The beautiful Manipur is not just a promising destination for tourists but it also has a rich cultural past dating back to centuries. Manipur is known to be the birthplace of Raas Lila- a renowned form of classical dance which was created by Rajarshi Bhagyachandra (Meitei: Ching –Thang Khomba) . With a rich cultural heritage, Manipur has a lot of Colourful festivals which highlights the joyous spirit and togetherness of the people of Manipur.
Among all those multiple festivals , one of them is Ningol Chakouba or Chakouba or Hiyangei Nini Paanba which is celebrated in Manipur. This festival is known to be celebrated originally by the Meitei and Pangal communities in the second Lunar day of Hiyangei (October–November) month of Manipuri Calendar . Ningol Chakouba is considerd as one of the most famous and important festivals of Manipur. Although it marks the celebration of Meiteis or the Vaishnavites but now this event is also observed by other communities in Manipur as well.
This festival observes the celebration with the theme of strengthening the bond of love between married women (Ningol) with their paternal families.
It is basically a festival witnessing family reunions. On this day, married woman are invited to their parent’s house. Then they are greeted with immense love and warmth and then they join their family for a feast (Chakouba). The family spends the entire day with the married women being showered with love care attention and all sorts of pampering . After the feast ends the married women are given blessings and gifts by brothers or father and uncle , precisely by any male member of the family .
Manipur Chief Minister , N . Biren Singh took to his Twitter handle to wish on this occasion of Ningol Chakouba .
“Greetings to everyone on this auspicious occasion of Ningol Chakouba. May this festival strengthens the bond shared by brothers & sisters and daughters & parents. This festival is one of the biggest festivals of Manipur.”
Greetings to everyone on this auspicious occasion of Ningol Chakouba. May this festival strengthens the bond shared by brothers & sisters and daughters & parents.
This festival is one of the biggest festivals of Manipur. pic.twitter.com/8cJf61OmiQ
— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) October 27, 2022
