Agartala: The 8th Lai Puthiba Lai Haraoba festival, a traditional Meitei festival depicting their social and philosophical life, began at Abhoynagar Puthiba Mandir here on Monday.

It is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance, rituals and sometimes a show of traditional martial arts.

Lok Sabha MP Jitendra Chaudhury inaugurated the festival and said the state government was committed to preserve and development indigenous cultures and traditions.

Census reports say there are over 35,000 people from Manipur, apart from the Bishnupriya Manipuri community in the state.

Puthiba Welfare and Cultural Society secretary Deepak Sinha told The Telegraph on Monday evening that the festival was about upholding tradition and values of the Meitei community.

Lai Haraoba predates all other forms of cultural and religious rituals of Manipuris like Raas. "There are initiatives to preserve indigenous culture and festivals like ker and kharchi. Lai Haraoba dates thousands of years back," Sinha said.

The festival is funded by the state government. The government announced Lai Haraoba as a state-sponsored religious event and state holiday.

Priests at Abhoynagar Mission said the festival is observed in respect to ibudhuo which means forefathers in Manipuri.

"Lai Haraoba was started after almost 25 years in 2009. It is the eighth consecutive fest since then," he said.

The Manipuri leader said the festival began nearly 40 years ago but couldn't be continued for many reasons.

Experts said the festival was suspended during insurgency in the state.

Sarita Sinha, one of the participants in the festival at Abhoynagar Mission, said, "It is a great festival. Thousands of people come together from different parts of Tripura, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and other places."

She said a team of cultural artistes from Manipur was invited to perform at the festival on Monday. Manipuri social organisations from Agartala put up a show with children performing traditional welcome moves as well.