MANIPUR

CAPITAL-IMPHAL

LIST OF CHEIF MINISTERS OF MANIPUR

#	NAME	TOOK OFFICE	LEFT OFFICE	PARTY
01	Mairembam Koireng Singh	01 July 1963	11 January 1967	Indian National Congress
02	President's Rule	12 January 1967	19 March 1967
03	Mairembam Koireng Singh	20 March 1967	04 October 1967	Indian National Congress
04	Longjam Thambou Singh	13 October 1967	24 October 1967	Manipur United Front
05	President's Rule	25 October 1967	18 February 1968
06	Mairembam Koireng Singh	19 February 1968	16 October 1969	Indian National Congress
07	President's Rule	17 October 1969	22 March 1972
08	Mohammed Alimuddin	23 March 1972	27 March 1973	Indian National Congress
09	President's Rule	28 March 1973	03 March 1974
10	Mohammed Alimuddin	04 March 1974	09 July 1974	Manipur People's Party
11	Yangmasho Shaiza	10 July 1974	05 December 1974	Manipur Hills Union
12	Raj Kumar Dorendra Singh	06 December 1974	15 May 1977	Indian National Congress
13	President's Rule	16 May 1977	28 June 1977
14	Yangmasho Shaiza	29 June 1977	13 November 1979	Janata Party
15	President's Rule	14 November 1979	14 January 1980
16	Raj Kumar Dorendra Singh	14 January 1980	26 November 1980	Indian National Congress
17	Rishang Keishing	27 November 1980	27 February 1981	Indian National Congress
18	President's Rule	28 February 1981	18 June 1981
19	Rishang Keishing	19 June 1981	03 March 1988	Indian National Congress-Indira
20	Raj Kumar Jaichandra Singh	04 March 1988	22 February 1990	Indian National Congress
21	Raj Kumar Ranbir Singh	23 February 1990	06 January 1992
22	President's Rule	07 January 1992	07 April 1992
23	Raj Kumar Dorendra Singh	08 April 1992	10 April 1993	Indian National Congress
24	President's Rule	31 December 1993	13 December 1994
25	Rishang Keishing	14 December 1994	15 December 1997	Indian National Congress
26	Wahengbam Nipamcha Singh	16 December 1997	14 February 2001
27	Radhabinod Koijam	15 February 2001	01 June 2001	Samata Party
28	President's Rule	02 June 2001	06 March 2002
29	Okram Ibobi Singh	07 March 2002	01 March 2007	Indian National Congress
30	Okram Ibobi Singh	02 March 2007	Present	Indian National Congress

ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS OF MANIPUR

Lok Sabha members of Manipur

#	NAME	PARTY	Constituency
01	Meinya, Dr. Thokchom	INC	Inner Manipur
02	Charenamei, Shri Mani	IND	Outer Manipur (ST)

Rajya Sabha Members of Manipur

S.NO.	CONSTITUENCY	NAME OF MEMBER
Keishing Shri Rishang	Manipur	INC

OCCUPATION

Agriculture being the main occupation of the people of Manipur, it has an important place in the economy of the state. Agriculture sector contributes a major share to the total state domestic product and provides employment to about 52.19 percent of the total workers in Manipur.

FOOD

DRESS

IMPORTANT PLACE

Imphal-

The bustling capital city of the state lies in a heart shaped valley 790 m above sea level. This is a melting pot of various tribes that constitute the populace of Manipur. Tourist attractions in Manipur are mostly located in around the city.

Govindajee Temple-

This is a Vaishnavite temple built by the former King's of Manipur. The simple but beautiful structure consists of 2 domes and a large congregation hall. The shrines of Krishna and Balaram on one side and Jagannnath flank the presiding deity.

War Cemetery-

Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains the graveyard. Little stone markers with bronze plaques on them commemorate the dead British and Indian soldiers of World War II.

Khonghampat Orchidarium-

The sprawling land of 200 acres boasts of over 110 rare varieties of orchids including a dozen endemic species.

Zoological Gardens-

It houses Sangai (the graceful brow antlered deer) at the base of pine-clad hillocks.

