Manipur prepares for Ratha Jatra festival

Imphal, July 15: Ratha Jatra festival will be celebrated in Manipur tomorrow. The main function will be held at the Shri Shri Govindajee temple, Imphal. Large number of workers and devotees were today giving final touches to the Ratha at the temple.

The festival had been celebrated in Manipur after the Manipuris converted into Hinduism in the 18th century. Unlike the festival at Puri, the temple town of Orissa, only one chariot will be used in Manipur, where idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra will be placed on the same chariot.

Elaborate rituals have already started. As an age-old tradition, none of the smaller chariots in Manipur will be pulled out until the chariot at the Shri Shri Govindajee temple had been pulled.

Security measures have also been taken up in the area and no vehicles will be allowed near the complex tomorrow.

The marriage season in Manipur will also end with the beginning of the festival. Till winter all marriage ceremonies will be cancelled.

UNI