About Yaosang

About Yaosang

Yaosang is the biggest spring festival of Manipur. It begins on the full moon of Lamta, the last month of the Meitei year, which falls in February or March, and goes on for five days. It falls at the same time as Holi in the rest of India.

On the first evening, people burn a small hut of straw and bamboo called the yaosang. This is Yaosang Meithaba, and it stands for burning away the bad of the old year. Children then go from house to house asking for small gifts and coins, which they call nakatheng.

The nights belong to Thabal Chongba, a folk dance where young people hold hands and dance in a big circle under the moonlight to drums and songs. In the daytime, every locality holds sports meets for all ages, from races and tug of war to games for grandparents.

Colours are played over the next days, and devotees sing and visit temples, above all the Shree Govindajee Temple in Imphal. Homes cook special meals, and families give food and gifts to the poor.