The "pleasing of the gods" - Manipur's oldest living ritual festival, part liturgy, part origin-myth in dance.
Held shrine by shrine, mostly April-June; each lai has its own days.
Exact dates for the coming year haven't been announced or verified yet — this page will be updated when they are.
Umang Lai shrines across the valley; Andro and Kakching celebrations are well known
Lai Haraoba is the pre-Vaishnavite ritual festival of the Umang Lai (forest deities), in which maibi priestesses re-enact the creation of the world through chant and codified dance. It is the root from which Manipuri classical dance grew. Celebrations run for days at lai shrines across the valley - Andro's is among the best known - mostly in April-June.
Ritual processions, maibi dances, pena music, sports and evening cultural events at the shrine grounds. Dress and behave respectfully - these are living religious rites.
Around this festival: what the month is like · getting there · where to stay