Sajibu Cheiraoba
"Sajibu Cheiraoba" is the new year of the Meiteis[1] of Manipur. The Sajibu Cheiraoba is a traditional festival celebrated on the first day of Sajibu month (equivalent of April) every year.
It is observed on the first lunar day of the lunar month Sajibu (March/April) and so it is also popularly known as Sajibu Cheiraoba. In olden days, before precise time keeping, a King's horse-man announced the beginning of the new year with a stick on hand. And hence the name "Cheiraoba". People of Manipur clean and decorate their houses and make a sumptuous variety of dishes to feast upon after offering food to the deity on this day. After the feast, as a part of the rituals, people climb the "CHEIRAOCHING" located in Chingmeirong or the nearest hill tops; in the belief that it would elevate them to greater heights in their worldly life.
The 2016 date is April 8.[2]