A historical artwork of traditional boat racing in Manipur — A historical artwork of Hiyang Tannaba, Manipur's traditional boat racing; representative image.

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Heikru Hidongba

Name: Heikru Hidongba
Location: Thangapat (moat) of Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple, Sagolband, Imphal West.

A ritual boat-race festival at the Bijoy Govindajee moat, joining faith, ceremony and Manipur's hiyang racing tradition.

When

Eleventh day of Langban, usually September; the Gregorian date changes yearly.

Exact dates for the coming year haven't been announced or verified yet — this page will be updated when they are.

Where

Thangapat (moat) of Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple, Sagolband, Imphal West.

Heikru Hidongba is observed on the eleventh day of Langban at the moat of Shri Bijoy Govindajee Temple in Imphal West. The ceremony combines offerings and devotional rites with races in long traditional boats. The name refers to heikru, the Indian gooseberry used in the ritual. It is related to, but more specifically ceremonial than, the wider Hiyang Tannaba boat-racing tradition.

What to expect

Ritual offerings, sankirtan, decorated boats and tightly contested races. The moat fills quickly, so arrive early and leave ceremonial areas unobstructed.

Official festival information

Around this festival: what the month is like · getting there · where to stay