Manipur's Annual Sangai Festival Is Back, And Here's Why You Should Go

Manipur's Sangai Festival is back this year with a bang.&nbspEarlier organised in Imphal, it has now expanded to other places as well with this year's festival being organised at the recently set up Sangai Ethnic Park in Moirang. Several huts representing tribal groups of Manipur will be set up here.

The city is close to the Keibul Lamjao National Park where the endangered Sangai&nbspor brow-antlered deer can be found. The world&rsquos only &lsquofloating&rsquo national park is a popular destination on the travel itineraries of those visiting the Northeast. The park spreads across 40sq km and is actually located on a phumdi, on the southeastern part of the lake. The best time to visit this national park is between November and April. One can see the endangered brow-antlered deer or sangai, which is indigenous to this area. Other species of deer seen here include the hog deer, sambar and muntjac. One of the most primitive primates, the slow loris, is found in scattered pockets on the hills. Rare birds also inhabit the park. Waterfowl, winter migrants to the lake, are also found here, though their numbers are declining due to an increase of phumdis. The eastern white stork, bamboo partridge and green peafowl are also found here. The black eagle and the shaheen falcon are some of the raptors seen here.

The Sangai festival will also be held at Khuga and Behiang at the Manipur Southern Cultural Centre. President Droupadi Murmu has been invited to attend the Sangai Festival this year.

Here's what has been lined up this year. 

Art and Crafts Manipur's artisans and craftspersons will showcase their talent with various indigenous handicrafts and handlooms.

Local Built Heritage You can get a window into the living style of local tribes - they will set up a themed display of huts at the heritage park.

Sports You will see (and can also take part) people of Manipur exhibit their skills in native sports, including the famous martial art of Manipur - Thang Ta (a combination of spear and sword skills). Another sport to watch out for is the Sagol Kangjei, an indigenous form of polo. You can also take part in adventure sports like trekking, white water rafting and parasailing which will be held at various locations.