Durga Puja
( Festival of Durga Puja )

By: N Mangi Devi *

The celebration of the festival of Durga Puja in Manipur was started in 1714 during the reign of Pamheiba Ningtou (Gharib Niwaz Maharaja) after he embraced Hinduism through the influence of Shantidas Gosai, the Hindu Pandit who came from Sylhet. It is sychronised with Panthoibi Iratpa of the traditional Meiteis since it had been celebrated at the same time as the one and the same goddess bearing two different names to suit the taste of the people.

This festvial of Durga Puja has been observed during the month of Mera-Tha (October-November) in Manipur valley as is done in other parts of the country mainly in West Bengal certain section. Side by side with it the Panthoibi Iratpa is also observed by the Manipuri Meiteis.

Panthoibi is the primodial goddess of creation as believed by the Meitei society. Panthoibi Iratpa and Durga Puja are amalgamated into one as it is observed at the same time. Both goddesses represent 'power' power of creation and annahilation. It is big or small everything has got different powers as ruled by three gunas, Sattwa, Rajas, Tamas.

Everyone is a combination of these three gunas but domination of one guna over the other is needed for expression of power. In every way of life say, kings and warriors, great men, scientists, politicians, economists, spiritualists need power, without power no truth, dharma, prestige, fame and renounciation can exhibit in this universal world. Power is not only physical but mental, wealth power, intellectual power and people's power.

Shri Shri Durga has gotten arms having power to do anything in all directions. Durga represents full power. She accompanies Laskhmi, Swaraswati, Ganesh and Kartrik. She uses Lion as Her Sarathi. So everyone worships the all powerful Durga. Hence

Durga Puja has a deep value and its celebration and observation bear a great significance in the life of human kind. Stories of Durga Mata are related from immemorial times through succession from ancient Munies, Rishis, Ancestors, forfefathers till to-day and will go on as long as human creation is on this earth.

In Manipur this festival is observed for five consecutive days at different places besides the main places of Sri Govindajee's campus and Hiyangthang Lairembi Mandir at the hill-lock of Hiyangthang about 10 km. from Imphal. This festival is magnified by daily rituals and sankirtana of every group both male and female throughout the day and night during those five days of Puja.

The second day of the festival is observed as BORNUMIT (Boon Day) as it is believed that the kind goddess mother will grant the desire and want to those devotees whatever they ask from her. It is a special and typical function at the Hiyangthang Lairembi Mandir where thousands of devotees come and assemble from early hour to late hour of this particular day to seek grace and blessing of Durga Mata or Hiyangthang Lairembi (Durga and Lairembi are taken as one and the same by most people).

In earlier days this festival of Durga Puja was observed with the patronage of the King. The most interesting event of this festival is on the last day of festivity that is known as Kwak Tanba or Kwak Yatra (driving away the crow) or killing of Ravana. It represents the victory of righteousness over evil.

At a selected suitable place temporary sheds are erected for the king and the nobles. Spear play and sword play are performed in front of the king and the nobles. The king uses an elephant beautifully decorated and the nobles use the horses and chariotes for coming to enjoy the festivity of the function.

The messenger will bring the news of the killing of Ravana and informs the king on which part of Ravana body (effigy) pierced by the instrument (arrow or gun) and accordingly good or bad of the coming year will be announced by the priest.

Now things have changed a lot but still it is being observed in a small way by the nominal king of Manipur as the head of customary law. Then at night the light festivity of the imergence of Durga Image at Thangapat (moat) alongside the palace that is known as Nouka-Khela. Now-days this has been totally stopped with the end of the reign of monarchial rule.

In continuity of this festival the observance of Diwali on the last day of Mera month (october) by lightening the houses, shops and streets with the row of lamps mainly at the Imphal City as is done at other states of the country.

Foot Note:

Mera - Kwak Tanba - On 10th day of Mera Month. Kwak - Sang sapham - Pureiromba Khongang Makhong. Moirangkhom, Wangkhei Keithel Asangbi, Kongba Irong (bridge place). Kwak -Kap-pham - Thombuthong (river bed).

Sasengthong (Angom Hiden, Nongmeibung (Pung-Makhong), Porompat. Now this has been merged with Dusserah. The rules and regulations of this festival has been totally stopped for the last three / four decades. It is only in name performed by the nomial king