On Vasant Panchami, Vaishnavites Of Manipur Seek Divine Intervention For Peace In Strife-Torn State

Manipur News: Vaishnavites congregated at Hiyangthang Lairembi temple in Imphal West district on the occasion of Vasant Panchami with many devotees praying for a swift resolution of the ongoing ethnic conflict.

Devotees gather at Hiyangthang Lairembi temple on the occasion of Vasant Panchami on Wednesday

Source : Special Arrangement

Guwahati: Amidst the current challenges faced by Manipur, the Vaishnavites, especially students preparing for their board examinations and their families, congregated at the sacred Hiyangthang Lairembi temple in the state’s Imphal West district on the occasion of Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja on Wednesday.

Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja, locally known as “Fairengi Mangani,” is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The Hiyangthang Lairembi temple witnessed a surge of devotees, particularly the 12th-grade students, seeking blessings for academic success. However, beyond academic aspirations, many devotees used this occasion as an opportunity to pray for a swift resolution of the ongoing ethnic conflict that has disrupted lives in Manipur, as per a press release.  

Ibeyaima, a vendor near the temple, while noting the heightened demand for offerings on this special day, said, “The temple opens only on specific days like the full moon, new moon and festive occasions like Bor Puja, Durga Puja and Fairengi Mangani. Devotees offer items for worship on these days.”

Ibeyaima, reflecting the sentiments of the people, expressed her hope for an end to the conflict, acknowledging its profound impact on the lives of the people. “We all are suffering. Our lives are thrown into chaos by this conflict. I want this to end as soon as possible,” she added.

Meisnam Yohenba, a physics teacher at a local school, emphasised the tradition of seeking blessings for academic success during Fairengi Mangani. While accompanying around 40 students from his school hostel, he highlighted the convention to bring the students to pray at Hiyangthang Lairembi temple for good performance in their board exams, the release stated.

Saranthem Medha, a mother waiting for her daughter Caroline Chanu, voiced her hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing ethnic conflict. She expressed her worry about the impact of the conflict on the academic atmosphere of the students and the overall disruption it has caused. “I am here for my daughter who is appearing for her 12^th board exams. She has gone inside the temple to pray for clearing her exams with flying colors. The prevailing situation is upsetting our lives, particularly the academic atmosphere of the students. I pray the unrest ends soon,” Medha added.

The release further stated that the gathering on Vasant Panchami has become more than a plea for academic success but a symbolic prayer for peace and normalcy to return to the restive state.

The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.

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