IMPHAL, September 5: The annual historical festival of Manipur Heikru Hongba was celebrated today at the Shri Shri Bijoy Govinda Thangapat, Sagolband. It was organised by the Patriarch (Sagei Purel), Shri Shri Bijoygovinda Sevayet Committe.
Thousands of devotees gathered at the Shri Shri Bijoy Govinda Thangapat to watch the festival and boat races.
Heikru Hidongba was started on 1779 at Shri Shri Bijoy Govinda Thangapat with devotional songs.
The boat race was conducted with the two teams representing the two cardinal directions of south and north competing each other. The southern team was led by Kongbrailatpam Irik Sharma, 12 years, son of K Raman Kumar Sharma of Tera Amudon Akham Leirak as the Tengmailakpa. Kongbrailatpam Rudrashk Sharma, 10 years, son of K Rajeshkumar Sharma of Tera Amudon Akham Leirak led the Northern team as its Tengmailakpa.
This year the two boats were donated by Salam Romen and are made from (JAM) Java plum trees brought from Tamenglong district.
Mean while, Sogolband MLA RK Imo Singh, Keirao MLA Karam Thamarjit and Konthoujam MLA Sarat Singh also attended the festival.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/09/heikru-hidongba-celebrated-with-much-fanfare/