Lukthel /
In the northeastern state of Manipur, the arrival of Cheiraoba marks the beginning of the new year according to the traditional Meetei calendar; the day is also known as "Sajibu Nongma Panba", which means day 1 of Sajibu month. This auspicious day, celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm, embodies the spirit of renewal and new beginnings. Families come together to usher in the new year with joyous festivities and, of course, a lavish feast that showcases the rich culinary heritage of Manipur.
The Significance of Cheiraoba
Cheiraoba, which translates to "the beginning of the year," holds deep cultural and religious significance for the people of Manipur. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and setting intentions for the year ahead. The day is marked by prayers and rituals at home and local temples, seeking blessings for prosperity, happiness, and good fortune in the coming year. On this day, the people start the prayers and rituals with Firoi Fingam Thonba - offerings of new clothes and Athenpot Kaba, which involves offering fruits, vegetables, crops, rice grains, and other uncooked food items and flowers of the new season along with a token currency, a candle, and an incense stick (traditionally used with Uchan Meira and Mekruk) to the deity Santhong Apanba Lainingthou Sanamahi (the King of the supreme Lord), Santhong Apanbi, Leimarel Sidabi (Sanamahi's mother), and Imoinu Ahongbi in every Meetei household that follows the Sanamahi religion, with each house as a temple.
The offerings at the gates
During Cheiraoba, the New Year festival of Manipur, offerings are made at the gates to honor three divine guardians of time:
- Lammaba Tumaba – keeper of the past year (Hakum)
- Lamsenba Tusenba – guardian of the coming year (Nongmei)
- Kumsana Kumliklai – protector of the present year (Kumsi)
Devotees prepare three Luklen (rice and assorted cooked food items and water) along with fruits and flowers of the new season, a token currency, a candle, and an incense stick. The places of the offerings are cleaned and decorated with mud, some flowers, and leaves. These offerings are placed in a carefully structured order: first to the rightmost deity Kumsana Kumliklai, then to the middle Lamsenba Tusenba, and finally to the leftmost Lammaba Tumaba. The head of the family or the eldest son will make these offerings. This ritual reflects the seamless flow of time—past, present, and future—woven into the cultural identity of the Meetei people.
Symbolic Offerings to the Three Guardians
Each of the three guardians of time is honored with a Luklen accompanied by a sacred flower, each carrying deep meaning in the Meetei calendar:
- Kumsana Kumliklai (Present Year – Kumsi): Offered with the Kumpi lei (now known as Kombirei), meaning Season-giving flower (Kum = Season, Pi = Give, Lei = Flower). This rare blossom blooms only once a year, during the transition between the old and new year. Devotees pray for good luck, health, and prosperity.
- Lamsenba Tusenba (Next Year – Nongmei): Offered with the Kumsu lei (modern Kusumlei), meaning Season-completion flower (Kum = Season, Su = Complete, Lei = Flower). Blooming at the close of a season, it symbolizes continuity. People pray for the ability to celebrate Cheiraoba again in the coming year.
- Lammaba Tumaba (Past Year – Hakum): Offered with the Leiri, meaning Alive and Well. This flower blooms at both the ending and beginning of a season, embodying resilience. Devotees pray for freedom from obstacles and misfortune in the year ahead.
Household Offerings and Celebration
Beyond the gate rituals, Cheiraoba also involves offerings within the household. Families honor Salailel Sidaba (the father of Lainingthou), Thongarel (the god who controls the entry and exit of the house), the four corners of the home, the Kot or Kei (grain storage), and other essential spaces that together define a complete household. A special offering is also made to bamboo, an indispensable element of Meetei civilization used in building houses, storage, utensils, and countless daily essentials. These acts symbolize gratitude to both divine guardians and the material foundations of life. Once all offerings are completed, families and invitees begin the feast of abundance, marking the start of the New Year with joy, unity, and prosperity.
Seasonal Farewell Dish
Traditionally, on the night before Cheiraoba, families would prepare and eat Tharoi Thongba, a special curry made with water snails, particularly Lai Tharoi (God Water Snail) in the local language, symbolizing the close of the season. The word Tharoi itself carries meaning—Tha refers to “month,” while roi (derived from loi) means “end.” Thus, Tharoi signifies the end of the month, marking the transition from the old year to the new in the Meetei calendar.
Ancient Roots and Revival
According to the ancient script “Cheiraobagi Masil” (Puya in the local language), the practice is deeply rooted in tradition and identity, having been celebrated for many centuries. However, the ritual nearly disappeared for almost three centuries due to the influence of Western religions and Hinduism. Despite this decline, it quietly endured among indigenous communities and has now been revived, reaffirming the resilience and continuity of Meetei cultural heritage.
Celebrating with Family and Food
Central to the Cheiraoba celebration is the gathering of family and loved ones. Homes are adorned with colorful decorations, and the air is filled with laughter and joy as relatives come together to share in the festivities, sending warm greetings. At the heart of the celebration is the traditional feast, where an array of delectable dishes are prepared to delight the senses and symbolize abundance and prosperity.
