Shirui Lily Festival

The Shirui Lily Festival is a vibrant celebration centered around the rare and endangered Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), a flower that grows exclusively on the Shirui Hills in Ukhrul district of Manipur. This unique flower, which blooms only for a short period in May-June, is the state flower of Manipur and holds special significance in the cultural identity of the region.

Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, this festival aims to promote tourism in the state while raising awareness about the conservation of the Shirui Lily and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Tangkhul Naga tribe.

The Shirui Lily Festival is a relatively recent addition to Manipur's festival calendar, having been initiated by the state government in 2017. However, the Shirui Lily itself has a much longer history and significance in the region.

The flower was first documented by botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward in 1946 and was named after his wife, Jean Macklin. The Shirui Lily is endemic to the Shirui Hill range and grows at an altitude of about 8,500 feet above sea level. It blooms for a short period between May and June.

For the local Tangkhul Naga community, the flower has been a part of their folklore and cultural identity for generations. The festival was established to celebrate this unique natural heritage and to promote eco-tourism in the region.

The Shirui Lily Festival is a five-day extravaganza that combines cultural showcases, music, sports, and adventure activities:

• Cultural Programs: Performances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Tangkhul Naga tribe and other communities of Manipur, including traditional dances, music, and theatrical presentations.
• Music Concerts: Live performances by local and national artists, including rock bands, folk musicians, and contemporary performers.
• Shirui Lily Trek: Guided treks to the Shirui Hills to view the rare Shirui Lily in its natural habitat.
• Indigenous Games: Demonstrations and competitions of traditional Tangkhul games and sports.
• Food Festival: Stalls offering traditional Tangkhul cuisine and other Manipuri dishes.
• Handicrafts Exhibition: Display and sale of traditional Tangkhul handicrafts, textiles, and artifacts.
• Beauty Pageant: Miss and Mr. Shirui Lily contests celebrating the beauty and talent of the local youth.
• Adventure Sports: Activities like rock climbing, mountain biking, and paragliding (depending on weather conditions).

The Shirui Lily Festival offers a great opportunity to sample traditional Tangkhul Naga cuisine and other Manipuri dishes. Some of the special foods featured during the festival include:

• Chamthong: A vegetable stew that is a staple in Manipuri cuisine.
• Galho: A traditional Naga dish made with rice, vegetables, and meat or fish.
• Axone (Akhuni): Fermented soybean, which is a popular ingredient in Naga cuisine.
• Smoked Meat: Various preparations of smoked pork, beef, and other meats, which are specialties of Naga cuisine.
• Bamboo Shoot Dishes: Various preparations using fresh or fermented bamboo shoots.
• Rice Beer: Traditional rice beer (for those who consume alcohol).