'Kangla No Entry' upsets devotees, again
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 18 2013 :
For the second time within a fortnight the State Government not allowing religious ceremonies inside the sacred Kangla evoked strong protest from devotees of various ethnic groups.
While on october 5 a religious procession taken out in connection with the Mera Chourel Houba was disrupted after officials prohibited the devotees from exiting through the north gate of Kangla a si-milar situation occured today when devotees were not permitted to take the northern gate to enter Kangla.
In both cases conveyance and subsequent intervention by the Chief Minister averted undesired incident.
As religious leaders, devotees, village heads from both the hill and valley areas and the common public assembled at Palace Compound from around 7 am to participate in the traditional procession from the Royal Palace to Kangla to celebrate Mera Hou chongba festival information trickled in that the devotees enter Kangla from the southern gate.
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As entry for auspicious events through the southern gate is considered inauspicious scholars and religious leaders present insisted that if permission is not allowed to take the northern gate of Kangla the celebration would be meaningless as the sacred Kangla is inseparable for such festival.
As the devotees awaited Government clearance information was reportedly con- veyed to the CM whose instructions seemingly compell- ed officials concerned to allow the devotees march into Kangla at around 10 am from the northern gate and exit from the same direction after completion of traditional offerings inside the sacred location.
The formal opening of the festival was held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound wherein titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba was accorded traditional welcome by representatives of various communities.
saddened by the Kangla-entry restriction imposed by the Government, Leishemba Sanajaoba suggested that State authorities take into account religious sentiment of all the ethnic communities rather than impose its will upon the people.
Voicing strong opposition against frequent intervention by the Government in religious matters, he reminded that various traditional festivals are being celebrated with the message of goodwill and peace.
The titular king also expressed strong resentment against the Government's attempt to take over the Royal Palace and highlighted that respecting decorum of the Royal Palace is very much essential to enable the scholars preserve tradition and cultural heritage of Manipur.
As a part of the Mera Houchongba festival, goods were exchanged between the hill and valley people along with cultural performances and Thabal Chongba.
People in their respective traditional attires attended the festival, organised by Mera Houchongba Thousil Lup, Sana Konung (Royal Palace) .