Unity of indigenous folks call marks Mera Chaorel Houba
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 03 2024: Celebrating Mera Chaorel Houba, followers of the Sanamahi faith took out a religious procession in Imphal today.

Rajya Sabha MP and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba took part in the rituals.

The religious procession, participated by hundreds of followers of the faith, started from the premises of the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board at Haying Khongbal Uphong Yumpham and proceeded towards Kangla and Nungjeng Ekon, where rituals were performed.

Members of communities including Maring, Chothe, Kabui and several others participated in the procession.

The procession later concluded at the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board.

Unity of indigenous folks call marks Mera Chaorel Houba

During the rituals, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba said Mera Chaorel Houba is celebrated on Nongma Paanba (the first day) of Meitei lunar month Mera.

Mera Chaorel Houba celebrates Lainingthou Sanamahi, Ima Leimarel Shidabi, Ima Panthoibi, Nongpok Ningthou and other deities.

It is a significant day on which members of all indigenous communities seek blessings from the deities for prosperity, said Leishemba Sanajaoba.

The people of Manipur at present are facing immense hardships due to the ongoing crisis.

It is time for members of all communities to come together and make individual and collective contributions towards peaceful coexistence, he said.

"There are unwanted incidents happening in the State.

We ourselves should work towards stopping all unwanted incidents from happening," he said.

The two youths who were abducted by the Kuki militants have been released today.

If they weren't released and harmed, then it would have been very disturbing and unfortunate, he said.

Normalcy has not returned, people should still exercise caution, the MP added.

Leishemba further stressed that there should be collective efforts to bring about normalcy and peace.

"Instead of blaming everything on the Government and elected Members, we [people] must come together and discuss what can be done to bring peace," Leishemba said.

He wished for the Mera Chaorel Houba to bring calm and gradually bring about conditions for coexistence and lasting peace to Manipur.

"The month of Mera is dear.

It is when people of both the valley and the hills come together, share and help one another.

It is when they share and eat together and protect each other," he said.

Leishemba prayed to the deities to bring peace and prosperity to Manipur.

Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board vice president Lamjingba, member secretary Maisnam Shivadutta Luwang and religious leaders took part in the celebration.

Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board member secretary Maisnam Shivadutta Luwang said the procession was carried out encouraging unity and as a show of strength for the indigenous communities.