Langthabal-

This is a small hill featuring relics of a historic palace and architecturally beautiful temples.

Bishnupur-

The place has a Vishnu temple with peculiar Chinese influence. Beside that, the Loktak Lake, the largest fresh water lake of the northeastern India and Red hill where a fierce battle between the British and the Japanese took place during the World War II.

Manipuri Dance-

This divine dance form of Manipur has spread its fame far and wide. It is also a very important one among Indian classical dance forms depicting the sublime love between lord Krishna and his consorts Radha and the Gopi's (milkmaids).

Mera Houchongba-

The festival is celebrated on the 15th of 7th lunar month i,e Mera in Manipuri calender (October-November) to show ching-tam (hill-valleys solidarity). The hill people who have remained away from Kangla for certain reasons came to pay homage to the king with gifts to show this solidarity with the valley people and also to indicate they were also people of this Kingdom even if they were away from them. On this day, they came adorned with traditional dresses with sword and spear at Kangla and performed traditional dances with contest of physical strength and prowess by lifting of stones. And on the part of the king he too welcomed them heartily by serving sweets.

Sajibu Cheiraoba-

Sajibu Cheiraoba is celebrated on the first day of 1st lunar month i,e Sajibu in Manipuri calendar ( March-April) in proclaimation of New Year according to the Meitei Calendar. It was celebrated by the king of Kangla and by individuals in their households throughout the Kingdom. In ancient days, four servants of the king mounted on horsebacks held Khok (stick made from bamboo or wood) fasten with bells proclaimed loudly the beginning of a New Year in different direction of the kingdom. On this day people adorned the deities- Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi with new attires by offering flowers, vegetables and sweets to them accompanied by many ritual practices.

Chingoi Iruppa-

The festival celebrated on the 28th of 12th lunar month i,e Lamta of Manipuri calendar ( February-March) is related to the Sanamahi religion. The underlying idea behind the festival is the purge oneself by dipping into the Chingoi river and then to worship the deity Nongpok Ningthou (standing) at the top of Nongmaijing Hills. The worship of Nongpok Ningthou was practiced by the Meiteis from the early period of history but the practice of Chingoi Iruppa (dipping into the Chingoi River) came into being with Meitei King Naothingkhong paying homage to the soul of his departed wife-Consort in the river Chingoi of Shelloi, her birth place.

Ningol Chakouba-

Ningol Chakouba is celebrated on the 2nd day of 8th lunar month i,e Hiyangei in Manipuri calendar (October-November) is a calendrical festival of Manipur, in commemoration of the genuine bond of love between brother and sister especially married ones. The festival is in practice since the time of King Nongda lairen Pakhangba (33-159 AD).Laisana, royal consort of Pakhangba was invited to a feast by her brother Poireiton. With this, we have the first instance of Ningol Chakouba in Manipur. There is custom of giving present to the sister by their brother as a mark of love and sister blessing their brother in return.

Thabal Chongba-

The festival is based in Meitei cosmology and is celebrated during the month of Lamta ( February-March). With lasses and lads forming human chain and jumping in tune with the music being played. As they jump they retorted to the hymns being sung by a well versed singer. The singer sang the ‘Ongri’ hymns in praise of Gods and Goddess. Besides ‘ongri’ Thabal Chongba was also performed in association with the festival is to ensure peace and prosperity of the society.

Imoinu Iratpa-

Imoinu Iratpa is a religious festival celebrated on the 12th of 10th lunar i,e Wakching ( December-January), with ritual prayer to the ancestral deity. Imoinu who is venerated in every household of Manipur on phunga lairu. The deity was venerated first by the Luwang dynasty, the then Khumans and subsequently by Meitei King Chalamba at Kangla. But was from the reign of King Khunjaoba (1652-1666), deity Imoinu was venerated throughout the Kingdom in every household.

Ukai Kappa-

Ukai Kappa is celebrated during the month of Phairen of Meitei Calendar ( January-February). In this festival human shapes were modeled from leaves of trees or bamboos and they were shot with arrows to portend the fate and future of the Kingdom (with a view to refrain from the ill omens). The fate and future was decided by the target hit upon by the arrows on the human models.

