In the northeastern state of Manipur,, a festival is celebrated with exuberance and fervor by the Manipuri community known as Yaoshang. Yaoshang, also called 'Holi of Manipur,' is a 5 days vibrant celebration marking the onset of spring. It is a time when communities come together to revel in colors, music, and traditional rituals, creating an atmosphere of joy and community bonding. The festival starts on the full moon day of the month of February or March.
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Yaosang Festival Details:
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Topic
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Information
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Date
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25th & 26th March, 2024
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Festival
Name
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Yaoshang |
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Meaning
of Yaoshang
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The
beginning of spring.
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Significance
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Boosting
the morale and strengthening the bond of Naga solidarity.
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Observance |
Starting
on the full moon day of the month of Lamda
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Duration
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5
Days
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Rituals/Traditions
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Worshipers
singing hymns and kirtans and making offerings to the image of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder
of Gauda Vaishnavism in a thatched hut.
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Regions
Celebrate
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Manipur
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Spiritual
Importance
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A
commemoration of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's birth.
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Moon
Phase
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Full
Moon |
Yaoshang Festival Celebration
The festival is generally celebrated at the same time as holi. But unlike Holi, the celebrations go far beyond just colors. The festival is celebrated with singing, dancing and many other traditional performances. Yaoshang spans five days, each marked by unique rituals and festivities.
- The five-day-long celebration begins with the burning of ‘yaoshang’ (a small thatch hut). An image of Chaitanya Mahprabhu,founder of Gauda Vaishnavism is placed in the hut. Worshipers singing hymns and kirtans and making offerings to the image of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.. At dusk they removed the image of Mahaprabhu and the hut was set on fire. The burnt embers of the hut are considered very auspicious. The festival is also observed as the birthday of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
- The main attraction of the beauty of Yaoshang is the traditional Thabal Chongba dance. The word ‘Thabal Chongba’ stands for ‘Moonlight Dance’, a traditional Manipuri dance where young men and women hold hands and dance in circles under the moonlight. This dance symbolizes the spirit of togetherness and joy that defines Yaoshang.
- Married women also organize their Thabal Chongba event during Yaoshang. This is called ‘MouTabal’.
- Various folk songs are also sung by the locals to which the beats of Dholkar (a drum) give the perfect compliment.
- Children visit nearby homes showering blessings of success and long and healthy life and they receive little monetary gifts as a donation from the households in return. This part of the celebration is called “nakatheng”. With the little donation they get, they buy themselves sweets or toffees or share among themselves with much joy and excitement.
- Yaoshang is the exuberant use of colors.The second day of Yaoshang is also better known as the ‘ Pichkarinumit’ (Pichkari day). On this day, revelers take to the streets armed with colored powders and water-filled balloons, drenching each other in vibrant hues. This joy and excitement of playing with colors do not dip till the fifth or the last day of the festival.
- Other customs that we observe in the region are taking out a procession to a local temple, playing with colors and offering prayers to the deity.
- 'Pena' performance is another integral part of Yaoshang. Pena is a traditional string instrument of Manipur, and during the festival, skilled artists mesmerize audiences with soulful melodies and rhythmic beats, adding to the festive fervor.
- Food also plays a crucial role in Yaoshang celebrations. Traditional delicacies like 'Singju' (a spicy salad), 'Eromba' (a mashed vegetable dish), and 'Chak-hao kheer' (black rice pudding) are savored with gusto, enhancing the culinary experience of the festival.
Yaoshang Festival Significance
Colors are one of the significant aspects of the festival; people apply colors on each other and children splash water among themselves with water guns . The significant part of Yaoshang, unlike the Holi, is that it is also a festival of sports. Most of the local communities and clubs organize sports on their local grounds and even on roadsides during the five days of Yaoshang. The primary idea behind Yaoshang sports is to steer the energetic youth away from veering towards drugs and alcohol and encourage them towards sports and games. Mukna (wrestling) is an integral part of Yaoshang celebrations. Children and youths are given the opportunity to demonstrate their talents in various fields of sports, public appearance, public speaking etc.
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In addition to its cultural and religious aspects, the festival brings people together, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of community spirit. The Yaoshang festival is not just a cultural event but a manifestation of the unity, diversity, and spiritual values of the people of Manipur. It serves as a time for reflection, renewal, and building connections, making it a cherished and integral part of Manipuri identity.