IMPHAL: Ningol Chakkouba was celebrated in Manipur in gaiety and splendor on Saturday.
On this day married women are invited for a feast at their parental house and presented with gifts on the occasion.
All community Ningol Chakkouba was also celebrated organized by local clubs and organizations where women belonging to different communities were invited for a feast.
Fish stalls were opened since Friday afternoon as fish is the main dish for the occasion.
According to the State Fishery department over 75 metric ton of fish were sold on Friday day and demand for local fish was extremely high which led to sale of local fish over Rs 700 per kg.
The entire state was buzz with activities with people making a beeline in front of fish shops. Married women dressed in her best clothes bedecked with jewelleries went to their parental homes.
In every locality cultural, entertainment programmes were organized till late at night.
Manipur Governor, Dr. K.K. Paul, said ‘Ningol Chakouba, a unique festival of the Meiteis has gained relevance, more than ever in Manipur where the age old social fabric is showing signs of wear and tear. The Ningol Chakouba is observed every year on the second day of the New Moon of the month of Hiyangei (October-November).’
He added ‘On this very day, married sisters are invited over by the brothers to a feast and given ‘Dakshina’ thereafter at their parental homes and these intimate and nostalgic moments strengthen the bond of love and affection between them’.
Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh said the festival is celebrated to signify the unbreakable bond of love between brothers and sisters which reinforce the care and affection of the parents for their daughters binding and reviving family relations.
The festival promotes the feeling of peaceful co existence and harmonious social life, the chief minister added and called upon the people to imbibe the ideals associated with the festival to foster the spirit of amity, harmony and goodwill in life. (UNI)
