Manipur Governor La Ganesan on Thursday extended his greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Rath Yatra, locally as Kang which falls on Friday.
For the Hindu Meiteis, the festival of Kang is celebrated with gaiety on the second day of the fourth lunar month of the Manipuri calendar ‘Engen’ which falls in late June or early July and lasts for 10 days till Kanglen celebrating Lord Jagannath's journey, he stated in his message.
For many, Kang is a symbol of unity, brotherhood, and peace, he stated. Thousands of devotees participate in this yatra and get good fortune by pulling Lord Jagannath's chariot and to be blessed with pleasure and riches. Let this year's Rath Yatra bring everlasting unity, peace and progress for every household in the state, he added.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh also conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur on the occasion.
In his message, he stated that on this day, the idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are taken out from the temple through Rath (chariot) with rituals for the ceremonial procession called ‘Kang Chingba’.
People from all walks of life, irrespective of caste, colour and gender turn up to participate in the procession of Kang Chingba with the belief that holding the ropes and pulling the chariot carrying the deities will wash away all sorrows of life, he stated. Flowers, fruits and sweets are offered by devotees to the lords during procession to different localities.
“I join the people of Manipur in the celebration of Kang and pray to Lord Jagannath to shower the State with joy, prosperity and peaceful co-existence among all communities,” he added.
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