Yaoshang

Yaoshang (Manipur Holi Festival)

5-day festival

Confidence

Probable

Manipur's version of Holi — lasting 5 days around Phalguna Purnima. A straw effigy of Yaoshang (a demon) is built and burned on the full moon night. Thabal Chongba (a traditional Meitei folk dance where young men and women hold hands in a circle under moonlight) is the unique highlight. Children go door-to-door collecting money (yaoshang marammi). Deeply rooted in Vaishnavism that came to Manipur in the 18th century.

Names

  • eng / LatnYaoshang (Manipur Holi Festival)
  • hin / Devaयाओशांग (मणिपुर)
  • tam / Tamlயாஓஷாங்
  • tel / Teluయావోషాంగ్
  • kan / Kndaಯಾವೋಶಾಂಗ್
  • mal / Mlymയാഓഷാംഗ്

Observed at 100 temples