Joychandra Konthoujam on Monday stressed the need for the Meitei community to clearly understand, protect and preserve Lai Haraoba, describing it as the foundation of Meitei cultural, religious and social life. He was speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the Ibudou Puthiba Lai Haraoba held at the Abhoynagar Puthiba Mandir Society in Tripura.
Addressing the gathering, Joychandra Konthoujam said Lai Haraoba is not merely a ritual but a living tradition that every Meitei, irrespective of age, must understand in terms of its meaning and purpose. Citing Meitei religious scriptures, he said Lai Haraoba is closely linked to forest worship and to the sacred narratives of Koubru Laipham, which describe the origin of the Meitei people and the beginning of the ritual.
Expressing concern over present conditions, he said Meiteis are no longer able to freely access Koubru, calling it a serious indication of losing touch with their place of origin. He added that protecting sacred sites such as Koubru and Thangjing, both mentioned in Meitei scriptures, is a collective responsibility of the Meitei people.
Joychandra Konthoujam also spoke on the various forms of Lai Haraoba, including Kanglei Haraoba, Moirang Haraoba, Kakching Haraoba and Chakpa Haraoba, and said all these forms are sacred and inseparable from Meitei tradition. He said Meiteis must respect and understand all forms of Lai Haraoba in their complete form, as abandoning any of them would weaken the community’s cultural foundation.
He further said that being born a Meitei carries the responsibility of participating in Lai Haraoba and understanding its deeper meaning. According to him, Meitei dance, music, martial arts and traditional games have all originated from Lai Haraoba, and future generations must be made aware of this heritage. He described Lai Haraoba as a core cultural and social institution, stating that as long as the Meitei people preserve it, no external force can destroy their identity.
Highlighting social concerns, Joychandra Konthoujam said Lai Haraoba promotes harmony, well-being and prosperity, but warned that the declining population trend seen worldwide could seriously affect the Meitei community. He cautioned that a sharp fall in the Meitei population could reduce the community’s presence and strength in the future.
The Ibudou Puthiba Lai Haraoba is being organised by the Puthiba Lai Haraoba Committee and the Puthiba Welfare and Cultural Society with support from the Tripura Department of Information and Cultural Affairs. The festival, which began on January 19, will conclude on January 23, 2026, and features traditional rituals, dances and music rooted in Manipur’s Sanamahi tradition.