Imphal, Apr 7 : The New Year day of the Manipuris, “Cheiraoba,” will be celebrated across the state tomorrow but without “Kombirei” the flower which signaled the arrival of the new season.
Cheiraoba being celebrated on the first day of the month of Manipuri calendar Sajibu usually falls in March and April is a sacred and socio-religious festival of the people of Manipur and it culminates with the arrival of a new season, which marks rekindling of the spirit of life.
It is an occasion for introspection and also for searching and evolving new resolutions for the coming year. The two flowers kombirei and kusumlei have special significance on this occasion. But even though kusumlei is still available in plenty in market but there is no kombirei.
Unable to find kombirei in the market when this correspondent asked a women vegetable vendor in Ema (mother) market, she said as the significance of the kombirei has dipped into the jaw of time not a single kombirei could be available for sale she added observing that it may be due to the shrinking of wetlands in the state. This kind of flowers usually grows in the wetlands and lakes.
Known by the Manipuri name kombirei, Iris flowers have a special significance in the Manipuri New Year, or the festival of Cheiraoba. On this day, Iris flowers are given as offering to god. Flowers of this kind are usually light to deep blue and in bloom during spring season.
There are many stories that build up with the flowers mostly based on the love story of youngsters.
Stories and songs indicated that this very flower grows in Yaralpat which is located in Imphal east district and now no more like a lake. In the story of Mainu-pemcha it is said that Pemba brought the flower from Yaralpat as gift from her lover Borajaoba and planted at Lamphelpatmnow in Imphal west. Since the kombirei started blooming at Lamphelpat.
Whatever may be Cheiraoba will be celebrated tomorrow in the state, on this occasion married women would gift their parents and brothers gifts on this occasion and every Meitei family will have a feast. The youths will seek the blessings of the elders. The Khwairamb and Keithel at Imphal are usually packed on this occasion with thousands coming to buy gifts and food items.
After Cheiraoba a new Cheithaba is selected. The Cheithaba is the one who records the major events in the Cheitharol Kumbaba. The uninterrupted line of Cheithaba since the reign of the 15th century king Kyamba could be found recorded in the Cheitharol Kumbaba. The major events since 33 AD are recorded in the Cheitharol Kumbaba under royal patronage. But it seems that kombirei will have no more place on this occasion.
NP
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