With the ritual burning of ‘Yaoshang’, structure made of straw and bamboo, the Yaoshang festival in Manipur kicked off in Imphal on Monday.
The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.
The festival usually begins on full Moon day of the Meitei Lunar month of Lamta (February-March) and is celebrated for five days.
Whether young or old, everyone takes part in the festival and solemnized it with their traditional songs and dance performances.
On the first day of Yaoshang, for the festival, children collect the money from the neighbouring houses.
This festival has similarities with the Holi, the festival of colours.
On the first day on Monday, the members of local clubs here thronged the historic Kangla Fort to collect the sacred fire for their torch rallies for holding annual sports meet at their respective localities as part of celebrating the festival.
Manipur governor Najma Heptulla, chief minister N Biren Singh and several other leaders have conveyed greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Yaoshang festival.