Sanamahee Ahong Khong Chingba observed after 350 years

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, June 28, 2018: After ‘350 years’ Sanamahee Ahong Khong Chingba, a Manipur traditional ceremony for peace and prosperity was witnessed in Imphal City.

In the ceremony Lord Sanamahee was adorned on a chariot and travelled in the heart of Imphal city.

People offered fruits, flowers and money as the chariot passes along the busy street of Imphal during the travelling locally known as ‘Kang Chingba’.  Cultural ritual with traditional Pena music and dances were performed praising the glory of Lord Sanamahee as the devotees move the chariot.

The religious procession began in the morning form Imphal Polo ground traditionally known as Mapal Kangeibung and returned back to perform Sanamahee Cheng Hongba, which is still practiced.

During the Sanamahee Cheng Hongba rice, flowers and fruits were offered to the deity seeking boons for a prosperous family, free from diseases, untimely death and separation, blessed with baby to follow lineage and free from evils and all worries.

While people pay the offering cultural troupes performs traditional dances and music showcasing the festive nature of the ceremony.

People from different communities turned up to take part in the ceremony.

The ceremony was organised by Lainingthou Sanamahee Sana Pung (LSSP), angleipak.

Ishorjit Chandam, media coordinator of LSSP said the religious ceremony Sanmahi Cheng Hongba is performed annually however the Kang Chingba of Sanamahee Ahong Khong Chinba has not been performed for more than three centuries.

It is organised in the heart of the commercial city with the motive to make the society recall the tradition which was practiced by our ancestors since long time back.

We want to retell the people that Manipur was once a land where all the communities of both the hills and valley lived harmoniously. And the ritual is performed for peace and prosperity, added Chandam.

According to LSSP the ceremony is performed on 15^th day of Inga month in Manipuri Lunar calendar, based on the myth of Lord Sanamahi circumbulating the world with the advice of his father. This is the day Sanamahi became the Lord of every household.