Boat race festival 'Heikru Hidongba' held
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 06 2022:
Manipuri traditional boat race festival, locally known as 'Heikru Hidongba' was held on Tuesday at the Thangapat (moat) of Sagol band Bijoy Govinda, here.
Governor La Ganesan opened the 242nd edition of the socio-religious festival performed every year on the 11th day of Meetei calendar month of Langban.
Titular king and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba and Patsoi MLA Sapam Kunjakeshore (Keba) also attended the event.
Regarding the event, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that 'Heikru Hidongba' is a more than 1000 years old traditional boat racing festival and it was first introduced by king Irengba in 985 AD and continued without interruption till the time of king Moramba.
After a gap of around 200/300 years, king Bhagyachandra reintroduced the festival in coordination with his uncle Nongpok Leikhomba at Thangapat (moat) of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda and continued till date at the same venue without any break.
He said that the main objective of conducting 'Heikru Hidongba' ceremony is to bring peace and prosperity and there is a tradition of prohibiting consumption of gooseberry (Heikru) before 'Heikru Hidongba'.
Later, Governor La Ganesan presented trophy of the boat race to both the winning teams.