Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 19, 2010:
Thousands of people thronged the banks of Sagolband Thangapat (moat) to witness Heikru Hidongba and accompanying boat race festival today.
As in previous years, the festival was organized by Shree Shree Govinda Sevayet Committee.
Before the festivities started, an age-old ritual to please Hindu god Lord Vishnu, the prime deity of the festival, was held.
The rituals which have been performed for the last 232 year began with the idol of Lord Vishnu being brought to the moat in a boat.
Before the boat race began, garlands offered to the Lord were placed on the boats.
Long narrow boats, about 16 metres long, competed in the race.
Imphal West DC K Radhakumar was among the dignitaries who took part in the ceremony.
The festival, celebrated in the month of September, is to bring peace and prosperity in Manipur.
In 1779, Heikru Hidongba was first performed at the moat of Bijoy Govinda, where Lord Vishnu's idol was installed in a new temple.
From then on the festival has been celebrated every year on the 11th day of the month of Langban (August-September).
Manipur is a state in India's northeast and is home to more than 200 tribes.
The state was an independent Hindu kingdom until Maharaja Bodachandra agreed, allegedly under duress, agreed to accede to India in 1949.The state has been racked by separatist insurgencies since 1947.