State to host Hou Chongba
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 02 2017: For the first time in the history of Manipur after monarchy gave way to democracy, the State Government would host the Mera Hou Chongba festival at the royal palace and Kangla on October 5 .

Speaking to media persons in front of Kangla Uttra this afternoon, Art and Culture Minister L Jayantakumar said that a single grand State level Mera Hou Chongba festival would be organised by the State Government this year at the initiative of Chief Minister N Biren unlike in the past when the festival was organised by several organisations at different venues .

The underlying theme of the unique Mera Hou Chongba festival which the people of both the hills and valley of Manipur have been celebrating together since time immemorial is strengthening the hill-valley ties, Jayantakumar said .

So far, 50 village chiefs (Khullakpas) of different communities have responded that they would participate in the Mera Hou Chongba festival .

Apart from the village chiefs, hundreds of hill dwellers would come down and join the festival .

The festival would be opened at 8 am with customary rituals.

The main function would be held in the afternoon in the presence of titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba and Chief Minister N Biren where hill people and plain people would exchange gifts in celebration of their age old fraternal relationship, he said.

One member of the State Level Mera Hou Chongba Committee said that Mera Hou Chongba festival is the oldest traditional festival of Manipur which dates back to the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (33 AD) .

The festival was interrupted during the Seven Years Devastation and 11 more years due to other reasons.

Except of these short interruptions, Manipur has been celebrating Mera Hou Chongba festival century after century without interruption.

This year's Mera Hou Chongba festival would be the 1901st edition, he said .

Art and Culture Commissioner M Lakshmikumar and other members of the Mera Hou Chongba Committee were also present at the press meet.

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