Manipur on Friday saw the beginning of the five-day sports festival Yaosang , with torch rallies in the city.
During the festival, Manipuri vaishnavite elders traditionally perform the traditional 'Holi Pala' and 'Eshei' singing devotional songs at places of worship, including the Shri Shri Govindajee temple at the Palace compound in the city.
Other customs that the people of the region observe are taking out a procession to a local temple, playing with colours and offering prayers to the deity.
The highlight of Yaoshang is the 'Thabal Chongba' dance, where girls and boys form a huge circle holding hands and dance and sing.
The festival also marks the onset of spring and holds mythological importance as the triumph of good over evil.
