Thousands of devotees thronged the Shri Shri Govindaji Temple at the Palace Compound in Imphal on Friday to mark the auspicious occasion of Ratha Yatra, locally known as Kang Chingba.
The festival, celebrated with fervent devotion across Manipur’s valley districts, saw its central observance at the Shri Shri Govindaji Temple—one of the most prominent Vaishnavite shrines in the state. The celebration was marked by rituals, chants, and the grand procession of the chariot, or Kang, of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla visited the temple and offered prayers, joining the devotees in the spiritual celebration.
People from diverse communities, including non-Manipuris, participated in the festivities, pulling the sacred chariot through the streets amid music, dance, and chants in praise of the deities.
Unlike the single-day celebrations seen in some parts of India, the Ratha Yatra in Manipur spans ten days and is observed in the lunar month of the Manipuri calendar, usually falling between June and July.
The festival, rich in cultural significance, reflects Manipur’s unique blend of Vaishnavite tradition and local customs, uniting people in devotion and communal harmony.
