Amid a 12-hour total shutdown call given by different underground groups, a traditional festival and ritual functions were organized at Imphal on Sunday.

As a part of the festival, a ritual procession was held from historic Kangla Fort Imphal to Sanamahi Temple, 1st Manipur Rifles campus, Imphal.

Mera Houchongba, a traditional and religious festival of Mera Chaoren Houba, a festival for preserving and promoting unity and integrity amongst all communities settled in Manipur was celebrated.

The festival is observed in the theme of solidarity and fraternity of the ethnic groups of the region. It was organized jointly by the Sanamahi Temple Board and Utta Sangleng, Manipur Royal Palace.

Dedicated to the Lord Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi, celebrated by the Meitei people and the indigenous tribal communities of the hills, the participants in the procession took the sacred water from the Nungjeng Pukhri, Kangla Palace, and offered it to the deities at the Sanamahit temple Hahing Khongbal, 1st Manipur Rifles Complex, Imphal. The devotees offer fruits, vegetables, rice, and especially lights and inscences at the Lord Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi.

Governor Anusuiya Uikey greeting the people on the occasion in her message said this festival celebrated on the advent of Mera-tha (September-October) becomes a rallying point for the state’s unity and integrity. The day falls on the first lunar day of the month of Mera according to the Meitei calendar.

Manipur Chief Minister said, “As we believe that the month of Mera brings back the age-old tradition of love and brotherhood between the hill and valley people residing together in the state, the festival holds much significance now.”

The statewide bandh ended at 6 p.m. on Sunday, and the religious ceremonies were exempted from the purview of the shutdown.