Yaoshang Festival is one of the premier festivals of Manipur. This festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Phalguna and is widely popular as the festival of colors. This festival lasts about five days and enjoy with full of enthusiasm. he five-day-long Yaoshang festival, Manipur’s version of Holi, has begun on Tuesday(07 March, 2023).
- The festival is celebrated every year on the full moon of Lamta (February-March) of the Meitei lunar calendar. Yaoshang begins just after sunset followed by Yaosang Mei thaba, also known as Burning of the Straw Hut. Children visit neighbours to ask for monetary donations, called nakatheng.
- Yaoshang, unlike Holi, is celebrated with a traditional twist in Manipur. During these five days Manipur comes alive with sporting events during the day and traditional “thabal chongba” dance in the night.