Five-Day Puthiba Fest Begins Jan 19 in Agartala
Agartala, Jan 17: The Manipuri community in Tripura is preparing to celebrate the Puthiba Lai-Haraoba Festival, one of its most important traditional and religious events. The festival will enter its 16th year this time. It will be held for five days from January 19 at the Puthiba Debota Temple in Abhoynagar, Agartala.
Puthiba Lai-Haraoba is not just a festival. It represents the spiritual beliefs, social values and cultural history of the Manipuri people. Through rituals, music and dance, the festival tells stories of creation, nature and the bond between humans and deities. It also helps preserve ancient traditions that are passed down through generations.
Addressing a press conference, Deepak Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Puthiba Lai-Haraoba Committee, said the festival plays a key role in keeping Manipuri culture alive. He said the event brings together faith, art and community life on a single platform.
Artists from Manipur will perform during the festival. These include well-known Amaiba and Amaibi Pena Khongba performers, who lead the sacred rituals. Traditional martial art displays of Thang-Ta will also be presented. Cultural groups from different parts of Tripura will take part with classical dances, folk music and traditional art forms. A rural fair will be organised alongside the festival.
The opening ceremony will be attended by MP Biplab Kumar Deb as the chief guest. Other expected guests include Maharaja of Manipur and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumdar, MLA Bhagaban Das, and Manipur MLA L. Suchindra Meitei.
The festival will conclude on January 23 with a grand closing event. Artists and citizens from Tripura, Manipur and Assam will attend the programme. Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony. MLA Rampada Jamatia, Monika Das Dutta, and other dignitaries will also be present.
Cultural programmes will be held every evening. These will include Maiba and Maibi dances, Pena music, martial art demonstrations and traditional songs.
Over the years, Puthiba Lai-Haraoba has become a symbol of cultural unity. It strengthens the identity of the Manipuri community in Tripura. The festival also promotes harmony among people of different northeastern states. Most importantly, it helps younger generations understand and respect their cultural heritage.
According to information provided by Wikipedia, the Puthiba Lai-Haraoba festival is a traditional cultural and religious celebration.
It is observed by the Meitei-Manipuri community to honour their ancestral deity Puthiba, one of the important Umang Lai (forest deities) in the indigenous Meitei religion, Sanamahism.
The name Lai Haraoba literally means “merrymaking of the gods,” symbolising a joyous offering to the deities through dance, music, and ritual observances.