REMEMBERING SHIRUI LILY FESTIVAL IN MANIPUR

Abstract

Manipur (India) is a land of Blue Hills and green valley. It is in the extreme northeastern border of India. According to 2011 census the total population is 28,55,794 lakhs. Different communities having their own language and culture are residing in the state. But the main language in the state is Meitei language. Shirui lily is the state flower of Manipur and this flower is found only in Ukhrul district. The Government of Manipur organized a festival in the name of this state flower called “Shirui festival” as a state function from 2017 onwards. The main theme of the festival is to conserve the flower as well as unite together all the communities through cultural exchange programmed and enhances the tourism industry in the state. This article is based on secondary data and it tries to highlight the importance of “Shirui festival” in the state of Manipur (India) in terms of sociological, economic psychological and tourism point of view.