Lai Haraoba is one of the important festivals of Manipur, and it is celebrated to pay respect and honour to the local traditional Deities and Ancestors. The festival is usually celebrated by the Meitei community and is also referred to as the ‘Festivity of the Gods’. In this festival, the people worship Sanamahi, Pakhangba, Nongpok Ningthou, Leimarel Sidabi and around 364 Umang Lais or jungle Deities . This festival is organized as a piece of memory of the contribution of God in creating the Universe and also it is celebrated in the memory of the development of plants, animals and human beings.
According to the legends, Kuru Sidaba was the greatest Lord who resided in a dark vacuum which once got illuminated and gave him a sign to create the world. So, the whole purpose of this purpose is not to forget the creation of the universe. Also, according to some belief, the festival was first celebrated in Koubru Ching ( Koubru Hill in Kanglepak. ie. Manipur )
Lai Haraoba is a ritualistic festival of the Meiteis observing from the ancient times. It is a ritual enactment of the creation myth. It mirrors the entire culture of Manipur and depicts the close affinities between the hill and plain people.
Lai Haraoba is also celebrated in different part of the world mainly in Assam.
Nowadays cultural program like Martial Arts performance, Comedy, Jagoi(dance) also perform as an entertainment at some places.

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Cameraman-Meitankeishangbam Meira Khuman

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