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FESTIVAL CALENDAR · MANIPUR · 006

Festivals in Manipur.

6 festivals across Manipur — organised by month.

Dates vary

Vel Vel Festival

Moreh

Also known as the Fire Walking Festival, this unique celebration showcases the syncretic traditions of the Moreh border town, drawing participation from Tamils, Meiteis, Burmese, and other communities. The festival traditionally features a fire-walking ceremony (barefoot walking over burning coal) as its defining ritual, though this was suspended after 2024 due to ethnic tensions.

February

Gaan-Ngai

Tamenglong

The New Year and post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong people (Zeme, Rongmei, Liangmai, Inpui tribes). Gaan-Ngai lasts five days and marks the closing of the old year and arrival of the new one. The festival carries hopes for peace and prosperity.

Luira Phanit

Ukhrul

The New Year and seed-sowing festival of the Tangkhul Naga tribe, marking the onset of the agricultural season. Luira Phanit (from 'Lui' = field, 'ra' = dig, 'phanit' = festival) invokes the Almighty's blessings for crops and prosperity. The festival features indigenous games, music, dance, folk performances, and the significant Luithui Khami ritual where the Awunga (chief) and Awungva (chief queen) perform the first seed-sowing, after which villagers are permitted to sow their own seeds.

May

Shirui Lily Festival

Ukhrul

Five-day cultural and ecological festival celebrating the delicate and endangered Lilium Mackliniae, which blooms only in the Shirui Hills of Ukhrul. The festival honors Manipur's state flower (declared in 1989) and showcases Tangkhul Naga culture. Activities include a Shirui Lily Literature Festival, trash collection marathon, traditional weaving exhibitions, SheChef cooking competition, drone light shows, and the Miss Shirui Lily pageant.

November

Sangai Festival

Imphal

Manipur's biggest tourism and cultural showcase — named after the endangered Sangai deer of Loktak Lake. Traditional dance, indigenous sports, handloom exhibitions, and local cuisine.

December

Orange Festival

Tamenglong

Annual state-level festival celebrating Tamenglong's position as Manipur's largest orange producer. The festival features over 300 orange growers and exhibitors competing for prizes, with the winning orange receiving Rs 2,00,000. Cultural activities include traditional dances, tug-of-war, indigenous wrestling, traditional fire-making show, and folk song presentations.

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