After a two-year pause brought on by ethnic unrest, the much-awaited Shirui Lily Festival makes its return in 2025 to the verdant hills of Ukhrul district, Manipur. The revival of this vibrant festival is more than just a celebration of a rare flower—it is a poignant symbol of ecological awareness, cultural pride, and cautious optimism for peace and unity in the region.

The Symbolic Bloom: Shirui Lily (Lilium mackliniae)

The Shirui Lily, or Kashong Timrawon as it is locally known, is a rare pinkish-white flower that blooms only on the upper reaches of the Shirui Hills, located at an altitude of 2,673 meters above sea level in the Ukhrul district of Manipur.

Discovered in 1946 by British botanist Frank Kingdon Ward, the flower was named Lilium mackliniae after his wife, Jean Macklin. In 1948, the flower received the prestigious Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society for its exceptional beauty and uniqueness.

According to local folklore, the Shirui Lily is associated with Philava, a mythical goddess of the Shirui Hills, and her daughter Timrawon, lending the flower deep cultural and spiritual significance among the Tangkhul Nagas of the region.

A Flower on the Brink

Despite its enchanting appearance and cultural reverence, the Shirui Lily faces an uncertain future. A 2015 research study by scientists from the ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region (Manipur Centre) painted a grim picture of the flower’s declining population.

Key threats include:

• Climate Change: Altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures have disrupted its blooming cycle.
• Human Encroachment: Expanding settlements and tourism have disturbed its fragile alpine ecosystem.
• Invasive Species: Wild dwarf bamboo with aggressive root systems has overrun much of its native habitat.

In response, conservation efforts led by Dr. Manas Sahoo involved the micropropagation of the lily in vitro, followed by the transplantation of 375 lab-grown plantlets on Shirui Hill. Encouragingly, these plantlets bloomed successfully, validating the potential of biotechnology in ecological restoration.

The Festival: More than Just a Celebration

First held in 2017, the Shirui Lily Festival has rapidly become one of Manipur’s most iconic cultural events, alongside the Sangai Festival. Organized by the Manipur Tourism Department, the event is held annually during the flower’s natural blooming season from April to June.

The festival serves multiple purposes:

• Promoting Ecotourism: Encouraging responsible travel to natural areas.
• Preserving Culture: Showcasing the rich traditions, music, and dances of the Tangkhul Naga community.
• Raising Awareness: Highlighting the urgent need to protect the endangered Shirui Lily and its fragile ecosystem.

Festivities typically include:

• Folk music and modern rock concerts (including the popular ShiRock music competition),
• Traditional attire showcases,
• Indigenous food stalls,
• Adventure sports and trekking.

2025: A Revival Amidst Fragile Peace

The return of the Shirui Lily Festival in 2025, after a hiatus caused by ethnic tensions, is both a cause for celebration and reflection. It marks a hopeful step towards peace, facilitating inter-community interaction and rebuilding trust among diverse groups in the region.

While the flower continues to face existential threats, the resilience of both the Shirui Lily and the people of Ukhrul sends a powerful message: preserving nature and culture goes hand-in-hand with healing a fractured society.