Cheiraoba is the New Year's Day for Meetei and is observed every year on Sajibu nongma panba (mostly in the month of April). During this occasion, Meetei houses are renovated and white washed to mark the New Year's Day. The householders offer fresh vegetables, fresh fish and cook vegetarian food to offer to gods and goddesses. In the afternoon, young boys and girls climb a small hillock called "Cheiraoching" to pay floral tribute to the statue of meetei freedom fighter. On the day of meetei new year/cheiraoba, each and every family prepared many special curry/items and after offering to the gods and goddesses, the items are exchange with our relatives which is called as Mathel Lanba. It is believed that on the day of new year everybody should be healthy so that the whole year will be healthy i.e. why it is must to climb the nearest hill to digest whatever the items/curry taken on that day. Again prior to the day of cheiraoba/meitei new year, there is a custom that a married women should present a gift to her father and her brothers
