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Manipur Sangai Festival: ten days of Manipur's arts in Imphal
Courtyard theatre, sword-and-spear arts and hill dances on the same stages
The Manipur Sangai Festival is the state's own showcase, run by Manipur Tourism in Imphal on ten days from 21 to 30 November: theatre, classical and folk dance, martial arts, indigenous sports, handloom and food. Next dates: 21–30 November 2026. Before planning a trip, note that the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur, including the capital, Imphal, because of ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023. The festival has not been held in every year since then, so confirm each edition before booking.
The dates are fixed; the organising committee chaired by the Chief Minister reviews the preparations in September, and the programme goes up on the Manipur Tourism website in November.
The legend
It used to be simply the Tourism Festival. Since 2010 it has carried the name of the sangai, the brow-antlered deer that is Manipur's state animal.
The sangai, the dancing deer of Manipur, lives only at Keibul Lamjao on Loktak lake, the world's only floating national park.
For ten days the state shows its arts, handloom and crafts, indigenous sports, food and music.
Customs
Shumang Leela
Manipur's courtyard theatre, played in the round without a stage, with men taking the women's parts.
Thang-ta and mukna
Displays of thang-ta, the martial art of sword and spear, and mukna, Manipuri wrestling.
Evening dances
In the evenings the stages hold Manipuri Raas Leela, scenes from Lai Haraoba, Sankirtana and troupes from the hill districts.
Where to celebrate
Imphal
In the years the state holds it, Manipur spends 21–30 November putting its theatre, martial arts, dances and crafts on Imphal's festival grounds, opening at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre.
Official travel advice and permits
FCDO advice. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur, including the capital, Imphal. It says curfews and restrictions continue in parts of Manipur following ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023, that there may be transport disruptions and suspension of internet services at short notice in some parts of the state, and that some insurgent groups are active in north-east India, including Manipur. If you do travel, the FCDO advises avoiding protests and large gatherings, following the advice of local authorities and your travel company, monitoring local media and following any curfew. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Check the current advice on gov.uk before you book, and again before you go.
Permits for foreign nationals. The FCDO says special permits are required to visit parts of India designated as restricted or protected areas, that permit regulations can change at any time, and that you need to apply three months before arrival. Ask the Indian High Commission, embassy or consulate, or India's Ministry of Home Affairs, whether Manipur currently needs a Protected Area Permit before you book anything non-refundable.
Permits for Indian nationals. Visitors from other states need an Inner Line Permit. A 30-day temporary permit is issued online at manipurilponline.mn.gov.in or at self-service ILP kiosks at Imphal airport; online applications usually take from a few minutes to a few hours, longer if documents need extra checks.
Check the festival is on. Preparations for each edition are reviewed in the autumn by the state's organising committee, chaired by the Chief Minister, and the programme is published on the Manipur Tourism website in November.
What the festival shows
For ten days the state gathers its arts, handloom and crafts, indigenous sports, food and music onto a few sets of grounds in and around Imphal. The main ones are Hapta Kangjeibung, with its stalls of food, handloom and crafts, and the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) in the Palace Compound, where the festival opens and the evening stage programmes run.
Dance. Manipuri Raas Leela, the state's classical dance, shares the stages with scenes from Lai Haraoba and with folk dances such as Kabui Naga, Bamboo, Maibi and Khamba Thoibi, alongside Sankirtana and troupes from the hill districts.
Theatre. Shumang Leela, Manipur's courtyard theatre, is played in the round without a stage, with men taking the women's parts.
Martial arts and sports. Thang-ta, the martial art of sword and spear; mukna, Manipuri wrestling; and indigenous games including Yubi Lakpi and Sagol Kangjei, the Manipuri form of polo.
Food. Among the Manipuri dishes the festival showcases are nga-thongba (fish curry), eromba, ooti, paknam and singju.
Entry to the festival grounds is ticketed.
Why it is called Sangai
The festival used to be called simply the Tourism Festival. Since 2010 it has carried the name of the sangai, the brow-antlered deer that is Manipur's state animal, often called the dancing deer of Manipur.
Its last natural habitat is Keibul Lamjao National Park on Loktak Lake, south of Imphal, described as the only floating national park in the world. Much of the park is made of phumdi, floating mats of decomposed plant matter and soil. During the festival, Loktak and Keibul Lamjao, about 50 km from Imphal, serve as outlying venues, with water sports at Takmu.
Getting to Imphal
Only after checking the FCDO advice, permits and that the festival is confirmed.
- Fly in
Imphal is reached by air; Imphal International Airport (IMF) is the city's airport. The railway stops at Jiribam, about 220 km away.
- Book with flexibility
Festival week is the busiest of the year for Imphal's hotels. Book flights together with the room, and prefer refundable options while permits and the programme are not yet confirmed.
FAQ
In which state is the Sangai Festival celebrated?
In Manipur, in north-east India. It is held mainly in the capital, Imphal, with outlying venues such as Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao.
When is the Sangai Festival?
It is held annually from 21 to 30 November; next: 21–30 November 2026. It has not been held every year, so confirm each edition with Manipur Tourism.
Is it safe to travel to Manipur for the Sangai Festival?
The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Manipur, including Imphal, because of ongoing ethnic violence since May 2023, and travel against that advice can invalidate insurance. Check the current advice before planning.
Do foreigners need a permit for Manipur?
Check before you plan. The FCDO says special permits are needed for India's restricted and protected areas, the rules can change at any time, and applications should go in three months before arrival; ask an Indian mission or the Ministry of Home Affairs whether Manipur currently requires a Protected Area Permit. Indian nationals from other states need an Inner Line Permit.
Which state is known for the sangai deer?
Manipur. The sangai, a brow-antlered deer, is the state animal and has its last natural habitat in Keibul Lamjao National Park on Loktak Lake.
Sources (8)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.