Mera Hou Chongba
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 05 2014 :
Uttra Shanglen, Sana Konung has informed that they would omit Man Tongba and Laithou rituals from this year's Mera Hou Chongba celebration.
Other associated rituals would, however, be observed as earlier, the Laiphamlakpa, a key functionary of the Shanglen, informed in a press meet held at Utra Shanglen today.
'Mera Hou Chongba' is observed on the 15th day of Mera month (as per the Meitei calendar) with religious and traditional observations at Kangla and Sana Konung every year.
The ritual Man Tongba is carried out in the morning of the Hou Chongba ceremony at Kangla every year.
The same ritual would however be omitted from this year's observation owing to a lunar eclipse, that is to take place on the 15th day of Mera, and the resultant forbiddance to cross Sanjengthong bridge that day, the Shanglen functionary informed.
Other rituals would however be carried out as before.
The priest and priestess of the Shanglen would also observe a special ritual to atone for the omission of these two rituals, he added.
Speaking at the occasion, Salam Birendra said, owing to the forbiddance to cross Sanjenthong, the united procession of the Hill and Valley people would also be excluded from this year's observation.
The Shanglen would however, with little alterations, celebrate this year's Mera Hou Chongba on the evening of October 8 at Sana Konung to reclaim the lost integrity between the Hill and Valley people, Birendra added.