The district is mainly inhabitated by
the Meiteis, the majority of whom have professed Hinduism about 500 years ago
and the important fair and festivals observed in the district are a mixture
of Hindu culture and the age--old traditions and local beliefs. the biggest
festival is the Dol Jatra ( Yaosang in local Manipur langauge ). It is observed
in the month of March beginning with the full moon day of Phalguna ( Lamda )
for the next five full days. It is a festival of colours and all people, young
and old of both sexes, participate in it. During the day time, girls and small
children come out in groups and beg money. Boys joined them in fun and merry
making. During the night , boys and girls dance together to the accompaniment
of music and drums.
Rath Yatra ( Kang ) is another important festival and it is performed in the
month of Jyaistha ( Engen ) for seven days starting from the second of that
month. On the first and the seventh day raths carrying idols of Jaganath, Balabadra
and Subedra are drawn and flowers and bhogs are offered to them. During the
night Choideb Palas are organised and songs are sung in praise of the almighty.
Other festivals of no less importance are Janma Ashtami, Durga Puja, Ningol
Chakouba ( Bhugni Bhuajn ) and Manipuri new year day. Ningol Chakouba is a festival
peculiar to the Manipuries. On this day all women, married and unmarried, are
invited and fed by their relatives and gifts presented to them after the feast.
In between these festivals there are Ras and Lai Haroaba dance. Asvina, Kartika
and Vaisakha whereas Lai Haraoba is a festival performed in the old traditional
Manipuri style to appease the Umang Lais ( forest gods ).
Muslims constitute the next biggest constituent of the population. Their main
festivals are Idul Fitr, Idul Zuha ( Bakrid ), Maharram and Milad-Un-Nabi. On
Id days visitors are invited and fed and presentations given to them. Friends
and relatives visit each other's houses and greetings are exchanged. Among the
tribal mention may be made of the Gang-Ngai festival of the Kabui's, the Kut
festival of the Kuki/Thados and the Luita of the Tangkhuls. Christmas is the
biggest festival amongst the Christians.
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