: Holi, the festival of colours, began from Thursday in Manipur and will continue for the next five days. Normal life will come to a standstill during this festival locally known as Yaosang. While government offices will be closed down for two days everything else will be locked out. No newspapers will be published for the next five days.
Though this is a festival of the Vaishnava Manipuris the entire State will be under siege for these five days. In the past nocturnal folk dance was held for months together impervious to the various examinations and other social disturbances. However, some years back, insurgents had banned any dancing after the five-day period.
Local clubs and other activists had started organising sports tournaments during this period with the result that the festival is observed in some pockets only by the Vaishnavas. It is much on the cards that this religious festival which came to Manipur along with the advent of the Vaishnavism in the 18th century is on the way out.
From early morning various sports competitions were organised in all localities in the four valley districts. There was no impact of the festival in the Christian dominated five hill districts of the State.
Governor K.K. Paul, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and others have greeted the people on the occasion in connection with this festival of colour.
