Imphal: Festivities for Yaoshang, Manipur's biggest spring festival, gathered momentum on Wednesday as devotees and residents across the state marked the second day with traditional performances, devotional music and vibrant celebrations.
The day witnessed special sankirtan performances, the smearing of colours on faces - locally known as aberteinaba, and children enthusiastically spraying coloured water with pichkaris in temples, neighbourhoods and streets.
The morning began with a long-standing tradition in which children and young people visited houses in their neighbourhoods to collect small monetary donations, a practice that forms part of the festive celebrations.
The rituals follow the traditional burning of a straw hut, known as Yaoshang Mei Thaba, on Tuesday night, which marks the beginning of the five-day festival observed by the Meitei community.
The second day, known as Pichkarinumit or "Pichkari Day," marks the start of the main festivities, with playing with colours becoming a central element of the celebrations.
Devotional programmes also formed an integral part of the observance. Special sankirtan performances were held at the Shree Shree Govindaji and Bijoy Govindaji temples in Imphal, where devotees gathered to sing devotional hymns accompanied by instruments such as the dholak, cymbals and sea shells.
Across the state, processions to local temples, colour-splashing and prayers marked the day. The second day of Yaoshang is traditionally observed as a public holiday in Manipur.
For sankirtan groups, performing on Pichkarinumit holds particular significance. Missing the performance on this day traditionally disqualifies the group from performing in residential areas during the festival.
Celebrated with enthusiasm by people of all ages, Yaoshang symbolises the spirit of community, love and cultural tradition, with the colourful festivities continuing until the final day of the festival.