Hiyang hiren ( Meitei: ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯍꯤꯔꯦꯟ, lit. 'large race boat') is a traditional royal race boat, used at the Hiyang Tannaba ceremony in the religious festival of Lai Haraoba. [1] [2] The boat is regarded as invested with spiritual powers and is associated with religious rites. [3] The Meitei people believe that the worship of the boat will bring protection from the evils. [3] The Hiyangloi Hanchapa is responsible for making the Hiyang Hiren, which is decorated with the stern (hirubak) the head of the Sangai deer. [1] The boat is around 54 feet long, and its racing ceremony is held annually for two days. [4]
Hiyang hiren ( Meitei: ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯍꯤꯔꯦꯟ, lit. 'large race boat') is a traditional royal race boat, used at the Hiyang Tannaba ceremony in the religious festival of Lai Haraoba. [1] [2] The boat is regarded as invested with spiritual powers and is associated with religious rites. [3] The Meitei people believe that the worship of the boat will bring protection from the evils. [3] The Hiyangloi Hanchapa is responsible for making the Hiyang Hiren, which is decorated with the stern (hirubak) the head of the Sangai deer. [1] The boat is around 54 feet long, and its racing ceremony is held annually for two days. [4]