Kang (Rath Yatra)

Kang, also known as Rath Yatra or the Chariot Festival, is an important religious festival celebrated by the Meitei Vaishnavite community in Manipur. It is the Manipuri version of the famous Rath Yatra of Puri, Odisha, but with unique local traditions and rituals that reflect the distinctive Manipuri Vaishnavite culture.

The festival celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Krishna), his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra from their temple to their aunt's house (Gundicha Temple). The deities are placed on elaborately decorated chariots and pulled through the streets by devotees.

The celebration of Kang in Manipur is linked to the introduction of Vaishnavite Hinduism to the state in the 18th century during the reign of King Pamheiba (later known as Garibniwaz). The king embraced Vaishnavism and declared it the state religion, leading to the adoption of many Hindu festivals and rituals, including the Rath Yatra.

However, as with many other Hindu practices adopted in Manipur, the Rath Yatra was adapted to incorporate local traditions and aesthetics, resulting in the unique celebration known as Kang. The festival has been celebrated continuously for over 300 years and remains an important part of Manipuri religious and cultural life.

Kang is celebrated over eight days with various rituals and ceremonies:

• Chariot Procession: The main event involves pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra through the streets. In Manipur, these chariots are often smaller and more delicately crafted than those in Puri.
• Lai Ikouba: The ritual of invoking and welcoming the deities to their chariots.
• Sankirtan: Devotional singing and chanting, which is a distinctive feature of Manipuri Vaishnavism.
• Ras Lila: Performances of the classical Manipuri dance depicting the divine love between Lord Krishna and the gopis (milkmaids).
• Offering of Fruits and Flowers: Devotees offer fruits, flowers, and other items to the deities.
• Bahuda Yatra: The return journey of the deities to their original temple after staying at the Gundicha Temple for seven days.

The festival is celebrated with great devotion at various temples across Manipur, particularly at the Shri Shri Govindajee Temple in Imphal.

During Kang, various vegetarian dishes are prepared as offerings to the deities and later distributed among devotees as prasad. Some of the special foods include:

• Chak-hao Kheer: A sweet pudding made with black rice, milk, and sugar.
• Various fruit offerings: Seasonal fruits are offered to the deities.
• Sweets: Various traditional sweets made from rice flour, jaggery, and coconut.
• Vegetarian curries: Various vegetable preparations without onion and garlic, following Vaishnavite dietary restrictions.