Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 15, 2010:
On the eve of Meetei New Year Day, volunteers of the Meetei Enath Kanba Lup, Nambol today spread New Year message to the people with torch rally, the fire of torch being taken from Kangla Fort.
A procession of people guided by Maiba-Maibis took the fire from the Kangla Fort this evening, at about 4 pm and marched upto Nambol on the Tidim road.
The procession of the people is an annual feature which the body organised every year on the eve of Sajibu nongma Panba Cheiroaba.
Before the Assam Rifles shifted from Kangla Fort, they used to light up the torch with the fire taken up Keinou Lam Ahingba Temple.
It was started from 1972, recalled a member of the Meetei Enath Kanba Lup, Nambol.
He further observed that it was a customary from time immemorial to spread the massage of beginning of New Year with a torch rally on the streets.
Prayers seeking blessing from the wealthy and prosperity of the people with the advent of New Year marked the event, he added.