Sangai Festival 2026: Dates, Venues and Highlights in Manipur
The Sangai Festival is Manipur’s biggest tourism festival, held for ten days from 21 to 30 November each year, with its main venue in Imphal. It showcases Manipuri dance, indigenous sports such as polo, handloom, food and crafts. The festival takes its name from the sangai, the rare brow-antlered deer that is Manipur’s state animal.
The festival began in 2010 and took its present name in 2011. It was not held in 2023 or 2024 after ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023. It returned on a smaller scale in November 2025. For 2026, the state government has begun preparations, and national tourism listings show 21 to 30 November again.
Key takeaways
- The Sangai Festival usually runs from 21 to 30 November, with Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal as the main venue.
- It started in 2010 as the Manipur Tourism Festival and became the Sangai Festival in 2011.
- The 2023 and 2024 editions did not take place; the festival returned from 21 to 30 November 2025.
- Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh reviewed preparations for the 2026 edition in September 2026.
- Indian visitors from other states need a Manipur Inner Line Permit before entering the state.
Sangai Festival at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| State | Manipur |
| Usual dates | 21 to 30 November |
| Expected 2026 dates | 21 to 30 November 2026 (confirm the official programme) |
| Main venue | Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal East |
| Other past venues | Khuman Lampak, Moirang Khunou, Keibul Lamjao, Mao, Ukhrul and more |
| Organiser | Government of Manipur, led by the Department of Tourism |
| First held | 2010, as the Manipur Tourism Festival |
| Named after | The sangai, Manipur’s state animal |
| Nearest airport | Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal |
| Permit for Indians | Manipur ILP |
What the Sangai Festival celebrates
The Sangai Festival presents Manipur’s cultures on one stage. The Meitei communities of the valley and the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities of the hills have their own dances, dress and food. Therefore, the programme usually mixes classical and folk performances with crafts and sport.
The festival also promotes tourism. Manipur uses it to showcase Loktak Lake, handloom weaving, local cuisine and adventure activities. Furthermore, government departments and private sellers set up stalls to market local products.
Why it is named after the sangai deer
The sangai is a brow-antlered deer, sometimes called the dancing deer of Manipur. It moves with a delicate, high-stepping gait across floating vegetation. In addition, it is the state animal of Manipur and an endangered species.
The deer survives in the wild only in Keibul Lamjao National Park, on the southern part of Loktak Lake. The park covers about 40 sq km and sits on phumdis, which are floating mats of vegetation and soil. It is often described as the world’s only floating wildlife reserve.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common name | Sangai, brow-antlered deer |
| Scientific name | Rucervus eldii eldii |
| Only wild habitat | Keibul Lamjao National Park, Bishnupur district |
| Park area | About 40 sq km |
| Distance from Imphal | Roughly 50 to 55 km |
| 2026 census count | 172 sangai, according to a state Forest Department report |
The 2026 census, released in July 2026, counted 172 sangai and 375 hog deer in the park. As a result, the report warned that the single wild population remains vulnerable. The Sangai Festival name is meant to keep the deer and its habitat in public view.
Sangai Festival history and recent editions
The state launched the event in 2010 as the Manipur Tourism Festival. A year later, it became the Sangai Festival. It then ran every November until 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the 2020 and 2021 editions.
| Year | Status | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Held | Launched as the Manipur Tourism Festival |
| 2011 | Held | Renamed the Sangai Festival |
| 2012 to 2019 | Held | Annual editions across several venues |
| 2020 and 2021 | Not held | Suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2022 | Held | 11th edition, 21 to 30 November, about 14 venues |
| 2023 and 2024 | Not held | Suspended after violence began in May 2023 |
| 2025 | Held | 21 to 30 November, smaller scale, main venue in Imphal |
| 2026 | In preparation | Organising committee met in September 2026 |
The 2022 edition
The 2022 festival ran from 21 to 30 November under the theme “Festival of Oneness”. It used around 14 venues across several districts, including Hapta Kangjeibung and Moirang Khunou. Additionally, it featured an international polo tournament and a Sangai marathon. Media reports later put the total footfall at about 2.19 lakh.
The pause in 2023 and 2024
Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023. Reports say it killed nearly 300 people and displaced tens of thousands. Consequently, the state did not hold the Sangai Festival in 2023 or 2024.
