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Koupalu is a primordial deity in
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 ...
. He is the protector of the
Meiteis 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 T ...
, guardian of the North West direction and the founder of Meitei civilization. He lives on the summit of
Mount Koubru Mount Koubru (''Meeteilol'':ꯀꯧꯕ꯭ꯔꯨ) also known as Mount Koupalu is one of the highest mountains in Manipur, India and the abode of the god '' Lainingthou Koubru'' and the goddess ''Kounu'' in Manipuri mythology. Saparmeina town lies b ...
.


Description

Koupalu (or Koubru) is a primordial deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of
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 t ...
. 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 Kangleipak was an ancient, lesser known civilisation, consisting of the modern day Manipur, India which is still known to some residents as Kangleipak, and other neighbouring regions. The Kangla served as the foremost capital city of this real ...
, which he founded at
Mount Koubru Mount Koubru (''Meeteilol'':ꯀꯧꯕ꯭ꯔꯨ) also known as Mount Koupalu is one of the highest mountains in Manipur, India and the abode of the god '' Lainingthou Koubru'' and the goddess ''Kounu'' in Manipuri mythology. Saparmeina town lies b ...
, near modern
Imphal Imphal (; , ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. The metropolitan centre of the city contains the ruins of Kangla Palace (officially known as Kangla Fort), the royal seat of the former Kingdom of Manipur, surrounded by a ...
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 dedicated to God Koubru is sung: The
Meiteis 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 T ...
offer a beautiful puppy to Koubru to free themselves from suffering. The
Loi Loi is the word in the Meitei language (Meiteilon) for the term " scheduled caste". The term ''Loi'' is given to the indigenous and aboriginal people of Manipur in northeast India who refused to adopt Hinduism or were semi-Hinduised when the n ...
people worship God Koubru on every occasion, including birth, marriage and death. All the Loi villagers excluding Andro are the worshipers of God Koubru.


See also

*
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), Thangchi ...
– north east protector *
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 U ...
– south west protector *
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 a ...
– south east protector


References


External links

{{Sanamahi1 Creator gods Guardians of the directions (Meitei)