'Merrymaking/Pleasing of the deities'), also known as Umang Lai Haraoba, is a classical,[1][2] ritualistic, theatrical dance and music festival, annually celebrated by the Meitei people, to please the Umang Lai deities of the traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism), predominantly in the Indian state of Manipur.

[3][4][5][6] Outside Manipur, Lai Haraoba is also celebrated in places where the Meitei people live, such as Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

[7] The government of Manipur puts effort in making Lai Haraoba to be recognised by the UNESCO as well as the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), the highest academy of performing arts in India, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

[8][9][10][11] Elangbam Nilakanta Singh translates Lai Haraoba as the “merry making of the gods and goddesses,” and many others use this meaning.

It mirrors the entire culture of Manipur and depicts the close affinities between the hill and plain people.

In the performances, the evolution story with the amorous love-affairs of Nongpok Ninghthou and Panthoibi is depicted and played equally in all kinds of lai haraoba.

[14] According to folklore, the gods held the first Lai Haraoba on the Koubru Hill so that their descendants would imitate them by performing the same rites.

[4] The Umang Lai group includes over 300 deities, such as ancestors, legendary forefathers, and other important gods in the traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism).

[4][5] The rituals of Lai Haraoba honor a male and a female deity, called Lainingthou and Lairembi/Lairemma.

In Andro, a special ritual called Numit Kappa (shooting of the sun) is performed, which is unique to them.

The Phayeng tradition has special rituals, like "Lai Phagi Tounaba," which are not done in other places.

A special part of the festival is the "Ngaprum Tanba" ritual (hunting of eel) on the last day.

[4] The Lai Eekouba rituals focus on bringing a sacred presence into the shrine for the festival.

This is called "lai thong hangba," meaning "opening of the shrine doors."

Sometimes, preparations begin even before opening the shrine, like making rice beer for the event.

Some rituals are done, like bathing (iru sadengba) and removing bad energies (anam-aha kokpa).

People bring fruits, rice, grains, flowers, incense, and candles as offerings.

Before this, a banana leaf with a small offering and sacred langthrei leaves are placed in the center of the area.

The rituals symbolize the creation of the human body, birth, building a house, farming, and weaving.

The procession, led by the maibi, starts in front of the shrine and moves around the area, showing respect to the four directions and their deities.

The maibi dances to show how each part of the body is made, like carving the eyes, drawing the brows, and marking the soles of the feet.

To protect the child, a house is built, with frames made and mud used to plaster the walls.

"[4] The day ends with the participants drawing serpentine patterns, called "Lairen Mathek Chatpa."

The deities are put to rest with a lullaby called Naosumba, played by the pena.

These rituals focus on closing the sacred time and space of Lai Haraoba.

One ritual is "Thang Jagoi," a dance with blades, performed by a maibi at the four corners to remove bad energies.

Other closing rituals include Ougri Hangel, Thawai Mi-konba, Sharit Litpa, and Khencho Chongba.

[4] The sacred presence is let go with the Lai Nongaba rite, marking its departure and return to the other realm.

A Leihun offering of langthrei leaves is made, and the shrine doors are closed for five days.

The focus on dance has shaped how people see and talk about Lai Haraoba, both in Manipur and outside.