Page 2 :
e7d195523061f1c01ef2b70529884c179423570dbaad84926380ABC1F97BAEF0C8FC051856578EAB7874501A1FFE158C4981707381814BCC4D9A8E3554438DEE4FBCF5A5B4D2A8B0989AB57E8BAC65EBC0ACE3369F9B1B707740E70491C808D1F20FD706D0DBF4F824911E126C1C49FDF1F0180B5350CCEFE93DC788B7BA7D434C30BF1659B1D328AEC50227C010B3CA, Have you ever attended a Lai Haraoba celebration in your locality? If so, you might have seen Maibis and Pena singers dancing along with men and women. It is not merely a perfomance of dance and music but a religious practice presented mostly with song and dance movements. The courtyard or the open space where the Lai Haraoba celebration takes place is known as 'Laibung'., You might have seen a congregration moving in a long procession, on the road by carrying the idols. There are Maibis, Maibas, Pena singers, men and women differently dressed in the procession. It is a part of the Lai Haraoba celebration. On a day in the first week of the ceremony the congregration willset outfrom the temple and move around the locality. It is known as ‘Lai Lam Thokpa’.

Page 3 :
e7d195523061f1c01ef2b70529884c179423570dbaad84926380ABC1F97BAEF0C8FC051856578EAB7874501A1FFE158C4981707381814BCC4D9A8E3554438DEE4FBCF5A5B4D2A8B0989AB57E8BAC65EBC0ACE3369F9B1B707740E70491C808D1F20FD706D0DBF4F824911E126C1C49FDF1F0180B5350CCEFE93DC788B7BA7D434C30BF1659B1D328AEC50227C010B3CA, Lai Haraoba is a big traditional occasion of the native people of Manipur to pay homage to the deities known as Umang Lai. It has been there in Manipur since time immemorial. Manipuris used to think of their ancestors as demi-gods and worship them as Umang Lai. Temples for the Umang Lais are built in an isolated and forested place. The surrounding areas of the temple are not frequented by the people except only at the time of worship. The descedents of respective clans worship their deiteis by offering Lai Haraoba celebration once a year or after an interval of time., It is usually celebrated in the dry season such as the months of Phairen, Lamda, Sajibu, Kalen etc. (in the English calender Feb, March, April, May etc). It is believed that the celebration of Lai Haraoba ceromony brings peace and prosperity to the land and the people. The system of celebration is strictly maintained. It is generally believed that misfortunes would befall the people and land if its ritualistic system is violated.

Page 5 :
e7d195523061f1c01ef2b70529884c179423570dbaad84926380ABC1F97BAEF0C8FC051856578EAB7874501A1FFE158C4981707381814BCC4D9A8E3554438DEE4FBCF5A5B4D2A8B0989AB57E8BAC65EBC0ACE3369F9B1B707740E70491C808D1F20FD706D0DBF4F824911E126C1C49FDF1F0180B5350CCEFE93DC788B7BA7D434C30BF1659B1D328AEC50227C010B3CA, It is not only a religious ceremony but also a source of social and cultural study of this land and its ancient people. It is known from the of Lai Haraoba that both Polo and the Manipuri folk dance have turn there since the pre-historic days. It gives many valuable information about concepts, beliefs of the ancient people., These days, Lai Haraoba is celebrated with a lot of entertainment. Too much of  entertainment may decrease itsritualistic value. The modern generation should try to know its  meaning and value which are of great academic value and cultural importance.