Sanamahism
   HOME





Sanamahism
Sanamahism , also known as Meiteism , or Lainingthouism is an ethnic religion of the Meitei people of Manipur, in Northeast India. It is a polytheistic religion and is named after Lainingthou Sanamahi, one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith. Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Sidaba Mapu and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, the Maru Loishang, that oversees the main religious activities and governs all affairs of the religion, including the conduct of priest and priestess. The Maru Loishang also acts a court for religious disputes. There are three main departments under the Manu Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang, and the Amaibi Loishang. These departments have existed since the reign of King Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong of Manipur in 662 ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Manipur
Manipur () is a state in northeastern India with Imphal as its capital. It borders the Indian states of Assam to the west, Mizoram to the south, and Nagaland to the north and shares the international border with Myanmar, specifically the Sagaing Region to the east and Chin State to the southeast. Covering an area of 22,330 square kilometers (8,621 mi²), the state consists mostly of hilly terrain with the 1813-square-kilometre (700 mi²) Imphal Valley inhabited by the Meitei (Manipuri) community, historically a kingdom. Surrounding hills are home to Naga and Kuki-Zo communities, who speak Tibeto-Burman languages. The official language and lingua franca, Meitei (Manipuri), also belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family. During the days of the British Raj, Manipur was one of the princely states. Prior to the British departure in 1947, Manipur acceded to the Dominion of India, along with roughly 550 other princely states. In September 1949, the ruler of Manipur signed ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Leimarel Sidabi
Leimarel Sidabi or Leimalel Sitapi is a goddess in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. She is the highest female divinity in the Meitei pantheon. She is the goddess of earth, of nature and the household. She is revered as the mother of every living being in the universe. Presently, the market complex number 1 is named after her at the Ima Keithel (Mothers' market), the world's only market run exclusively by women. Description Leimarel is the eternal mother goddess. In ancient times, the ruling royal couples sat in the ''laplen ka'' (central room), facing the sacred place of Leimarel. It was believed that men and women originated from Leimarel's womb. A house symbolises the Mother in traditional Meitei cosmic beliefs. Mythology The supreme creator Atingkok asked his two sons, Sanamahi and Pakhangba to run in a race around the world. The winner would become the ruler of the world. Sanamahi was stronger than his younger brother, Pakhangba. He started his jour ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Meitei People
The Meitei people, also known as Meetei people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." are a Tibeto-Burman languages, Tibeto-Burman ethnic group native to the States and union territories of India, Indian State of Manipur. They form the largest and dominant ethnic group of Manipur in Northeast India. They speak the Meitei language (officially called Manipuri language, Manipuri), one of the 22 official languages of the Indian Republic, 22 official languages of the Republic of India and the sole official language of Government of Manipur. The Meiteis primarily settled in the Imphal Valley region in modern-day Manipur, though a sizeable population has settled in the other Indian states of Meitei people in Assam, Assam, Meitei people in Tripura, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. There is also a notable presence of Meiteis in t ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Imoinu Ahongbi
Imoinu or Emoinu () is a goddess associated with household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity in Meitei mythology and Sanamahism, religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). She is frequently associated with Leimarel Sidabi. She is regarded as one of the incarnations or representations of goddess Leimarel Sidabi. In Meitei mythology, Imoinu is known for her sense of humor. Generally, she is portrayed as "an old woman", as her name means "great grandmother" in Meitei language. The personality of Imoinu and other goddesses like Panthoibi and Phouoibi depict as well as influence the :en:wikt:boldness, boldness, courage, independence, :en:wikt:righteousness, righteousness and social honour of Meitei people, Meitei women. Etymology and nomenclature The meaning of the name "Emoinu Ahongbi" ("ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ ꯑꯍꯣꯡꯕꯤ") can be found by splitting it up word by word. Here, "E" ("ꯏ") refers to human being. "Moi" ("ꯃꯣꯢ" or " ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Ibudhou Marjing
Marjing () is the God of horses, polo, hockey, sports and war in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. The guardianship of the north eastern direction is alluded to Marjing and the other directions to Koupalu (north west), Thangching (south west) and Wangpulen (south east). According to the legend, he invented the game of polo ( Sagol Kangjei) and introduced it as the national game. He and his divine creature, Samadon Ayangba, reside in the top of the Heingang Ching (Marjing hills). Origin According to the Leithak Leikharol PuYa, God Marjing (mentioned as ''"Maraching"'') originated from the intestines of Atiya Sidaba. He was created to control Samadon Ayangba, the divine horse (). The horse was created from the foot of Ashiba (Sanamahi). Description God Marjing is one of the five gods who enter into the human body and position themselves as one of the souls. Marjing dwells in the heart of human body. The God is also associated with Sagol Kangjei (Polo), ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Lainingthou Koubru
Koupalu is a primordial deity in Sanamahism. He is the protector of the Meiteis, guardian of the North West direction and the founder of Meitei civilization. He lives on the summit of Mount Koubru. Description Koupalu (or Koubru) is a primordial deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. He is the omniscient and omnipotent guardian god of the Meiteis and the guardian of the north-west direction. According to legend, he is the progenitor of the civilization of Kangleipak, which he founded at Mount Koubru, near modern Imphal in north-western Manipur, where he resides. He is said to be the controller of nine underground wells or tunnels which are associated with the birth and death of mankind. The tunnels are considered sacred and are, themselves, worshipped by Meiteis. Worship The traditional hymns emphasise Koubru's role as the creator of Meitei civilisation. For example, this hymn of invocation: In the Lai Haraoba festival, a ritualistic folk song dedi ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


