Hiyang hiren

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Hiyang hiren (Meitei: ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯍꯤꯔꯦꯟ, lit.'large race boat') is a traditional royal race boat, used at the Hiyang Tannaba ceremony in the religious festival of Lai Haraoba.[1][2] The boat is regarded as invested with spiritual powers and is associated with religious rites.[3] The Meitei people believe that the worship of the boat will bring protection from the evils.[3] The Hiyangloi Hanchapa is responsible for making the Hiyang Hiren, which is decorated with the stern (hirubak) the head of the Sangai deer.[1] The boat is around 54 feet long, and its racing ceremony is held annually for two days.[4]

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