Laininthou Sanamahee (Meetei: ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯁꯥꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ) is the Supreme Guardian God of mankind and the supreme deity of the household in Meetei religion and

mythology Myth is a folklore genre consisting of Narrative, narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or Origin myth, origin myths. Since "myth" is widely used to imply that a story is not Objectivity (philosophy), ...

. He originated from the ancient kingdom of

Kangleipak Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of M ...

(

Manipur Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a States and territories of India, state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It ...

). He is regarded as the most popular and significant divinity of

Sanamahism () , native_name_lang = mni , image = The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg , imagewidth = , alt = , caption = The Symbol of Sanamahism (Source: Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya) , ...

. He is the brother of

Pakhangba Pakhangba ( mni, , omp, ) is a primordial deity, often represented in the form of a dragon, in Meitei mythology and religion. He is depicted in the heraldry of Manipur kingdom, which originated in ''paphal'' ( mni, ), the mythical illus ...

and Nongshaba. He is the eldest son of Creator God Saalailel Sitapa and Leimalel Sitapee, the protector of the Universe in

Meetei mythology Meitei mythology or Manipuri mythology ( mni, Meitei Mi Lai Tingi Wari) is a collection of myths, belonging to the religious and cultural traditions of the Meitei people, the :wikt:majority, predominant ethnic group of Manipur. It is associa ...

and philosophy and Mother

Earth goddess An Earth goddess is a deification of the Earth. Earth goddesses are often associated with the " chthonic" deities of the underworld. Ki and Ninhursag are Mesopotamian earth goddesses. In Greek mythology, the Earth is personified as Gaia, corr ...

Leimarel Sidabi ) , deity_of = Goddess of earth, nature and household , member_of = Imung Lais , image = Relief art depicting Salailen (Salailel), the Supreme God, creating Leimalen (Leimalel), the first female being in the universe, according ...

Etymology

The term Lainingthou is derived from Meetei language which means "King of Gods" and the term Sanamahi is combination of "Sanna" which means ''spreading'' and "Eemahi" which means "blood that originates living", literally means "spreading everywhere (like liquid)".

Mythology

When Sanamahi was ordered to cross the globe by his father, he at once proceeded. However, his younger brother

as per the instruction of his mother

, went around his father Atingkok Maru Sidaba, who is equivalent to the globe. As per the declaration that among the two brothers, the first to succeed in traveling across the globe, would be offered his father's throne of the Universe. That's how Pakhangba got the throne. However, in order to compensate Sanamahi, Atingkok Maru Sidaba offered him to be the king of every household of Mankind in the universe.

Divine names

There are one thousand divine names of the God Lainingthou Sanamahi.

Religious sites

The sacred places of Lainingthou Sanamahi include Sanamahi Temple, Kangla Palace, and Sanamahi Kiyong Temple.

Texts

Ancient texts that discuss him include: * Sanamahi Laihui * Karthong Lamlen *

Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya The Puyas ( mni, ꯄꯨꯌꯥ) are archaic Meitei language manuscripts. They encompass a wide spectrum of themes including genealogy, literature, history, royalties, administration, creation and cosmology, philosophy, poetry, religious beliefs, ...

(written in 1400 BC) * Hijan-Hirao * Besides the above-mentioned sacred books, there are several sacred books or

Puya (Meitei texts) The Puyas ( mni, ꯄꯨꯌꯥ) are archaic Meitei language manuscripts. They encompass a wide spectrum of themes including genealogy, literature, history, royalties, administration, creation and cosmology, philosophy, poetry, religious bel ...

discovered from various hidings.

Festivals

The religious festivals associated with Lord Sanamahi are: * Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba *

Mera Hou Chongba Mera Hou Chongba or Mera Waayungba or Mera Thaomei Thaanba is the cultural festival of solidarity of Manipur, celebrated by every indigenous ethnic groups, including the Meitei people and the rest of hilly tribes. The day falls on the 15th lunar ...

Lai Haraoba Lai Haraoba is a festival associated with the Meitei people celebrated to please the Umang Lai, the traditional deities of Sanamahism. Translated, Lai Haraoba means ''merry making of the Gods'' in Meiteilon. In this festival, the people worshi ...

* Sajibu Cheiraoba

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanamahi, Lainingthou Meitei gods and goddesses Names of God in Sanamahism Ningthou