Ukhrul, September 10: The 14th edition of the Sirarakhong Hathei (Chilli) Festival will be held from September 16 to 18 at Sirarakhong village in Ukhrul district, celebrating the famed Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged chilli variety.
Around 500 chilli growers will participate in the three-day event under the theme “A Heritage of Blessing.” Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla will grace the inaugural function as the chief guest.
First organised in 2010, the festival has become a significant platform to showcase the unique flavour, colour, and quality of Sirarakhong Hathei, which received the GI tag in 2021 alongside the Tamenglong orange. The event also highlights the contributions of local women who turned chilli cultivation into a sustainable livelihood.
Originally scheduled for August, this year’s festival was postponed to September due to delayed ripening caused by heavy rainfall.
Over the years, the festival has not only boosted the region’s agrarian economy but also placed Sirarakhong on the map as a unique hub of chilli cultivation.
