IMPHAL, Manipur: The Directorate of Tourism, Government of Manipur, is to launch the 4th edition of ‘Shirui Lily festival 2022’ in Shirui village between 25 to 28 May.
The Shirui festival will be held between May 25 to May 28, in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, which is the second-largest tourist event in the state, the Sangai festival being the first. The festival is organised by the department of tourism with Shri La Ganesan, Governor of Manipur in Shirui village.
The festival is aimed to raise awareness about ‘Shirui Lily’, an endangered species which is endemic to Kashang Hills in Shirui village, and to acknowledge the state’s effort to promote sustainable and responsible tourism. Additionally, the festival also celebrates the vast biodiversity and rich cultural heritage of the state and generates awareness among the visiting tourists about the Tangkhul Naga tribe of Ukhrul.
During the festival, ‘ShiRock’, a musical event, will also take place that will have live performances and competitions. This year, ‘Monuments’ a British progressive metal band will also perform on the final day of the event. In addition to that, live music and cultural shows, folk dances, folk songs, beauty pageants, exhibits, indigenous games and sports competitions will also take place.
TNL ground is another venue of the festival which will host exhibition football matches.
The Shirui Lily was first discovered by Dr Frank Kingdon Ward, a British Botanist from the New York Botanical Society, and he named it after his wife, Jean Macklin. It is also designated as ‘State Flower of Manipur.