Sajibu Nongma Panba

For other traditions of celebrating the lunar new year, see Lunar New Year.
See also: Indian New Year's days

Further information: Meitei calendar
Sajibu Nongma Paanba
Also calledMeitei Cheiraoba, Meetei Cheiraoba
Observed byMeitei people
TypeAsian
Celebrations1 day
Begins1st day of the Month of Sajibu
DateMarch (generally), April (occasionally)

Sajibu Nongma Pānba (Meitei for 'First day of Sajibu month'), also called Meitei Cheiraoba (Meitei for 'Meitei New Year') or Sajibu Cheiraoba (Meitei for 'Sajibu New Year'), is the lunar new year festival of the Meitei people who follow Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion), celebrated predominantly in the Indian state of Manipur.[1][2] The name Sajibu Nongma Pānba derives from the Manipuri words: Sajibu - the first month of the year which usually falls during the month of April according to Meitei lunar calendar, Nongma - first date of a Month, Pānba - to be. Literally, it means the first day of the month of Sajibu. It is also celebrated by the Indian diasporas in western countries, including but not limited to Canada[3][4] and Australia.[5][6] Similarly, it is also celebrated in many Indian cities outside Manipur, like in Bangalore,[7][8] Guwahati,[9] Kolkata,[10][11] Mumbai,[12] Pune,[13][14][15] among many others.[16]

However, according to the follower of the faith of Sanamahism, Meitei New Year/Sajibu Nongma Panba started during the reign of King Maliya Fambalcha (1359 BC-1329 BC) also known as Koi-Koi. Koikoi ascended the throne at the age of 25 years. From this day, the dating of Meitei calendar (Cheiraoba) known as Mari-Fam was introduced. Hence, 1359 BC will be 25 MF, and 2000 AD will be 3334 MF in Meitei calendar taking the birthday of KOIKOI as 00 MF.[17] King Koikoi reigned till 1364 MF according to the Meitei calendar (the Meitei calendar is still unclear and unpublished though).↵Not to forget, Koi-Koi ascended the throne from King (Ningthou in Meitei) Kangba (1405-1359 BC).

  1. ^ "Sajibu Cheiraoba New Year Observation of Meeteis".
  2. ^ Sajibu Cheiraoba
  3. ^ "Sajibu Cheiraoba celebrated in Toronto". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  4. ^ "Cheiraoba – Manipuri Association of Canada". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  5. ^ Bureau, EastMojo News (17 April 2019). "Cheiraoba: How Manipuri expats ushered in New Year in Melbourne". EastMojo. Retrieved 29 September 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ^ "Cheiraoba at Melbourne". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Bangalore Cheiraoba Thabal 2023 - Kumhei.com". Kumhei. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Sajibu Cheiraoba at Bangalore :: April 04 2011". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Cheiraoba sports by Manipuri at Manipuri Basti, Guwahati :: April 14 2015". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  10. ^ "True to the roots". The Times of India. 15 April 2013. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Sajibu Cheiraoba celebration at AAI, Community Centre, Kolkata :: April 14 2018". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Cheiraoba 2015 event at Mumbai by Mumbai Manipur Association :: April 19 2015". Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Pune: AMAND Ladies Club Organizes Shajibu Cheiraoba Festival". 17 April 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Shajibu Cheiraoba celebrated at Pune". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  15. ^ "AMAND Ladies Club Sajibu Cheiraoba 2017 – AMAND Pune". 19 May 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  16. ^ "Sajibu Cheiraoba".
  17. ^ "A Brief history of the Meiteis of Manipur".