IMPHAL, June 27: The annual Kang Festival, Manipur’s culturally rich version of the Jagannath Rath Yatra began today with grandeur and deep spiritual fervour, as thousands of devotees thronged the streets to pull elaborately decorated chariots bearing the sacred idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra across Imphal and the valley districts.
The central Rath Yatra celebration unfolded at the iconic Shree Shree Govindajee Temple in Imphal, a revered Vaishnavite shrine. Devotees participated in large numbers to pull the traditional chariot, known locally as “Kang,” while offering seasonal fruits, flowers, sweets, and prayers at various stops along the procession route.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla marked the auspicious beginning of the festival with a visit to the Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, where he offered prayers for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of the people. He also extended warm festival greetings to the citizens of the state.
The festive spirit extended to other major religious sites, including Shree Shree Bijoy Govinda Temple and ISKCON Imphal (Radha Krishnachandra Mandir, Sangaiprou). The ISKCON chariot procession, enlivened by Sankirtana, Aarti, and devotional chanting, reached as far as Keishampat Junction before returning to its temple base.
Despite the scorching summer heat, men, women, children, and elders alike took part in the celebrations with unflagging devotion. In accordance with Meitei Vaishnavite traditions, households along the route made heartfelt offerings of fruits and sweets to the passing chariots, a gesture symbolising community spirit and reverence.
The spiritual observances of the Kang Festival extend beyond the day’s chariot procession. Each evening during the eight to ten-day celebration, temples and mandaps across Manipur become vibrant with Jayadev Chongba—a distinctive form of devotional Sankirtana performed in gender-based circles to the rhythmic beats of the Pung (Manipuri mridanga). These evening rituals often culminate in graceful devotional dances by women and young girls dressed in traditional attire, further enriching the festive and spiritual atmosphere.
The Kang Festival remains one of the most culturally significant and spiritually uplifting events in Manipur’s religious calendar, drawing in faithful participants and onlookers from various communities, reinforcing a deep sense of unity, devotion, and tradition.
