Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba or Sanamahi Cheng Hongba or Kang Chingba is the religious festival of Meitei people, associated mainly with the public procession with the grand chariot, housing the ancient Meitei deity Lainingthou Sanamahi. The Imphal city serves as the main location of the festival. It attracts thousands of pilgrims who join the procession. The festival was celebrated 350 years ago, and after a long pause, it was first recelebrated in the year 2018.[1][2][3]
| Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Meitei people |
| Type | religious |
| Celebrations | Rice, vegetables and fruits are offered to the deity Lainingthou Sanamahi |
| Observances | Grand Chariot housing deity Sanamahi is pulled by the devotees |
| Date | ancient period to the 18th century; 2018-present |
| Frequency | Annual |
During the festival, thousands of devotees offer rice, fruits, vegetables, money, along with the traditional rites and rituals to seek blessings from the deity.
Similar festival
editSanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba is purely a festival of Sanamahism. But after Hindunisation of Meitei society, a similar type of festival was created.[4][5][6]
References
edit- ^ "Ancient Manipur ritual held". www.telegraphindia.com.
- ^ "Sanamahi Ahong-Khong Chingba ritual to be organised :: Manipur News | Manipur Daily | Poknapham - Manipuri News!". thepeopleschronicle.in.
- ^ "Sanamahee Ahong Khong Chingba observed after 350 years". June 28, 2018.
- ^ "Kang Chingba". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
- ^ Yojana Magazine. Government of India. August 2020. p. 18.
- ^ "Kang Rath Yatra Manipur | Kang Chingba Festival Manipur". www.tourmyindia.com. Retrieved 2020-09-19.