picture info

Eputhou Thangjing
Thangching or Thangjing is a primordial deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. He is the ruling deity of the Moirang dynasty. He rules supreme on the banks of the landlocked sea, Loktak lake. He is one of the four cardinal Umang Lais. The guardianship of the south western direction is attributed to Thangjing and the other directions to Koubru (north west), Marjing (north east) and Wangbren (south east). Two of his most prominent pantheons are the Thangching Temple and the Thangching Hill (Thangjing Peak). Origin Thangjing is a deity of pre-Hindu origin. The Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba mentioned that Moirang was the amalgamation of different groups of people with different traditional beliefs. During the reign of King Fang Fang Ponglenhanpa (52 BC- 28 AD), all the diversities were merged into one with God Thangjing as the central figure. When the cult of Thangjing was merged into the Umang Laism, the folk deities associated with God Thangjing began to ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  




Apokpa (deity Type)
An Apokpa or an Apokpi is an ancestral deity belonging to one particular clan or family, often prevailed in the Meitei religion (Sanamahism). Each of the seven clans and the families of the Meitei ethnicity worship their ancestors having separate pantheons dedicated to them. See also * Apokpa Marup The Apokpa Marup is a religious institution dedicated to the practice and propagation of Apokpa Laining, a traditional Meitei people, Meitei religious concept. Founded on April 13, 1930, by Laininghan Naoriya Phulo, Apokpa Marup has played a signi ... References {{reflist Sanamahism Meitei deities Meitei culture Veneration of the dead Pages with unreviewed translations ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Umang Lai
Umang Lai () refers to a group of ancient Meitei deities of the traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism) who are worshipped as the local guardians of particular areas, especially sacred groves. These deities are worshipped annually. Their Sacred groves of India, sacred groves are preserved by the Meitei people since ancient times, mostly in the Northeast Indian state of Manipur. Their pleasing ceremony is always celebrated every year through a music and dance festival, known as Lai Haraoba. There are more than 365 Umang Lai shrines in Manipur state alone. They are integral parts of Meitei mythology, Meitei folklore, folklore and Meitei religion, religion. The cults of these deities vary from community to community. Etymology "Umang" means "forest" and "Lai" means "deity" in Meitei language (also known as Manipuri language). List of deities Umang Lai sacred groves are widely distributed in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur district, Bishnupur dist ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Sidaba Mapu
Sidaba Mapu or Salailel is the Supreme god, creator of Universe and the Sky God in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. According to Meitei mythology, Sidaba Mapu, being the Creator of the Universe, from a philosophical theory known as Leithak Leikharol Nongsemlon and Leisemlon (Leisemlon Ahanpa). "The typical Manipuri account of creation is set forth in Leithak Leikharol and most of the lores of rituals and physicians" See also * Meitei deities Sanamahism is the indigenous religion of the Meitei people. It originated in the Kingdom of Kangleipak, and is still practiced in modern Manipur, India, distinct from both the Indosphere and the Sinosphere. Sanamahism is a polytheistic religion ... References Meitei gods {{deity-stub ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  


Wangbren
Wangpulen is the god of water, rain, flood, disease and sickness in Meitei mythology and Sanamahism. He is the ruler of the underwater world. He is the Lord of the rivers. The guardianship of the south eastern direction is alluded to Wangbren and the other directions to Koupalu (north west), Marjing (north east) and Thangjing (south west). He is one of the Umang Lais. He has a strong connection with the Anāl Naga people for marrying a lady from Khullen village. Among the cult centres dedicated to him, the one at Sugnu is the most significant in Meitei pantheon. Description In the Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok Puya, Wangbren is called Khana Chaopa Wangpulen. According to the text, He is one of the seven Laipungthous and one of the manifestations of the Supreme God, Atingkok, Ipung Loinapa Apakpa. Mythology Once Wangpulen went to the village of the Anāl people, disguising Himself as a human. He fell in love with a beautiful girl, Shangnu. The maiden was also ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]  




Kuru (mythology)
Sidaba Mapu or Salailel is the Supreme god, creator of Universe and the Sky God in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. According to Meitei mythology, Sidaba Mapu, being the Creator of the Universe, from a philosophical theory known as Leithak Leikharol Nongsemlon and Leisemlon (Leisemlon Ahanpa). "The typical Manipuri account of creation is set forth in Leithak Leikharol and most of the lores of rituals and physicians" See also * Meitei deities Sanamahism is the indigenous religion of the Meitei people. It originated in the Kingdom of Kangleipak, and is still practiced in modern Manipur, India, distinct from both the Indosphere and the Sinosphere. Sanamahism is a polytheistic religion ... References Meitei gods {{deity-stub ...
[...More Info...]      
[...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]