Hiyang Hiren ( mni, ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯍꯤꯔꯦꯟ) (literally, ''"large race boat"'') is a traditional royal race boat, used at the

Hiyang Tannaba Hiyang Tannaba ( mni, , , boat race) is a traditional boat race ceremony performed in Manipur, India as a part of the religious festival of Lai Haraoba. It is generally organized in the month of November at many places including Thangapat (moat). ...

ceremony in the religious festival of

Lai Haraoba Lai Haraoba is a festival associated with the Meitei people celebrated to please the Umang Lai, the traditional Deity, deities of Sanamahism. Translated, Lai Haraoba means ''merry making of the Gods'' in Meitei language, Meiteilon. In this festi ...

. The boat is regarded as invested with spiritual powers and is associated with religious rites. The

Meitei people The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...

believe that the worship of the boat will bring protection from the evils. The Hiyangloi Hanchapa is responsible for making the Hiyang Hiren, which is decorated with the stern (hirubak) the head of the

Sangai The sangai ( Meitei pronunciation: /sə.ŋai/) is an endemic and endangered subspecies of Eld's deer found only in Manipur, India. It is also the state animal of Manipur. Its common English name is Manipur brow-antlered deer or Eld's deer and the ...

deer. The boat is around 54 feet long, and its racing ceremony is held annually for two days.

References

Festivals in Manipur Boat races in India {{India-festival-stub