Yaoshang: Celebrating the Festival of Colours in Manipur

Yaoshang starts on the first full moon day of the month of lamda, from February to March. It commences with worshipers singing hymns and kirtans (recitations), and making offerings to the image of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the founder of Gauda Vaishnavism in a thatched hut.

Preparations for the celebrations start in advance, with the colourful women’s market being one of the places most visited. The Ima market is run entirely by women!

Sports is a large part of the festival for the youngsters. In Imphal, the very first day of Yaoshang starts with a procession from the Kangla Fort to inaugurate the local sports meet.

That evening, the idol of Lord Chaitanya is removed from the hut, and the hut is then set aflame after sunset – a ritual known as Yaoshang Mei Thaba.

Chants of He Hari and Hari Bola fill the air as the hut is set ablaze. The ceremonial hut is burned in every locality as a yearly reminder of the greatness of Lord Vishnu's avatar who defeated evil. 

The ash from the burnt hut is considered extremely auspicious. It is collected and smeared on the foreheads of devotees, as well as at the entrances of houses. 

Come nightfall, the local children dress in traditional attire and visit every house in their neighbourhood to collect the festive lucky money. This is called nakatheng in the native language.

It's up to the children how they wish to spend this lucky money – either save it up, or spend on treats – which adds to their special delight in this festive season. 

The second day of Yaoshang is celebrated as Pichkari, the day Holi is played with colour, in the Shree Shree Govindaji Temple and the Shree Shree Bijoy Govindaji Temple. 

Pichkari is of utmost importance for the Sankirtan Band – if they miss performing on this day, they are not allowed to perform in residences.

The last few days are spent enjoying a number of sports like tug-of-war, soccer and the Meitei game of Yubi Lakpi.


Learn more about the sport here. 

The youth of Manipur has given the festival its own modern flavour – hosting rock concerts, shows, open parties and more! 

A procession of young women, called the Brajamai, sets out from the Bijay Govinda Temple to Shri Shri Govindaji Temple to perfom the closing ceremony, Halankar, on the last day of the festivities.

The Brajamai, represent the women of the Braja village, the birth place of Lord Krishna. Halankar is a dance re-enactment of scenes from mythology. The key scene depicts the Brajamais running after the Brajagopis (cowherds of the same village) with sticks, after being teased.

After the performance, a spray of colours follow, and the Yaoshang festival comes to an end.