Imphal: The first day of Rath Yatra, locally known as Kang Chingba, was celebrated across Manipur valley on Saturday with the usual pomp and gaiety. The main celebration was held at Palace Compound, organised by Shree Shree Govindajee Temple Board.
The idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra were adorned in the kang (rath) which was nearly 30-foot tall.
Traditional Manipuri sankirtan, involving singing, drumming and dancing while praising the glory of Lord Jagannath, was performed and devotees offered prayers to the deities with fruits and flowers.
A sea of people, including those from other parts of the country, thronged the compound to pull the rath's rope.
Brahma Kumaris served drinking water to the devotees to help them beat the heat. A government ambulance was stationed at the celebration site. Dolls, balloons and toys were sold along the rath's route. A commentary was aired as the rath rolled on.
Another major event was held along the Airport Road, organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), Manipur, where disciples took out a chariot chanting " Hare Krishna".
It is said that Rath Yatrabegan in Manipur during the reign of Maharaja Ghambir Singh, who ruled the then kingdom from 1825 to 1834 after the advent of Hinduism during King Pamheiba (1690-1751) in 1832.
The idols were made from a mango tree at Heibok Ching, Langthabal Canchipur (Manipur University campus).
Chief minister N. Biren Singh greeted people on the occasion. "I join the people of Manipur in the celebrations of kang chingba and pray to Lord Jagannath to shower joy, prosperity and peaceful co-existence among all communities."
Traditionally when the chariot of Shree Shree Govindajee temple returns, smaller raths at residential places began to come out on the street.
During the 10 days of the festival, devotees will visit temples. Prayers were offered at the temple courtyard. People took prasad comprising kitheri, a yellow rice meal. Earlier, the seven-hued flag of Kangleipak (representing seven clans of Manipur) used to hoisted on the roof of the kang, but this has been replaced by kangshi (bell) these days.
