Mathel Lukoi (Assorted Dishes in feasts)

We all know that religious ceremonies for Hindus in Manipur are generally associated with feasts which consist of fish and vegetables or only vegetables. When there is no feast, some sweets and other eateries are offered.

Rice plate with varieties of vegetable dishes

Meramesh (curries prepared from vegetables with rice) is served on various ceremonies after being offered to God (Krishna/Vishnu). Such offering is known as Usob (utsav: observation). Elders, relatives, friends and locals are invited to have usobs.

Swasthi pujah, Churakaran, Lugun-thangba (Upanayan) , Shradha, Thagi Din (Monthly offering till one year completes) and Firoi (death anniversary) and Tarpan/ Tarpon ( a half month offering to the departed souls by descendents and relatives ) etc.
are some of the occasions where feast are being offered.

Fish and associated items

We have fish dishes on many occasions such as Mangani Chakouba ( A feast offered at bridal house on the 5th day of marriage), Dibos( feast offered at the night or the next day of shradha for those who take part in cremation and for the departed family), and many feasts on various festivals and occasions. Not only these, fish are many a times arranged for the invitees in swasthi pujah, churakaran, upanayan where Meramesh is separately prepared for some vegetarians and ritual offering.

We find  variety of dishes like dal, vegetable dishes, pickles, sweets, and other items of different tastes and values served on a plate with rice. This array of variety of dishes is called Mathel Lukoi. In a mathel lukoi, we normally find vegetarian items and fish dishes also.

There are few items which are common in both  Meramesh (veg) or Nga (non-veg, mainly fish) are: chumphut, eromba, hawai thongba, ooti, aachar, singzu (www.meitramsonia.blogspot.in), hei thongba etc.