Imphal, Sept. 21: The people of Manipur today celebrated Mera Chaoren Houba festival.

The Panthoibi Iratpa festival, which is similar to Navaratri, also began in the state today.

The Lainingthou Sanamahi temple board celebrated the daylong Mera Chaoren Houba festival at the temple complex here.

A procession was taken out by the devotees from the Kangla Fort to the temple.

Art and culture minister L. Jayanta Kumar, who took part in the festival at the temple, appealed to the people to celebrate it together.

On the eve of Mera Chaoren Houba festival, governor Najma Heptulla, chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh and deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh wished the people.

As part of the nine-day Panthoibi Iratpa festival, the idols of Panthoibi were brought to pandals and community halls in and around the city.

The deity on a tiger, is believed to be the goddess of war, peace and wealth and is worshipped for a prosperous society.

While the Panthoibi Iratpa festival is under way, preparations of Durga Puja are also seen in different parts of Imphal.

There are about six Pujas in the city.