The correct answer is: c) Heikru Hidongba.
Heikru Hidongba is a sacred festival of Manipur associated with ritual dances, processions, and boat races. It is celebrated every year in the month of April to commemorate the return of the sacred sword of the Meitei people, the Heikru, from the Naga Hills. The festival is a time for thanksgiving and prayers for peace and prosperity.
The festival begins with a ritual bath in the Imphal River. The people then gather at the Kangla Fort, the former royal palace of Manipur, to offer prayers and sacrifices to the gods. The highlight of the festival is the boat race, which is held on the Imphal River. The boat race is a competition between different villages and is a time for celebration and festivity.
The other options are:
- a) Cheiraoba is the Manipuri New Year. It is a time for family reunions and feasting.
- b) Ningol Chakouba is a festival of love and friendship. It is a time for women to visit their parents’ homes and receive gifts from their husbands.
- d) Yaoshang is a spring festival. It is a time for people to enjoy the beauty of nature and to pray for good health and prosperity.