Manipur Celebrates Ningol Chakouba Festival

Manipur celebrated Ningol Chakouba on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, with traditional gatherings and community feasts. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh extended greetings, noting the festival’s association with family ties, respect and social harmony.

Festival traditions and fish fair

Observed primarily by the Meitei community, Ningol Chakouba celebrates the bond between married daughters, known as Ningols, and their parental families. Married women, often with their children, visit their parents’ homes for a feast and exchange of gifts. The festival falls on the second day of the new moon in the Manipuri month of Hiyangei, usually in October or November. Fish curry is a customary feast dish; the Department of Fisheries, Manipur, held the Annual Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition 2026 in Imphal on November 10 to support its availability.

Community celebrations and assistance

The All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation (AMESCO), the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and state forces organised inter-community celebrations at Khonghampat, Kakching, Pallel, Kakching Khunou and Bishnupur, involving tribal communities and residents of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Ahead of the festival, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced Rs 5.88 crore in assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for 58,863 eligible IDPs. Manipuris living outside the state, including in Mumbai, also celebrated on November 11 in intimate gatherings.

Important Facts for Exams

• Invitation custom: In Ningol Chakouba, the family’s son traditionally invites his married sister to the gathering a week beforehand.
• Religious character: Ningol Chakouba has no specific religious connotations; it is a social celebration that strengthens affection between married women and their families.
• Wider observance: Ningol Chakouba is also celebrated by Meiteis living in Assam, Bangladesh and Myanmar, beyond its home state of Manipur.