The Feast of Abundance
The Cheiraoba feast is a culinary extravaganza that showcases the diversity and richness of Manipuri cuisine. From savory curries and aromatic rice dishes to sweet delicacies and refreshing beverages, the spread is nothing short of spectacular. Traditional favorites like Chamfut (simple boil), Nga Thongba (spicy fish), Eromba (mix seasonal vegetables mashed with ngari), Chamthong (vegetable stew), and Kangsoi (spicy vegetable soup) take center stage, accompanied by an assortment of side dishes, chutneys, and pickles.
Bringing Communities Together
Cheiraoba is not just a celebration within individual families but also a time for communities to come together and strengthen bonds of kinship and camaraderie. Neighborhoods organize communal feasts, where everyone is welcome to partake in the festivities and share in the abundance of food and goodwill. In the present time, the dishes prepared for the feast are exchanged with relatives and neighbours, and this custom is called "Mathel Laanba" after which the feast will start. In the ancient days of the independent kingdom of Kangleipak, the Cheiraoba festival is celebrated for 6 days; the following 5 days after Cheiraoba are called "Silhenba", which translates to "Suspension of work", giving more time for community gathering and strengthening the bonds between the communities. Married women also visit their maternal homes along with gifts for their family and relatives in order to wish them good luck, health, and prosperity.
Looking Ahead with Hope
As the day draws to a close and the Cheiraoba festivities wind down, there is a sense of optimism and anticipation for the year ahead. After the feast, people used to climb hilltops to worship the deity on this new year of the Meeteis (Meiteis), seeking blessings for prosperity and success in the coming months. With hearts full of gratitude and bellies full of delicious food, the people of Manipur welcome the new year with open arms, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. They believe that with this auspicious start, they are blessed with more perspective and will achieve greater heights in life.
The Nighttime
During the night-time festivities of Cheiraoba, the New Year celebration reaches its crescendo with the vibrant tradition of 'Thabal Chongba.' This traditional folk dance brings communities together as locals gather at various locales to dance under the starry sky. With lively music and spirited movements, participants immerse themselves in the joyous spirit of the festival, reveling in the jubilant atmosphere of the New Year. Thabal Chongba serves as a colorful expression of unity and celebration, as people dance with abandon, marking the beginning of a new chapter with boundless happiness and camaraderie.
In Conclusion
Cheiraoba is more than just a New Year celebration—it is a time-honored tradition that brings communities together in joyous celebration and reflection. Through prayers, rituals, and a sumptuous feast shared with family and friends, the people of Manipur usher in the new year with hope, optimism, and a deep appreciation for the blessings of life.
This cultural practice of Cheiraoba signifies that the civilization of the Meetei community is deeply bonded with nature’s rhythms, and reflects a society well-versed in astrology, seasonal cycles, and environmental harmony. It highlights how the Meeteis integrated spirituality with ecology, ensuring that their celebrations were not only about ritual but also about sustainable living, cosmic awareness, and community resilience. Such traditions showcase a civilization that valued balance between human life, natural seasons, and celestial order, making Cheiraoba a timeless testament to the cultural richness of the Meetei people.
FAQs
What is Cheiraoba?
Cheiraoba marks the beginning of the new year according to the traditional Meetei lunar calendar of Kangleipak. The day is also known as "Sajibu Nongma Panba", which means day 1 of Sajibu month; it mainly falls in late March or early April. The literal meaning: Chei comes from the word Cheihei (derived to Chahi in the present time), which translates to year; Raoba comes from the word Laothokpa, meaning declare or announce, and Cheiraoba translates to "Announcement of New Year".
Why Announcement of New Year?
In the early days of the kingdom of Kangleipak, the heads of four pana of the kingdom were ordered to announce the new year to all the citizens of the kingdom by holding a stick; the four pana heads were replaced by one man and recognized as Cheithaba. Why holding a stick? The ancient kingdom used to count number system using Chei (stick); the suffix "Hei" in Cheihei derived to Chahi (Year) means result. So, holding sticks while announcing signifies the result of completing a set of sticks, which fulfilled a year.
What is the Meetei Calendar Year of Manipur in 2026?
The year 2026 is reckoned as the year 3424 in the Meetei Calendar Year of Kangleipak (Manipur), which is 1398 years ahead of Christ. In 2026, Meetei Calendar Sajibu Nongma Panba is on Monday, March 19.
Why is Cheiraoba celebrated?
The festival is celebrated to strengthen the relations or bonds of love and brotherhood among families, relatives, neighbors, and different communities, and there is a sense of optimism and anticipation for the year ahead.
What do people eat on Cheiraoba day?
Traditional favorites like Nga Thongba, Eromba, Peruk Chamfut, Kangsoi, Uti Thongba take center stage, accompanied by an assortment of side dishes. On this day, Peruk Chamfut is regarded as a mandatory dish for its traditional health benefits. Peruk (Centella asiatica / Indian Pennywort) has the following benefits:
- Brain Health: Locally believed to boost memory and focus.
- Digestion: Often consumed to soothe stomach ulcers and improve digestion.
- Skin Care: The juice is sometimes applied to minor wounds or skin irritations to help them heal.
Eronba is also a compulsory dish in most households, whether it is Yongchak Eronba, Soibum Eronba, Lafu Eronba, or Hawai Mapi Eronba; all are seasonal vegetables and herbs.
Nga Thongba, a Manipuri traditional fish dish cooked with locally sourced ingredients and distinctive flavors.
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