Imphal: Kang (Ratha Yatra) was celebrated in Manipur with gaiety and religious fervour on Friday.
The majestic idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra were taken to the chariots at the premises of Shri Shri Govindajee.
The Chief Minister N Biren and large numbers of people attended the ceremony.
Thousands of devotees singing the glory of Lord Jagannath pulled the chariot. Special security arrangements were taken up to control the crowd. As a tradition in Manipur, no other chariot of the Lord is pulled until the ritual begins in the Shri Shri Govindajee temple.
A Large number of chariots filled the roads in the streets with devotees singing and dancing. In the evening people pray and sing songs by dancing in a circle. Women also present a special Manipuri classical dance known as Chali.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh said: “The celebration of Kang festival in the State begins on the second day of ‘Ingen’ month of the Manipuri calendar and ends on the tenth day”.
He added people from all walks of life irrespective of caste, colour and gender turn up to participate in the procession of ‘Kang Chingba’ with the belief that holding the ropes and pulling the chariot carrying the deities will wash away all sorrows of life.
The Chief Minister also offered prayers to Lord Jagannath on this occasion to shower the State with joy, prosperity and peaceful coexistence among all communities.
