Cheiraoba, also known as Sajibu Nongma Panba, is a significant festival celebrated by the Meetei community that follows Vaishnav Hinduism in Manipur. This festival is considered one of the most important festivals of the northeastern state and is celebrated with great pomp and joy.
When is Cheiraoba celebrated?
Cheiraoba is usually celebrated in the month of April and marks the beginning of the lunar new year for the Meiteis residing in Manipur and elsewhere. While the followers of Sanamahism, Meitei’s indigenous religion, celebrate it on the first day of the lunar new year, the followers of Vaishnav Hindus celebrate it on the 13th or 14th of April every year according to the solar Hindu calendar.
Celebrating Cheiraoba
On this day, Meiteis clean their houses and dress up in their traditional attires to mark the occasion. Traditional cuisines such as eromba, pakora, ooti, and many more are prepared and offered to the local deity in addition to flowers and incense sticks in front of the gates. The dishes are also exchanged with neighbors.
Visiting the Nearest Hillocks
After they consume the sumptuous meal, people visit the closest hillocks for merriment in the afternoon. According to traditional beliefs, climbing the hilltop to worship the deity on this new year of the Meiteis will usher in prosperity and help people achieve greater heights in life. This tradition has great significance as it aids in digestion after consuming a lot of food.
Thabal Chongba
At night, Thabal Chongba, the Manipuri folk dance, is organized by the locals across Manipur valley as a joyous event for ushering in the much-awaited Meitei new year. It is a lively dance, which involves rhythmic clapping, and the dance itself is performed in a circle.
Customs on Cheiraoba
On Cheiraoba, women visit their paternal homes with gifts for the family’s male members. This custom is an act of repaying the gifts received by them on the day of Ningol Chakouba, a festival celebrated for the strengthening of the bond between brothers and sisters.
