Why in News?  

The Shirui Lily Festival is held in sites in Ukhrul town and Shirui village in Ukhrul district, where the Tangkhul Naga community is in the majority.  

 Shirui Lily Festival  

• An annual cultural event in Manipur celebrating the rare and endangered Shirui Lily found only in the Shirui Hills, Ukhrul district.  
• Organized by the Department of Tourism, Manipur, the festival promotes cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, and ecological conservation.  

Background  

• Shirui Lily is a delicate pinkish-white flower growing at 8,500 ft in Shirui Hills.  
• Discovered in 1946 by British botanist Frank Kingdon Ward’s wife, Jean Macklin.  
• Gained global recognition at the 1950 London Flower Show.  

                              Shirui Lily  

Events in 2025  

• Traditional Tangkhul Naga dances, folk songs and tribal games.  
• Modern events like SHIROCK music fest, trekking, camping, biking and Shirui Lily Grand Prix.  
• Cultural activities: Literature Festival, Miss Shirui Lily pageant, drone shows, cooking competition and weaving exhibitions.