Shirui Lily festival blooms again in Manipur after two-year hiatus: Flashback of highlights from past editions

After a two-year hiatus, the Shirui Lily Festival is back for its 5th edition in Ukhrul, Manipur, from May 20–24, 2025! The first state-level festival since the 2023 unrest, it returns with a bang, featuring traditional dances, electrifying rock concerts, adventure sports, indigenous crafts, and mouth-watering local cuisine. Declared a state festival in 2017, the Shirui Lily Festival returns with ₹6.3 crore in funding from the Department of Tourism to mark the flower’s 75th anniversary. (Image credit : Shirui Lily festival creative team)

The Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae), Manipur's state flower, is a rare species of lily found exclusively on Shirui Kashong peak in Manipur. Discovered in 1950 by botanist Dr. Frank Kingdon-Ward and named after his wife, Jean Macklin, it gained international recognition when it received a prestigious merit at the Royal Horticultural Society's London Flower Show. This endangered flower’s uniqueness lies in its ability to grow only in the region’s specific altitude and climate. (Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)

The festival features cultural performances, live music, folk dances, and the Shirui lily Grand Prix. In this thrilling race, participants race wooden carts down hilly terrain, relying purely on gravity. Wearing only a Raokha(loin cloth) and sometimes barefoot, racers take on the challenge with no protective gear. Inspired by traditional wooden carts, this high-speed event is a unique adrenaline-filled experience in Manipur. (Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Phangrei ridge, Jorcheng, in Ukhrul, Manipur, the MTB Downhill Championship is a recurring highlight of the Shirui Lily Festival. Featuring Hardtail and Full Suspension categories, riders tackle a rugged and Gnarly 1.6 km trail of natural obstacles. The latest edition, held in 2022, marked the 4th chapter of this growing sport, with a prize pool of ₹2.5 lakh and regional participation from across Northeast India. (Image credit: Kahorpam Horam)

In 2019, the Shirui Lily Festival introduced paragliding at Phangrei, marking a first for the state. This thrilling activity offered participants panoramic views of Ukhrul's lush landscapes and the rare Shirui Lily in full bloom. The festival, held from October 16 to 19, attracted over 30,000 visitors, showcasing a blend of adventure, culture, and nature. The success of this initiative has since positioned Ukhrul as a budding adventure tourism hub in Northeast India. (Image credit: Wren Raleng)

The ShiRock concert, a major highlight of the Shirui Lily Festival, has hosted iconic performances since its inception. In 2019, Nazareth took the stage at Bakshi Ground, Ukhrul, thrilling a crowd of 30,000 with classic hits. Over the years, ShiRock has seen legendary acts like Steelheart (2018), Queensrÿche (2018), and Monuments (2022), making it one of Northeast India’s premier rock events. The festival continues to attract top international talent, solidifying Ukhrul as a must-visit destination for music lovers. (Image credit: The Dialog Media)

In this evocative archival photograph, two Tangkhul women, draped in traditional Tangkhul shawls, pose beside blooming Shirui lilies, the state flower of Manipur. The image captures more than a moment; it reflects a deep bond between the people and their land, where culture, identity, and nature converge in harmony on the sacred slopes of Shirui Kashong. (Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)

Nestled at an altitude of around 5,700 feet above sea level, Shirui Village lies just 18 km east of Ukhrul town in Manipur. As the host of the annual Shirui Lily Festival, this serene mountain village is home to the rare state flower, the Shirui Lily, which blooms on the nearby Shirui Kashong peak. In 2021, the village witnessed a rare snowfall, briefly transforming its green slopes into a white wonderland. (Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)

Nestled in Jorcheng Phangrei, 21 km from Ukhrul, this campsite becomes the heart of the Shirui Lily Festival. Over 1,000 visitors set up camp amidst stunning views of Shirui Hills. As night falls, the site buzzes with live karaoke, barbecue stalls, and DJ performances. Organized by Chiko Adventures, the festival blends adventure sports, local cuisine, and cultural performances, offering an unforgettable experience for thrill-seekers and culture lovers.
(Image Credit:The Dialog Media)