Pakhangba Chenghongba-

Pakhangba Chenghongba is celebrated on the 15th of the 2nd lunar month i,e in Kalen ( April-May) by the king at Kangla with rituals (and prayer) to the deity Ibudhou Pakhangba, (Imploring/praying) for healthiness and enduring of the King and for a rich yield (of grains) to ensure peace and prosperity of the kingdom Manipur is land of festivities, fun and leap throughout the year. The region and its people are busy with the cycle of festivals and the festivals of Manipur projects their cultural, social and religious aspirations which, besides removing the monotony of life and help the people lead a better and fuller life. Apart from the indigenous festivals the place also observed several festivals from the various communities some of them are:

Yaoshang Festival-

The festival is celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Lamta (February-March), Though the festival is one of the significance festival of Hindu religion which is known as ‘Holi’ and here in Manipur too the festival is observed by the people whose religion are Hindu. Yaosang which is consider as the premier festival of Manipur and the festival is popular for Thabal Chongba-a kind of Manipuri folk dance, where boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle.(Thabal Chongba is performed since the time immemorial but after holy festival is celebrated in the state ‘Thabal Chongba’also associated with the festival.)

Ramjan ID-The festival of Manipuri Muslims-

Ramjan Id is the most festival of the Manipuri Muslims (Meitei Pangal) in Manipur and is observed in the usual spirits of joy and festivities as in other Muslim world Ramjan is the ninth month of Hijri year since the time of prophet Mohammed. This month is spent on prayers and after the month on second day of shawwal , when the new moon is visible they break fast and this fast breaking day is called Id-Ul_Fitre. On this day, they go to the mosques to offer prayers and take delicious dishes, exchange greetings and call on the friends and relatives.

Chumpha festival-

Celebrated for seven days in the month of December, the Chumpha festival is a great festival of Tangkhul Nagas. The festival is held after harvest. The last three days are devoted to social gatherings and rejoicing. Unlike other festivals women play a special role in the festival. The concluding part of the festival ends with a provession within the village.

Kut Festival-

The festival is mainly observed in autumn for the different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities of Manipur and it has been variously described at different places amongst different tribes as Chavang-Kut or Khodou etc. The festival is considered as a happy occasion for the villagers whose food stock is bountiful after a year of hard labour. And the festival is a thanks giving feasts with songs and dances in happiness and fun for all, in honour of the giver of an abundant harvest, it is observed on the first day of November every year.

Gaang-Ngai Festival-

The festival widely known for Kabui Tribes of Manipur is celebrated for five days in the month of Wakching (December-January). Gaang-Ngai is an important festival opens with the omen taking ceremony on the first day and the rest of the days are associated with common feast, dances of old men and women and of boys and girls, presentation of farewell gifts etc.

Christmas-

The festival is also observed in this small state of the North East region by the Christians of Manipur for two days on December 24 and 25. The major part of the festival are parayers, reading of Gospels, eating, singing of hymns, lectures on Christ, sports etc. And the festival is extended till January 1st on which the New Year day is also observed in some villages where inhabitants are well-off.s

Heikru Hidongba-

Celebrated in the month of September, a festival of joy, with little religious significance along a 16 metre wide boat. Long narrow boats are used to accommodate a large number of rowers. Idol of Shri Bishnu is installed before the commencement of the race.

Kang Festival-

The festival is Ratha Yatra of Manipur. One of the greatest festivals of the Hindus of Manipur, the festival is celebrated for ten days (July). Lord Jagannath leaves his temple in a car known as ‘Kang’ in Manipur pulled by pilgrims who vie with one another for this honour.

LANGUAGE

Manipuri

FESTIVALS

Ningol Chakouba-

A social festival of the Meiteis (the Vaishnavites) where the women (Ningol) are invited (Chakouba) to a feast at their parental house along with their children. It is the festival that binds and revives the family relations between the girls married away and the parents. Nowadays other communities had also started celebrating the festivals. It is held every year during the month of November.

