Shirui Lily festival: A five-day celebration of culture, nature and adventure in Manipur's Ukhrul

After a two-year break, the Manipur Department of Tourism will host the 5th State-Level Shirui Lily Festival from May 20th to 24th, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Manipur’s iconic state flower. The event also aims to raise awareness about the endangered Shirui Lily, a unique plant found only in the Shirui Hills of Manipur.The festival will take place at several locations, including Shirui Village (where the opening ceremony will be held), TNL Ground, Phangrei, and Bakshi Ground, with a grand closing ceremony on May 24th.This celebration offers a platform for various communities and tribes to unite, explore the breathtaking landscapes of Ukhrul, and learn about the indigenous Tangkhul Naga tribe. Ukhrul, Manipur’s highest hill station, is located about 83 kilometers east of Imphal and is predominantly inhabited by the Tangkhul Nagas, one of the region's oldest and most vibrant tribes.About the festival The Shirui Lily Festival celebrates the delicate and endangered Lilium Mackliniae, which blooms exclusively in the Shirui Hills — a region that cannot support replanting elsewhere. The festival takes place during the peak blooming season of the flower, underscoring its ecological importance.This year’s five-day celebration will feature a wide range of activities, including traditional cultural performances, live music, folk dances and indigenous games such as the Shirui Lily Grand Prix. There will also be art and craft exhibitions and local ethnic cuisine on display.Adventure seekers can enjoy camping and biking activities, while the SHiROCK music festival will offer performances ranging from rock and metal to pop, hip hop, and electronic music.Other highlights include the Shirui Lily Literature Festival, a Trash Collection Marathon, the SheChef cooking competition, a drone light show, traditional weaving and textile exhibitions, and the Miss Shirui Lily pageant.Shirui Lily – The iconic state flower of Manipur The Shirui Lily is a rare and captivating pinkish-white flower found only in the Shirui Hill range in Ukhrul district, about 83 kilometers from Imphal. Named after Jean Macklin, the wife of botanist Dr Frank Kingdon Ward, who first discovered the flower in 1946, the Shirui Lily gained worldwide recognition when it was awarded a prestigious merit by the Royal Horticultural Society at its London Flower Show in 1950.Reaching a height of about a foot, the lily’s bell-shaped flowers create a breathtaking display during its flowering season, which runs from April to June. The hills of Shirui, covered with these vibrant lilies, offer stunning panoramic views, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers.How to get there For visitors, public transport services have been arranged for smooth travel during the festival. Buses from Imphal to Ukhrul will run daily at 7:30 am, 8:00 am, and 8:15 am. Return trips from Ukhrul to Imphal will be available at 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm, and 2:30 pm. Additionally, a helicopter service between Imphal and Ukhrul will operate once a day throughout the festival, offering a quicker travel option for attendees.