After a two-year hiatus, the much-anticipated Shirui Lily Festival is set to return in full bloom, with the Manipur Tourism Department announcing that comprehensive security arrangements will be in place to ensure the safe and successful conduct of the five-day event. Scheduled to be held from May 20 to May 24, 2025, the festival will take place in Shirui village of Ukhrul district, the native habitat of the rare and endangered Shirui Lily — the state flower of Manipur.
This will mark the fifth edition of the Shirui Lily Festival, with the Manipur government allocating ₹6.30 crore to support its organization. The announcement was accompanied by the official launch of the social media and publicity campaign for “Miss Shirui Lily 2025” — a beauty pageant that forms a key highlight of the festival. This year’s pageant will be held under the theme “Beauty for Humanity,” aiming to blend grace with social consciousness.
Speaking at the launch event held at Imphal’s Classic Grande Hotel, Tourism Director Puja Elangbam emphasized the government’s commitment to security. “Adequate security measures will be enforced along the Imphal-Ukhrul highway and in Ukhrul district, especially around festival venues,” she assured. She added that coordination efforts are already underway with the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Superintendents of Police from Imphal East, Imphal West, Kamjong, and Ukhrul districts.
“Security forces will be deployed strategically along the route and at key locations in Ukhrul to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for visitors from across the state, country, and even abroad,” she said.
The festival had been put on hold for the past two years due to the ongoing unrest in Manipur, making its return all the more significant. Officials emphasized that this year’s edition will not only celebrate the unique biodiversity of the region but also act as a platform to promote sustainable tourism, showcase tribal heritage, and raise awareness about the conservation of the Shirui Lily.
The Shirui Lily Festival is an annual cultural celebration that coincides with the blooming season of the endangered lily, typically observed in late May or early June. Over the years, it has grown into a vibrant cultural event featuring music, dance, traditional games, indigenous crafts, and eco-tourism initiatives.
The executive committee overseeing the festival, alongside tourism officials and local leaders, is working round-the-clock to ensure that the 2025 edition is not just a celebration of flora and culture, but also a beacon of hope and unity after a prolonged period of crisis.