Yaoshang (Holi)-

A riot of colours and water and the various chanting of the devotees of Lord Krishna is what you will come across during this festival. Another feature of this premiere festival is the Thabal Chongba (Dancing in the Moonlight). The boys from various places will come to the site of the festival and dance with the girls by holding on to their hands and moving in circles. It is celebrated for five days starting from the full moon of Phalguna.

Christmas-

Another community comprising of the Kukis and the Nagas in Manipur are all Christians and celebrate Christmas for two days with prayers, reading of gospels, eating, singing of hymns, lectures on Christ, sports etc. It is usually observed on December 24 and 25.

Ramjan ID-

The Manipuri Muslims observed this festival in the very spirits of joy and festivities as in other Muslim world. During this month the Muslims practice self denial by taking a fast, abstaining from smoke and drink from pre-dawn till sunset. After the second day of shawwal, when the new moon is visible they break fast which is also popularly known as Id-Ul-Fitre. They offer prayers at the mosques, have delicious dishes, exchange greetings and call on the friends and relatives. Ramjan is the ninth month of the Hijri year.

Cheiraoba-

The people of Manipur clean and decorate their houses and make a sumptuous variety of dishes to feast upon after offering the food to the deity on this day. After the feast, as a part of the rituals, people climb the nearest hill tops in the belief that it would excel them to greater heights in their worldly life. It is observed during the month of April.

Chumpha-

Celebrated for seven days in the month of December, the Chumpha festival is a great festival of the Tangkhul Nagas . The festivals is held after harvest . The last three days are devoted to social gathering and rejoicing . Unlike other festivals women play a special role in the festival . The concluding part of the festival ends with a procession within the village.

Gan-Ngai-

This festival is celebrated in the month of December-January after harvest for 5 (five) days. Blowing horn herald the festival, fresh fire is made with the ancient friction method and distributed in every household. Villagers, irrespective of age dressed in their best attire, keep up the dance and songs, intercepting only by short intervals of repose and break dedicated to feasting.

Gudui-Ngai-

Performed during the seed-sowing season in April. After completion of task like clearance of jungle for cultivation everyone will drink juice (dui) of ginger (Gu). Tug of war is performed between male and female as a symbolic representation of competition between God and Goddess for possessing the paddy. If the girls win it indicates a good harvest.

Banruhmei & Tarang-

These are two feasts of merit performed by one who is bold, brave, philanthropist, generous and rich enough to feed the whole village. It is believed that if a man could perform both the feasts of merit during his lifetime, he is supposed to have accomplished his life's work. During Banruhmei various songs and dances are performed observing strict forms. The entire villagers, irrespective of age, will participate the feast, which may last a few weeks. The wife of the host will perform a special dance with a rice beer cistern of gourd, pouring it out rhythmically. Tarang (or Kaisumei) can be performed only by those who have performed Banruhmei, if he still can afford. Here the special house of merit called Tarang-kai is constructed.

Yarra-

this is ante-cultivation festival and it falls around the months of April and May. Thought it celebrated by all, it is a youth festival.

Mangkhap-

post-trans-plantation festival. This festival falls around the month of July. During this festival the people pray for luxurious growth the crops after thanksgiving prayer for the timely rain.

Darreo-

This is a pre-harvest festival. Dharreo means the plucking of the new crop. On this day the first crops, fishes, live-stocks and other items are brought out for sale in the village market. It is fete day for the village. This day specially observed in Hundung village.

Chumpha-

This is a festival of thanksgiving for rich harvest, now gathered in the granary. The mother performs special offerings to the God of harvest and the keeper of the granary. While the mother performs her rituals all males are not allowed to enter the house, hence they outside the house for the night but with lavish supplies of eats and drinks. Because of the nature of its celebration, it is sometimes known as the Feast of the mother or the Feast of the granary. It falls around the months November and December.

Longra Khamang-

This festival is not general in nature but the family which had a rich harvest celebrates this festival inviting the group of the son's or daughter's party who had worked in groups rotation-wise. This is a festival for giving special treatments to the sons and daughters.

Thisham-

Thisham is a festival in commemoration of the dead. It is on this occasion that the dance of the Dead is performed. This is the final rite performed by the family for the dead. It falls around the month of January.