Context:

• The Shirui Lily Festival 2025 was organized from 20 to 24 May 2025 at Shirui village in Ukhrul district, Manipur.

Organizers and Purpose:

• Theme 2025: "Beauty for Humanity"
• The festival was organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur.
• The main objective was to raise awareness about the conservation of the rare and endangered Shirui Lily plant.
• The 2025 edition also marked the 75th anniversary of Shirui Lily as the State Flower of Manipur.

Objectives of the Festival:

• To promote the ecological and cultural importance of Shirui Lily.
• To preserve and showcase the cultural heritage of local communities and indigenous tribes.
• To promote eco-tourism and environmental awareness.

Major Attractions:

• Exhibition of Shirui Lily flowers
• Traditional dance and music of the Tangkhul Naga community
• Handloom and handicraft exhibitions
• Local cuisine tasting
• ShiRock: A rock music festival with participation of bands from across India
• ShiChef: A cooking competition
• Mini-marathon, wrestling matches, and music performances

Shirui Lily – Key Facts:

• Scientific Name: Lilium mackliniae
• Local Name: Shirui Kashong
• State Flower of Manipur
• A rare pinkish-white flower found only in the Shirui Hills of Ukhrul district
• Discovered in 1946 by Dr. Frank Kingdon Ward (named after his wife Jean Macklin)
• Received the Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1948
• Blooming season: April to June

Conservation Status:

• Listed as "Endangered" in the IUCN Red List
• Threatened due to climate change, human interference, and illegal plucking
• The Shirui Lily Festival was first celebrated in 2017

Manipur – General Information

• Nicknames: "The Jewel of India", "Golden Land" (Sana Leibak)
• Statehood: 21 January 1972
• Capital: Imphal
• Language: Meitei (Manipuri), included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution
• Major Lake: Loktak Lake (largest freshwater lake in northeast India, known for floating islands or phumdis)
• Major Tribes: Meitei, Naga (Tangkhul, Kabui), Kuki, and others
• State Animal: Sangai Deer (Brow-antlered deer, endemic to Manipur)
• Geography: About 90% hilly area and some valley regions, especially the Imphal Valley
• Major Rivers: Barak, Manipur, Imphal
• Unique Feature: Keibul Lamjao National Park (the only floating national park in the world)

Dance and Music:

• Ras Leela: A classical dance based on the devotion to Lord Krishna
• Pung Cholom, Thang-Ta: Martial art-based traditional dance forms

Major Festivals:

• Yaoshang: Local form of Holi
• Lai Haraoba: A religious-cultural festival of the Meitei community
• Shirui Lily Festival: Held in Ukhrul to promote Shirui Lily conservation and local tourism