Tamba rituals.
The main event at Kangla will be also be attended by Sanajaoba as chief guest and participated by ministers, MLAs and senior officials of different departments.
Meanwhile, Sana Konung Mera Hou Chongba Thousil Lup convenor Mutum Maniton has appealed to the people of all communities in the state to participate in the festival irrespective of getting the invitation or not.