Dol Jatra Regionally referred to as 'Yaosang' in the local language of Manipur, Dol Jatra is celebrated in March during the full moon day of the 'Phalguna', which continues for the next five days. Men as well as the local women participate in this festival of colours while the children approach elders and request them for money. At night, girls and boys of Thoubal district assemble and dance together, accompanied by the music of drums. Dol Jatra is the grandest festival of Thoubal district. Rath Yatra Also termed as 'Kang', Rath Yatra is observed in 'Jyaistha' month for a period of seven days and is a significant festival of Thoubal. During the very first day and also the seventh day of Rath Yatra, idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are placed inside chariots known as 'Rathas' and they are drawn. 'Bhog' and flowers are distributed to the devotees who are present in the ratha ceremony. At night, 'Choideb Palas' are conducted and songs are sung praising the divine. Muslim Festivals of Thoubal District Milad-Un-Nabi, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Zuha or 'Bakrid' and Muharram are the different Muslim festivals which are observed in the district of Thoubal. During the days of the festivities of Eid, visitors are invited to feasts and offered gifts. Greetings are exchanged between friends and relatives. Tribal Festivals of Thoubal District The tribal festivals of Thoubal district include the 'kut' festival which is celebrated by 'Thados' or 'Kuki Tribes', 'Gang-Ngai' festival and 'Luita' festival of the 'Tangkhuls'. Other Festivals of Thoubal District 'Ningol Chakouba' or 'Bhugni Bhuajan', Durga Puja and 'Janmashtami' are the various festivals which are celebrated by the people of Thoubal district. During the Ningol Chakouba festival, married and unmarried regional ladies are invited to lavish feasts by their relatives, which are followed by the ritual of presenting gifts to them. 'Ras' and 'Lai Haraoba' are the other local festivals. 'Lai Haraoba' is a festival which is observed in the traditional style which is practiced to please the forest gods or 'Umang Lais'. Christmas is yet another big festival which is observed by the regional Christians residing in Thoubal district. |