Procession of Shree Shree Jagabondhu Rath Yatra
Waikhom Manimohan Singh *
Konung Kang Chingba festival at Imphal on June 25, 2017 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam
In Manipur, the worship of Shri Jaganath idol dates back to about 275 years that is between 1697-1709 during the reign of Meidingu Tubi Chareirongba, a Brahmin from Cuttack Nagar brought an idol of Shri Jaganath to Manipur.
As the person who brought the statue, the surname "Laipubam" was given to him.
Next, a Brahmin from Mathura Nandagram also brought another idol of Shri Jaganath and the surname "Mathurabasinayum" was conferred upon him.
The idol of Shri Jaganath, Balvadhra, Suvadhra, currently adorning the royal palace was carved out of a Mango tree from Heibok Ching, Langthabal Canchipur (Manipur University Campus).
During the reign of Maharaj Ghambir Singh, 1825-1834, which was chastened by a Brahmin from Jaganath Kshetra in 1832, the observance of Kang Chingba started.
In that year, on Ingagininipanba, on a Saturday, a Rath with 12 wheels was drawn. On this day, Ningthoujam Abungton, an army man, was run over by Kang Chingba and died.
During the festival of Rath Yatra, obeisance is paid to Shri Jagabandhu through Manipuri Khubak-eeshei. The song relates the journey of ShriKrishna from Gokul to Mathura, on Akrurnadolai, and the related sadness of Radha at this.
This song is sung by both men and women.
Also, the recital of "Dasavatar" is compulsory.
Seeing the popularity of RathYatra festival, starting from Friday, June 28, 1968, a live commentary of Govindajee Rath Yatra is telecast on AIR Imphal, every year on Rath Yatra.
The Kang Chingba of this year, 2017 is the first time ever that the four big names of the state took part in the procession and made it famous, namely State's Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh, Works Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, MAHUD minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba.
I pray that the good Lord Jagabondhu bless them in their endeavours and their efforts in keeping the state in peace and tranquillity.
I also hope and believe that they would take part in the future Kang Chingba processions.
Let their reign be prosperous and leave a big space in the history of Manipur.
"The best place to go is God's place. The voice of the people is the voice of God, people is the water and the fishes are the army.
Always take care, however small the task at hand may be, a small hole can sink a ship. There can be no peace where there is war."
* Waikhom Manimohan Singh wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on July 21 , 2017.
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