Raseshori Pala performed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 14 2013 :
To commemorate the installation of idol of Lord Govindaji during the reign of Maharaj Bheigyachandra in 1779, the Govindaji Temple Board organized the Raseshori Pala Sankirtan at the Shri Shri Govindaji Temple complex today.
The commemoration is traditionally done every year on the 12th Day of Meitei lunar month 'Poinu'.
The performance done by the chorister of women belonging to the royal lineage of Karta Bheigyachandra was preceded by a Nipa Pala (Male Sankirtan) performance.
Since the inception of Govindajee Temple Board in 1972, the Raseshori Pala Marup has been regularly performing the women Sankirtan on this very day in front of the Govindajee Idol.
Raseshori Pala is a unique women Sankirtan instituted by Rajkumari Bhimbabati, the daughter of King Bheigyachandra as a devotional service to the Lord Govindaji.
It is a significant and aesthetic component of Manipuri Culture.
It is said that the King instituted the women Sankirtan on the request of his daughter who had posed herself as the image of Goddess Raseshori (Radha) during the installation of Govindaji.
Rasesori Pala Sankirtan is considered as a symbol of women's unique role in the cultural development of Manipur.
Historically, Sankirtan performance by women in rituals had not been allowed earlier until the birth of Raseshori Pala in 1779.Today, it has become an important part of Manipuri performing art.