In Manipur, the festival of strengthening the bond of love between married ladies and their brothers, along with paternal families, Ningol Chakouba will be celebrated today. The festival is celebrated every year on the second day of Hiyangei month of the Meitei calendar. In this festival, the married ladies are invited to their paternal families for a feast to be had together with their brothers and other family members. After the feast, they are given gifts by their brothers. Ningol Chakouba is a Manipuri phrase meaning Ningol- married ladies and Chakouba- having a grand feast together. 

 

 

Married ladies visit their paternal home in traditional dress along with their kids with fruits, vegetables and other edible items in the morning. These items are distributed to the near and dear of the paternal family, and they had a grand feast together, and gifting took place.

 

 

In preparation for the festival, the Annual Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition was held at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal yesterday. Every year, the Department of Fisheries, Manipur, organises this fair cum competition on the day ahead of the Ningol Chakouba festival to provide fish to the public at a minimum price. It is to be mentioned that fish curry is compulsory in this festival.