Cheiraoba is the New Year festival of
Manipur. It is celebrated on the first day of the month Sajibu (March). Sanamahi, the domestic deity of the people of Manipur is worshipped on this day.
As the festival arrives, people start cleaning and decorating their houses and wear new dresses. Special dishes are prepared on the festival day. On this day the 'Chahitaba' is also selected. Chahitaba bears all the sins of the people for the whole year. Chahitaba is nominated by Maibas after comparing the horoscope. On this day, people climb the hill of ‘Cheiraching’, where a small shrine of
Shiva is placed.
