“As Manipur celebrates Kang festival, read all about the Meitei community’s own version of Jagannath Rath Yatra”, Opindia, June 26, 2025:
“The famous Jagannath Rath Yatra that takes place annually in Puri Odisha, has a Manipuri version as well, called the Kang festival. Kang is of one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated by the Meitei community in Manipur. Kang Yatra is similar to the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra and includes a procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra seated on a chariot pulled by devotees.
During the Rath Yatra, the Hindu deities leave their abode and travel in the procession for around 10 days in Ashadh month of Hindu Calendar. The rituals performed before and after the Kang Yatra are similar to the Jagannatha Puri Rath Yatra. For example, before the beginning of the Kang Yatra, Lord Jagannath and his siblings are given a sacred bath on Snan Purnima, just like the Jagannath Puri Yatra.
This year’s Kang Yatra also began with the Jagannath Puri Yatra, i.e. on 27th June. On the auspicious occasion, Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla visited the Shree Shree Govindajee Temple in Imphal, a prominent Vaishnavite shrine located in the state capital…….”
Read the full article at Opindia.com
