Yaoshang Festival

Yaoshang

View on map
Religious & SpiritualImphal
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageYaoshang's distinguishing features are the
LanguageHindi, English, and local languagesCurrency: INR
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Yaoshang Festival in Imphal

Yaoshang is Manipur's own version of Holi, a five-day festival beginning on the full moon of the Meitei month of Lamta with the burning of a straw hut, Yaosang Mei Thaba. Children collect house-to-house donations, devotees perform Sankirtan at Govindaji temple, and young people dance Thabal Chongba, a moonlit hand-in-hand circle dance, before color-throwing on the final days.

Yaoshang opens at dusk on the full moon night of Lamta, a month in the Meitei lunar calendar, when villages across the Imphal valley burn a small hut built of straw and bamboo in a rite called Yaosang Mei Thaba, and the five-day festival takes its shape from that fire.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Yaoshang's distinguishing features are the ones that predate its overlap with Holi: Yaosang Mei Thaba, the burning of a straw-and-bamboo hut at dusk on the first night, the door-to-door nakatheng collection by children, and Thabal Chongba, the moonlit hand-in-hand circle dance where the ring of dancers expands to admit newcomers

02

The mystery stays covered

Color-throwing, the feature Yaoshang shares with Holi elsewhere, is confined to only the last two of the five days, with the earlier days built instead around household ritual, temple devotion, and neighborhood custom rather than public spectacle

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Yaosang Mei Thaba

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the ritual burning of a straw and bamboo hut on the first evening

The sacred route

Living ritual

children's house-to-house collection of small donations

The local code

Living ritual

Sankirtan devotional performances at the Govindaji temple and local shrines

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and Thabal Chongba

Tradition 6

Living ritual

the moonlit circle dance for young people

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Base the route around Imphal; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.

What to wear

Old or washable clothing is practical for the color- and water-play days near the end of the festival. For Thabal Chongba and temple visits, modest, comfortable attire suited to standing or...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near Imphal or a practical transport base if you want a simpler arrival and return.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

INR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map24.81 N, 93.94 EOpen in Google Maps

Imphal, Manipur, India

Nearest airportIMF — Bir Tikendrajit
TransportBase the route around Imphal; confirm local transport, road controls or venue access close to the day.
Stay areaStay near Imphal or a practical transport base if you want a simpler arrival and return.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Imphal via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Imphal, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearOld or washable clothing is practical for the color- and water-play days near the end of the festival. For Thabal Chongba and temple visits, modest, comfortable attire suited to standing or dancing outdoors in the evening is customary.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for India and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Yaoshang Festival?

Yaoshang Festival is listed for March · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Yaoshang Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Imphal, India. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Imphal, Manipur, India

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvajiramandravi.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually March
Source statusOfficial source linked
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