Sangai Festival

A grand state showcase named after the endemic brow-antlered deer, celebrating Manipur's arts, food, and martial arts.

The festival raises awareness for the endangered Sangai - Manipur's 'dancing deer' - and brings out the state as a travel destination.

Grand cultural shows present Manipuri Raas Leela, Thang-Ta martial arts and tribal dances, with floating stages on Loktak Lake and traditional Manipuri dishes such as eromba on offer.

As a tourism festival, it opens with a flag hoisting by the state leadership, and all of Manipur's tribal groups build traditional huts showcasing their heritage.

The Sangai deer is deeply woven into Manipuri life and folklore, and the festival is seen as heralding a new era of unity and prosperity for the state.

It began in 2010 as a tourism festival and was later expanded and renamed the Sangai Festival to raise the state's profile on the world stage.

Manipur's state festival, ten days from the twenty-first of November, named after the sangai deer that lives on Loktak's floating meadows. Thang-Ta martial arts with sword and spear, indigenous games and food stalls, spread across Imphal and lakeside venues. The easiest way to see a lot of Manipur in one week.