Ningol Chakouba was celebrated across Manipur on 11 November 2026 with traditional family gatherings, festive meals and community programmes. The festival is an important social occasion, especially for the Meitei community. It celebrates the bond between married daughters and their parental families and highlights the values of love, respect and togetherness.

On the occasion, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh extended their greetings to the people. They highlighted the festival’s role in strengthening family relationships and promoting social harmony.

What Is Ningol Chakouba?

Ningol Chakouba is a traditional festival mainly observed by the Meitei community of Manipur. The word refers to the relationship between a married woman and her parental family. During the festival, married daughters, known as Ningols, visit their parents’ homes, often accompanied by their children.

The family welcomes them with a special meal and gifts. The gathering gives married daughters an opportunity to reconnect with their parents, brothers and other family members. It also allows children to spend time with their maternal relatives.

Unlike festivals centred on religious ceremonies, Ningol Chakouba is primarily a social and cultural celebration. Its main purpose is to strengthen affection and maintain close relationships between married women and their families.

Traditional Customs and Special Feast

One of the most important traditions of Ningol Chakouba is the family invitation. Traditionally, the family’s son invites his married sister to visit the parental home about a week before the festival.

On the festival day, families prepare a special meal for their daughters and guests. Fish curry is one of the customary dishes served during the celebration. Other traditional foods are also prepared according to family customs.

The festival falls on the second day of the new moon in the Manipuri month of Hiyangei, which generally comes in October or November. Families follow this traditional calendar while preparing for the occasion.

Annual Fish Fair Held in Imphal

Fish has a special place in the Ningol Chakouba feast. To support its availability during the festive period, the Department of Fisheries, Manipur, organised the Annual Fish Fair cum Fish Crop Competition 2026 in Imphal on 10 November.

The event was held a day before the main festival. Such activities help connect traditional food practices with local fish production and the state’s fisheries sector.

Fish farming and fisheries are important sources of food and livelihood in Manipur. The annual fair also provides a platform to highlight fish production and related activities.

Community Celebrations Across Manipur

Ningol Chakouba 2026 was also marked through inter-community programmes in different parts of the state. The All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation (AMESCO), the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and state forces organised celebrations at Khonghampat, Kakching, Pallel, Kakching Khunou and Bishnupur.

These programmes brought together members of different tribal communities and residents of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. The celebrations provided an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to share festive meals and participate in community activities.

The events also highlighted the role of cultural programmes in encouraging interaction and social connections among communities during a challenging period for Manipur.

Financial Assistance for Internally Displaced People

Ahead of the festival, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced financial assistance of Rs 5.88 crore for 58,863 eligible internally displaced people.

The assistance was provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), a system through which government benefits are transferred directly to eligible beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

The announcement was made as part of the arrangements surrounding the festival. It was particularly relevant for families affected by displacement who were also observing the occasion.

Ningol Chakouba Celebrated Outside Manipur

The festival is not limited to people living in Manipur. Meitei communities in other parts of India and neighbouring countries also observe Ningol Chakouba.

Manipuris living outside the state, including members of the community in Mumbai, celebrated the festival on 11 November through small family gatherings. Meitei communities in Assam, Bangladesh and Myanmar also observe the occasion.

These celebrations help people maintain their cultural traditions even when they live far from their home state. Through family visits, traditional food and community gatherings, Ningol Chakouba continues to preserve the cultural identity of the Meitei people.