The Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) has announced that the annual religious observance of Cheng Hongba will be held on June 29 in association with religious functionaries and devotees.
Speaking to the media, Lourembam Rameshwor, MLA of Keirao Assembly Constituency and Vice President of the Board, stated that the ritual involves offering rice at the sacred shrines of Lainingthou Sanamahi and Ima Leimarel Sidabi. He said the ceremony is traditionally performed with prayers for peace, prosperity, and a bountiful harvest for the land and its people.
As part of the preparations for the observance, a cleanliness drive was conducted today at the Lainingthou Sanamahi Shanglen at Haying Khongbal Uphong Yumpham. The drive was led by Lourembam Rameshwor and LSTB Member Secretary Sandham Gandharaj, with the participation of volunteers from ten committees of the Shanglen.
During the visit, the MLA also reviewed the arrangements being made for the Cheng Hongba ceremony, which is scheduled to be observed on the first day of the Meitei lunar month of Inga.
Rameshwor stated that the Cheng Hongba ritual has been observed by the Meitei community since ancient times as an expression of devotion to Lainingthou Sanamahi and Ima Leimarel Sidabi. He noted that extensive cleaning and maintenance works are being undertaken at the Lainingthou Sanamahi Shanglen ahead of the event.
He further said that efforts would continue to promote and strengthen the Sanamahi faith, the traditional religion of the Meitei community.