The 2025 edition
The Sangai Festival returned on 21 November 2025, when Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla inaugurated it in Imphal. Manipur was under President’s Rule at the time. Hapta Kangjeibung served as the main venue, while Khuman Lampak stadium hosted a concert by the British band Blue.
Several civil society groups and displaced families called for a boycott. They wanted the government to prioritise rehabilitation and safe movement on highways. Meanwhile, the government set aside some stalls for displaced people. Media reports described low turnout, with one estimate of about 8,000 to 9,000 visitors.
Sangai Festival 2026: what is confirmed
President’s Rule in Manipur ended on 4 February 2026. On the same day, Yumnam Khemchand Singh took oath as Chief Minister. In September 2026, he chaired an organising committee meeting that reviewed arrangements for the Sangai Festival 2026.
Incredible India, the national tourism portal, lists the 2026 festival for 21 to 30 November. However, the state has not yet published a detailed venue list or daily programme. Therefore, treat the dates as expected rather than final.
Check Manipur Tourism’s official channels and local news for the final 2026 schedule, venues and any travel advisories before you book flights.
Main venues of the Sangai Festival
Over the years, the festival has spread across several districts. The main hub usually sits in Imphal, while satellite events have taken place near Loktak and in hill districts.
| Venue | District | What usually happens there |
|---|---|---|
| Hapta Kangjeibung | Imphal East | Main stage, stalls, food court and cultural shows |
| Khuman Lampak Main Stadium | Imphal East | Concerts and sports events |
| Mapal Kangjeibung | Imphal West | Polo matches |
| Moirang Khunou and Loktak area | Bishnupur | Lake activities and local culture |
| Keibul Lamjao National Park | Bishnupur | Nature and sangai-viewing trips |
| Mao and Makhel | Senapati | Naga cultural programmes |
| Ukhrul | Ukhrul | Hill culture and tourism events |
The 2025 edition used fewer venues than 2022. Similarly, the 2026 list may change with local conditions. Confirm each venue before you travel to a district outside Imphal.
Highlights and events to watch
A full Sangai Festival programme usually covers performing arts, sport, crafts and food. The exact mix changes each year.
- Classical dance: Manipuri Ras Leela is often the headline performance.
- Folk dances: hill and valley communities present traditional group dances, including Kabui Naga dances.
- Martial arts: Thang-Ta, the spear and sword art, draws crowds.
- Indigenous sports: Sagol Kangjei (Manipuri polo), Yubi Lakpi and Mukna wrestling feature often.
- Handloom and crafts: stalls sell phanek, shawls, pottery and cane work.
- Food courts: visitors can try eromba, singju and chak-hao kheer, made with Manipur’s black rice.
- Concerts and fashion shows: evening events often bring national and international acts.
Polo at the Sangai Festival
Manipur is widely credited as a birthplace of modern polo. Consequently, polo is a regular draw, and past editions have hosted international tournaments. Matches often use Manipuri ponies and traditional rules in exhibition games.
Lai Haraoba and Maibi dances
Lai Haraoba is a ritual festival of the Meitei people, and Maibi priestesses perform its dances. Festival stages often present short forms of these rituals. In contrast, Ras Leela performances follow the classical Vaishnav tradition.
How to reach the Sangai Festival
Imphal is the base for almost every visitor. Most people fly in, since the road and rail options take much longer.
| Mode | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal | About 7 to 8 km from the city centre; flights from Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi and others |
| Rail | Dimapur (Nagaland) or Guwahati, then road | No passenger trains to Imphal yet |
| Road from Dimapur | NH2 via Kohima | Roughly 200 km; buses and shared taxis |
| Road from Silchar | NH37 via Jiribam | Long hill route; check conditions |
If you travel via Dimapur or Kohima, you also need a Nagaland permit. Our Nagaland ILP guide explains the ₹200 fee and 30-day validity. Road conditions on Manipur’s highways can change quickly, so ask your hotel for current advice.
Manipur ILP for Sangai Festival visitors
Indian citizens from outside Manipur need a Manipur Inner Line Permit. The state issues a temporary permit through its official online portal. The permit is generally valid for up to 30 days, and applicants need a government photo ID.
- Apply on the official Manipur ILP portal before you travel.
