Imphal, 24 March 2016 : The five day Yaoshang, the festival begins today in Manipur. People today burnt the small huts, Yaoshang specially erected for the day in different localities in the evening signalling the beginning of the five day festival of colours. The main function was held at the Shri Shri Govindajee Temple in Palace Compound. Believers offered fruits and aarti at the idol of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu after it was placed inside the well decorated Yaoshang. Later they set fire to the Yaoshang.  Similar scenes are also seen in different localities where people burnt  the huts in the evening. Children went door to door asking for Nakatheng in the evening.

The festival of colours, Yaoshang, which is considered as one of the most important festivals of Manipur begins today. The five day festival will be celebrated with traditional and religious fervour and gaiety in various parts of the state. This morning a large number of people including young boys and girls from different localities came to the sacred Kangla to light the torch for the Yaoshang sports being held during the festival. They came to the historic fort from the southern and western gate to light their torches at the Kangla Utra.