Second Day of Yaosang

What Is Second Day of Yaosang?

The Second Day of Yaosang marks the continuation of the Yaosang festival, a five-day spring observance central to the cultural identity of the Meitei people in Manipur, India. It follows the initial lighting of Yaosang Mei Thaba, a traditional straw hut burning, and builds upon the preceding day’s activities. This day typically features widespread community engagement, particularly through traditional dances and continued door-to-door collections.

Yaosang is widely regarded as the most significant festival in Manipur, blending ancient Meitei traditions with elements introduced by the spread of Vaishnavism. The festival is a period of community cohesion, celebration, and the welcoming of spring. The Second Day reinforces these themes through organised activities and communal preparations.

History and Origins of Second Day of Yaosang

The origins of Yaosang are rooted in ancient Meitei traditions that pre-date the widespread adoption of Vaishnavism in Manipur. Historically, it was a celebration connected to the spring equinox and the full moon of the Manipuri lunar month of Lamta, signifying renewal and fertility. The festival’s practices reflect indigenous customs, including specific rituals and community gatherings.

Over centuries, as Vaishnavism became prominent in the region, certain elements, such as the use of gulal (colour powder), were incorporated into the Yaosang observances. Despite these additions, the core structure and many traditional activities of Yaosang, including those observed on the Second Day, have maintained their indigenous character. The festival’s timeline and progression across its five days are deeply ingrained in Meitei cultural heritage.

How Second Day of Yaosang Is Celebrated

Celebrations for the Second Day of Yaosang are deeply communal and involve various traditional practices. The festive atmosphere established on the first day continues to gather momentum throughout the region.

Observances on the Second Day

A key activity on the Second Day of Yaosang is the continuation of Nakatheng. During Nakatheng, children and young people move from house to house, singing traditional songs and seeking small donations. These collected funds are typically pooled by groups of young people and used to organise communal feasts or cultural programmes later in the festival.

Another central component of the Second Day’s evening is Thabal Chongba, a traditional Meitei folk dance. Young men and women form a circle, holding hands and dancing to the rhythm of traditional drums and folk songs under the moonlight. This dance serves as a significant social event, promoting interaction and community bonding. Furthermore, households and communities begin more intensive preparations for the colour-throwing activities that become prominent on the subsequent days of Yaosang, including readying gulal and water.

When Is Second Day of Yaosang?

The Second Day of Yaosang is a variable date, as it is determined by the Manipuri lunar calendar. The entire Yaosang festival begins on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Manipuri month of Lamta. This corresponds to Phalguna Purnima in the Hindu lunisolar calendar.

Consequently, the Second Day of Yaosang falls on the day immediately following the full moon. In the Gregorian calendar, this typically places the festival’s commencement and its second day in either late February or early March, depending on the lunar cycle of that particular year. The exact dates are announced annually.

Second Day of Yaosang Key Facts