Ceremonial beginning | Yaoshang Mei Thaba & Nakatheng
The festival begins with Yaoshang Mei Thaba, the ceremonial burning of a thatched hut made of bamboo and hay. Yaoshang’s ashes are considered auspicious and are placed at doorways or applied to the forehead for blessings by the tribe. This ritual essentially symbolizes the removal of evil and heralds the arrival of prosperity in the community.
Youth ages 3 and up participate in nakatheng, going door to door to collect small monetary donations while offering blessings of health and success. Some groups even block roads with ropes to raise money from passersby. The Nakatheng money is used to buy sweets and organize a variety of community events.
Meitei, Kuki, Naga and Pangal children come together, holding hands, joyfully singing and dancing during Yaoshang, at the Assam Rifles Center of Educational Excellence (ARCEE) in Somsai, Ukhrul, sending out a message of unity and hope.
🎥: Naga Hills fb page pic.twitter.com/3mkMN8LM3B
— OuroKenobi (@OuroKenobi) March 27, 2024
Moonlight Dance | Thabal Chongba and Mou Thaba
The highlight of the festival is Thabal Chongba, a traditional Manipuri folk dance, performed under the full moon. Young men and women hold hands in circles and dance to drums and even saxophones. The moonlight dance usually takes place on the second day, but can take place throughout the festival. Married women have their own version called Mou Thabal.
Other religious traditions include performances by Vaishnavite elders and sankirtana bands at Krishna temples, especially Shree Govindajee Temple and Shree Shree Bijoy Govindaji Temple. Devotional songs called Pala Eshei are performed from house to house.
#UnderstandNortheast #AppreciateNortheast#BeABetterIndian
Please come to #Manipur this year to experience India’s best, most vibrant and graceful Holi. Yaoshang (also spelled Yaosang) is Manipur’s Vaishnavite devotion to Lord Krishna and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with Meitei… pic.twitter.com/mVvTIxtHwc
— Tarun Vijay, former MP (@Tarunvijay) February 28, 2026
This time celebrate Holi in Manipur and understand North Purvanchal better.
India’s best Holi, most dignified, devotional, colorful, vibrant Holi in Manipur.Yaoshang is a very vibrant festival of Manipur. This is different from the one-day Holi celebrated in the rest of India. pic.twitter.com/wZrS2gqzxZ
— Tarun Vijay, former MP (@Tarunvijay) February 28, 2026
Sports and closing ceremonies | Yubi Lakpi and Brajamai
Sports are a unique part of Manipuri Holi – Yaoshang – and sets it apart from Holi celebrations elsewhere. Local communities organize various games including football, tug-of-war and Yubi Lakpi, a traditional Meitei game similar to rugby. According to officials, this particular sporting event is intended to channel youth energy away from drugs and alcohol and toward healthier activities.
Yaoshang Sports!
Tug of war: Assam Rifles vs Meitei Nupi (women)
The result? Already predicted 😁
Women’s power💪🔥 https://t.co/UCCr4jVJgy pic.twitter.com/yF7iWHavdR
— bạnhii luwang🕊️ (@itsnorth_star) March 17, 2025
💛Bharat’s security forces take part in Manipur’s Yaoshang (Holi) Sports💛
A closer look at the beautiful friendly tug-of-war between security forces and Meira Paibis.
Thank you Indian Security Forces and Manipur Police for your efforts in bringing peace to Manipur and the fight against Kuki narcos. https://t.co/OBJlySTarX pic.twitter.com/4jj8ye7UY1
— Pukning (@PukningWarol) March 19, 2025
The final day sees the Brajamai procession, in which young women march between temples to perform Halankar, a dance depicting mythological scenes from Krishna’s birthplace. The performance concludes with a burst of color, marking the end of the festival.
🪷 Who are the Brajamai?
Brajamai in the literal sense refers to the womenfolk of Braja, the sacred land of Krishna’s childhood. In Manipur, during Yaoshang (Holi), there is a grand Brajamai procession to the Shree Govindajee Temple.
Draped with white chuni, pink phanek and decorated https://t.co/WRlFfL5lGw pic.twitter.com/uefNNmtB6W
— bạnhii luwang🕊️ (@itsnorth_star) March 19, 2025
Yaoshang dishes
Traditional vegetarian dishes that accompany Yaoshang celebrations include keli chana (spicy white pea salad), singju (lotus stem snacks), and Chak-hao gula.
Yaoshang Sports Manipur??? pic.twitter.com/pu6WZiBpzz
— Achumbagi_marup (Modi’s stepfather) (@achumbagi_marup) March 17, 2025
How we celebrate the last day of Yaoshang…
Video credit – Exploring Manipur pic.twitter.com/HvAoYSpcyn
— First Hero (@right) March 19, 2025
PS: A gentle reminder that the state is still in conflict, but communities across Manipur come together annually for this celebration that originates from the Meitei community, which predates the later integration of Hindu Vaishnavite traditions.
For an information briefer, visit the Google site here.
See also: Holi 2026 Memes are flooding the internet ahead of the Festival of Colors; Here are most of the Rangeela ones
Cover: Wiki
#Holi #Yaoshang #festival #colors #Manipuris #Northeast #Indian #state #celebrates #Holi