Shirui Kashong Peak, at 2,835 meters (9,300 feet), is the highest point in the Shirui Hills and a highlight of the Shirui Lily Festival. Located 18 km from Ukhrul, the trek features deep forests, rocky climbs, and wildflower-covered ridges. The summit offers a panoramic view of Ukhrul and surrounding areas. Home to the rare Shirui Lily and the state bird, Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant (Nong-in), it’s a sanctuary of ecological and cultural significance.
(Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)

During the Shirui Lily Festival, the Shirui Lily Grand Prix thrills spectators with a traditional wooden cart race. Racers, dressed only in a Raokha, race down the hilly terrain barefoot, with no protective gear, relying solely on gravity. The event, held in the village center, sees the crowd cheering on both sides as participants navigate the rugged, beaten roads at exhilarating speeds, embodying the adrenaline and culture of Manipur. (Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)

The festival features the Tangkhul Naga folk dance. Young men and women perform in circles, dressed in traditional attire like Raokha (loincloth), Kashan (wraparound), Kongsang (bead necklaces), Huishon (bronze ornaments), and Mayong Pasi (headbands). Often seen during festivals like Luira, the dance symbolizes unity, fertility, and a deep bond with nature, offering a vibrant glimpse into Tangkhul tradition.

(Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)

Unveiled on October 16, 2019, during the 3rd State Level Shirui Lily Festival, the Statue of Unity, also known as Strength of Unity, stands at the foothills of Shirui Kashong Peak. Sculpted by renowned Tangkhul artist Sorei Keishing, the monument features seven men carrying a log, symbolizing the union of Shirui’s seven founding clans. Now a prominent landmark, the statue celebrates community, heritage, and the spirit that continues to draw visitors and trekkers to Shirui village.

(Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)

A sea of fans gathers at Bakshi Ground, Ukhrul, as international and local rock bands electrify the stage at ShiRock, the signature music event of the Shirui Lily Festival. With past headliners like Nazareth, Steelheart, and Monuments, ShiRock has become a major attraction in Northeast India. (Image credit: The Dialog Media)

‘The Miss Shirui Lily’ beauty pageant is a festival highlight, celebrating the grace, talent, and heritage of young women. This year, with the theme Beauty for Humanity, contestants compete in traditional attire, talent, and Q&A segments. More than a celebration of beauty, the event promotes cultural pride and awareness about the endangered Shirui lily, reflecting harmony between nature and tradition.
(Image credit: The Dialog Media)

Nestled along the high ridges of Jorcheng, in Phangrei, festivalgoers pitch tents under starlit skies during the Shirui Lily Festival. In this rare night time view, the soft glow of campfires and tents contrasts with the shimmering lights of Ukhrul town twinkling in the distant backdrop. By day, Jorcheng buzzes with treks and sports; by night, it becomes a serene hilltop escape, where nature, music, and quiet camaraderie meet under open skies.
(Image credit: kahorpam Horam)

The Pork Eating Competition is one of the quirkiest crowd-pullers at the Shirui Lily Festival. Participants race against the clock to devour plates of well-cooked, richly seasoned pork. Many adult attendees pair the feast with local rice beer, a traditional brew, a festival staple, the challenge is as much about appetite as it is about embracing Tangkhul culinary heritage. It’s a delicious, high-spirited nod to food, fun, and community tradition.
(Image credit: The Dialog Media)

In the aftermath of the Shirui Lily Festival 2022, volunteers and executives of the Shirui Youth Club organized a cleanliness drive at Shirui Peak, collecting plastic waste left behind by the influx of festival tourists. With their commitment to protecting the fragile ecosystem, SYC continues to play a vital role in preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of one of Manipur’s most treasured landscapes.

(Image credit: Chuimaran Shangh)