- Keep a printed and a digital copy of the permit.
- Carry the same photo ID you used in the application.
- Pay the nominal fee shown on the portal.
- Check the rules for extension if you plan a longer trip.
Foreign nationals do not need an ILP. However, Manipur has been under the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime since December 2024. Foreigners therefore need a PAP, usually arranged through a registered tour operator. For a comparison of permit rules across the region, read our inner line permit guide.
Tickets, stays and costs
Entry arrangements for the Sangai Festival vary between editions and venues. The national tourism portal notes that tickets apply, and concerts may be priced separately. Therefore, check the official programme for 2026 ticket details.
| Item | What to expect | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Venue entry | Ticketed at some venues; rules vary by edition | Confirm on official channels |
| Hotels in Imphal | Budget to mid-range options near Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar | Book early for late November |
| Local transport | Autos, taxis and hired cars | Agree fares before you set off |
| Food stalls | Mostly inexpensive local dishes | Carry cash for small vendors |
| Day trip to Loktak | Hired car for the day | Leave early to return before dark |
Best time and travel tips for the Sangai Festival
Late November is one of the best times to visit Manipur. The monsoon has ended, days are mild and nights are cool. Furthermore, the season lines up with Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, which runs from 1 to 10 December at Kisama. Many travellers combine both, so read our Hornbill Festival guide too.
- Pack warm layers: Imphal nights in late November can get chilly.
- Plan around curfews and advisories: local conditions can change, so follow official notices.
- Respect performers: ask before close-up photography, especially at ritual performances.
- Carry ID at all times: security checks are common on highways and at venues.
- Book flights early: seats into Imphal fill up during festival weeks.
For the wider seasonal picture, see our guide on the best time to visit Northeast India. Meghalaya’s Garo Hills also celebrate the Wangala festival in November.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sangai Festival held every year?
The festival usually runs for ten days, from 21 to 30 November. That timing covered most editions from 2010 to 2022 and the 2025 edition. For 2026, the national tourism portal lists 21 to 30 November again. However, the state should confirm the final programme, so check official Manipur Tourism channels before booking.
Was the festival held in 2023 and 2024?
No. Manipur did not hold the Sangai Festival in 2023 or 2024 after ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. The festival returned on 21 November 2025 on a smaller scale. Some groups protested against the 2025 edition, calling for rehabilitation of displaced people to come first. Turnout was lower than in 2022.
Why is the festival named after a deer?
The sangai is Manipur’s state animal, a rare brow-antlered deer. It survives in the wild only in Keibul Lamjao National Park on Loktak Lake. The state renamed its tourism festival after the deer in 2011 to highlight it. A 2026 state census counted 172 sangai in the park.
Where is the main venue in Imphal?
Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East has served as the main venue in recent editions, including 2025. It hosts the main stage, stalls and food courts. Past editions have also used Khuman Lampak stadium, Mapal Kangjeibung, Moirang and hill venues such as Mao and Ukhrul. Venue lists change each year.
Do I need a permit to attend in Manipur?
Yes, if you are an Indian citizen from another state. You need a Manipur Inner Line Permit, which you can apply for on the official state portal. The temporary permit is generally valid for up to 30 days. If you travel through Nagaland, you also need a Nagaland ILP.
Can I see a sangai deer during the festival?
Possibly. Keibul Lamjao National Park lies roughly 50 to 55 km from Imphal. Visitors can view the park from watchtowers, and sightings are more likely early in the morning. However, the deer is shy and few in number, so a sighting is never guaranteed. Check park access rules locally.
Is there an entry fee for the festival?
Entry arrangements change between editions and venues. The national tourism portal notes that tickets apply, and concerts or special events may use separate tickets. The state has not yet announced 2026 prices. Therefore, check the official 2026 programme and local announcements for current prices before you go.
Plan a Sangai Festival visit with care
The Sangai Festival offers a compact view of Manipur’s dance, sport, crafts and food over ten days in late November. The 2026 edition is in preparation, but confirm dates, venues and advisories before you travel. Secure your ILP early and add a Loktak day trip if conditions allow. To see how Manipur fits into the region, read about the Seven Sisters of India.
Discover more festival guides in Festivals & Culture or visit the Frontier News homepage.
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