Nongkhrang Eehanba observed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 07, 2012:
As observed every year, the ritual of Nongkhrang Eehanba was observed today at the Lilong Irong River.
The Lainingthou Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup organised the ritual which was attended by many people.
Talking about the ritual, President of Lainingthou Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup, Oinam Menjor Khuman said that forefathers of Meeteis were forced to take an oath to convert into Hindu by holding a Nongkhrang tree and dipping into the Lilong River at Irong area by the then King Pamheiba and Santidas Goshai after they burnt the Puyas of the Meetei religion, culture, traidition and many philosophical findings in 1729. Before they took the dip, the Kanglei Maichous kept a commitment to revive the original religion after seven generations of the advent of Hinduism, he said.
The ritual of Nongkhrang Eehanba first began in 1974 and was led by the then King of Manipur Pareihanba (Okendrajit) himself.
There is a belief that the ritual of taking the dip again and taking back the oath will bring unity, peace and welfare in Manipur, he added.