This festival is celebrated all across the State of Manipur, as it is the New Year according to the Manipuri tribes. It is celebrated in the month of April (it means the first day of the month Sajibu. The festival is also related to the domestic deity called Sanamahi worshipped by the Manipuri people. The festival is usually conducted in the temple of Sanamahi but every household cleans, buys new utensils and new clothes for the family members.
A peculiar tradition attached to the Cheiraoba festival is that on this day, people select a person to be the ‘Chahitaba’ who is responsible for the sins of the people for the entire year. He also bears responsibility for all the good and ill luck that comes to the community and his name is given to that particular year. The Maiba community selects him after consulting the horoscope. Another unique ritual attached to this festival is that most people climb on the nearest hill on this day as they believe it will help them reach greater heights in their worldly life.
