The 4th edition of Shingcha Wuyawon Festival 2022 will kick-start from July 15 and will continue till July 21. The main events will be held on July 19.
TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
Preparation is on full swing for the 4th edition of Shingcha Wuyawon Festival 2022 that will kick-start from July 15 and will wind up on July 21, 2022.
The Wuyawon flowers bloom at Mount Wuya Kachui, Shingcha. This flower commonly known as ‘Pink Orchid Ginger’ blooms in abundance during the month of July and lasts till the first week of August. The flower belongs to Zingiberaceae family and its botanical name is called ‘Caulokaempferia secunda.’
The fog enveloping the expansive peak gives one a feeling of mystery. Shingcha village is 95 km away from Imphal and 47 km from Ukhrul Headquarters towards Kamjong.
The pale pink flower turns deep pink when it rains. One of its interesting features is that it always turns towards the east in its bloom. The hill is enveloped by fog most of the time and only the lucky ones get to see the flower blooming under the sun when the clouds open up for a short while. One have to wait for the cloud to disappear to take a perfect shot of the flower or to get the perfect view of the surroundings. The clouds at Mount Wuyakachui always love to play hide and seek.
According to the story of Shingcha, Maphat was a brave warrior who beheaded many people during wars. The brave legend is believed to have lived in the early 19th century, in the days where heads were taken as war trophies. He preferred to venture alone in his mission. In one of such mission, he had to halt for a night on his way home at the peak as it was already very late. He was tired after the long journey carrying his war trophies. He could not get a wink of sleep. However, he stayed because he was too worn out and from there on the peak came to be known as ‘Wuya’ which means restless due to nightmare and ‘Kachui’ means peak. The peak came to be known as Wuya Kachui after a lone warrior spent a restless night.
According to the legend of Shingcha, Maphat had taken many heads in many of his raids.
This year alone, a total of 10,500 people have visited Mount Wuya Kachui, the abode of Wuyawon” informed President of Shingcha Katamnao Long, Thotmung Zimik. Every visitors are registered at the main entry gate and a sum of Rs. 20 per person is charged for maintaining the Mount Wuya Kachui. Thotmung Zimik added that “70% of the visitors are from other districts of Manipur.”
Wuyawon has been blooming magnificently at Wuya Kachui and has attracted a lot of visitors including foreign tourist. The Villagers of Shingcha extend warm welcome to everyone in the forthcoming festival.