Mera Chaorel Houba to rejuvenate hills-valley bond
Source: Hueiyen News Service / OC Meira

Imphal, October 12 2015: The Manipuri month of 'Mera' (October) has been an important month in the history of Manipur.

The month will begin from October 14, Wednesday.

"Mera Chaorel Houba" which begins from the first day of every "Mera" month since time immemorial in Manipur is all set to be observed with great significance and festive fervour by all including the titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba.

Sana Konung, Utra Sanglen, Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple inside 1st Bn Manipur Rifles, Ipathoukok, Kangla and many other venues will observe the onset of the autumn-month with festivities to revive the age-old bond between the hills and the valley people.

People believe that every household of Manipur used to offer season's best items to Lord Sanamahi and it came to be known as "Chaorel Houba" .

It is said that the changing of Sanamahi's attire is the primary theme of "Mera Chaorel Houba".

Sanamahi changes clothes twice in a year - on the first day of "Mera" month and the first day of "Sajibu" month (March-April) .

Titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba

On the day, people offer Sanamahi with plenty of food grains and items produced in their villages.

It may be recalled that people of Manipur failed to observe the festival of Mera Chaorel Houba for many years with the advent of Hindusim in the State.

Statues of Sanamahi Laiyingthou and Ema Leimarel Sidabi were rested at the homes of those who actually did not follow them without offering any prayers and rituals.

When the followers of the religion tried to bring the statues of Laiyingthou Sanamahi and Ema Leimarel Sidabi together at 1st MR's Sanamahi Temple, it became an issue and the State Government imposed curfew in 1976.Oinam Chaoba and Heisnam Kumar sacrificed their lives during the mass public movement.

But people won at last and the statue of Laiyingthou was kept inside the Sanamahi Temple, Haying Khongban in 1977.Since then, people of the State began observing the month and the festival again.

Other important festivals which cannot be separated from the State's people have also been observed during the month of Mera.

Mera Men Tongba, Mera Chaorel Houba, Mera Chahou Tha, Mera Hao Chongba, Mera San-Tuba, Mera Kwak Tanba, Mera Ukai Kappa etc can be mentioned here.

Meanwhile, titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba has extended his greetings to all the communities of Manipur on the auspicious occasions to be observed during the Mera month.

The occasions are observed not only for enjoyment or entertainment but also to usher in peace and prosperity (Chahong Ngahongba).

Appealing people from all walks of life to attend the Mera Chaorel Houba festival, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that Mera Hao Chongba will bring peace and unity in the State.

People should remember Thawaijao of Hundung, Ukhrul on this occasion and the tradition of special reservation of the seat of Thawaijao during the festival of Mera Hao Chongba truly signifies the integrity of Manipur, said Sanajaoba.