Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple

Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple
Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple
(Meitei: Hiyangthang Lairembi Laishang)
Religion
Affiliation	Sanamahism (Meitei religion)
District	Imphal West
Region	Hiyangthang
Deity	Hiyangthang Lairembi
Festival	Lai Haraoba of Sanamahism, Panthoibi Iratpa, Durga Puja of Hinduism (Hindu festival is also celebrated since the reign of King Garib Niwaj in 18th century AD)
Patron	King Senbi Kiyamba (1467-1508 AD) of Ningthouja dynasty
Location
Location	Hiyangthang
State	Manipur
Country	India
Architecture
Type	Meitei architecture (Manipuri architecture)
Style	Meitei architecture (Manipuri architecture)
Creator	Sarangthem Luwangba
Date established	15th century AD
Temple(s)	1

Last updated January 10, 2024

The Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple (Meitei : Hiyangthang Lairembi Laishang) is an ancient temple of Goddess Hiyangthang Lairembi (also known as Irai Leima) of Meitei religion (Sanamahism).^[1]^[2] The sacred building is situated on the hilltop of Heibok Ching in the Hiyangthang, Manipur.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] Thousands of devotees thronged at the holy site during the festival time of Lai Haraoba of Sanamahism as well as Durga Puja of Hinduism.^[3]^[5]

History

The worship of Goddess Hiyangthang Lairembi (alias Irai Leima) was started by the reign of King Senbi Kiyamba (1467-1508 AD) in Manipur. Right from his era, Sarangthem family members hold grand feasts (Chaklen Katpa) every year in honor of the goddess.^[6]^[7]

In the 18th century AD, during the reign of King Garib Niwaj (alias Pamheiba), Goddess Hiyangthang Lairembi (alias Irai Leima) was converted to Hindu goddess Kamakhya (a form of Durga). The 3rd day of Durga Puja is celebrated as the "Bor Numit" (literally, Boon Day) in the temple.^[7]^[8]

On 22 March 1979, an association was formed to worship Hiyangthang Lairembi (Ireima), the traditional goddess.^[8]

Legends

Irai Leima (later known as Hiyangthang Lairembi) was an exceptionally beautiful princess of Heibok Ching. King Heibok Ningthou, her father was a wizard and black magician. One day, King Kwakpa (Kokpa) of Khuman dynasty saw Irai Leima fishing in the Liwa river. He fell in love with her. He proposed her. Her answer was that her parents' wish will be her wish. So, King Kwakpa and his subjects presented Heibok Ningthou many gifts.^[2] King Kwakpa was about to marry Irai Leima if her father didn't reject or to bring her by force if her father rejected. Seeing the immodesty of Khuman Kwakpa, Heibok Ningthou turned all the presents into stone. Kwakpa returned home disappointed.^[6]

One day, King Kwakpa got drunk with a juice of the roots of Tera plant ( Bombax malabaricum ). He went to meet Irai Leima, riding on a Hiyang boat. Seeing him coming, she fled to Pakhra Ching. Kwakpa followed her. Seeing all these, Heibok Ningthou turned the Hiyang boat into stone and the oar into a growing tree.^[6] Getting furious, Kwakpa turned on Heibok Ningthou to kill him. Then, Heibok Ningthou turned Khuman Kwakpa also into a stone. Irai Leima saw all this and was frightened. She ran away from her own father. She passed the Pakhra Ching, crossed the Liwa river and hid herself inside the grain storehouse of Sarangthem Luwangba. When Luwangba and his good lady Thoidingjam Chanu Amurei left the house for paddy field, Irai Leima came out from her hideout. Meanwhile, she did all the household works for them. When they returned home, she also returned to her hideout again.^[6] They were amazed at this but it happened daily. So, one day, the man returned home earlier than normal timing. He found out what was really going on. But when he came near Irai Leima, she was gone below the grain storehouse. He saw nothing under the granary. He was astonished at this. So, he discussed the matter with his clan members. They searched her everywhere but didn't find her anymore.^[6]

Irai Leima came to the dream of Sarangthem Luwangba. She told him that she was merged into his clan and became his daughter. The story was told to King Senbi Kiyamba of Ningthouja dynasty. The King sent maibas and maibis to inspect the case. The maibas and the maibis concluded the strange lady to be a goddess and the deity to be worshipped. King Kiyaamba told Luwangba to worship her. From that year onwards, Irai Leima was worshipped as a goddess.^[7]

The first day on which Luwangba saw Irai Leima was the first Monday of the Meitei lunar month of Lamta (Lamda). And the day on which the maibas and maibis examine the case was the first Tuesday of Lamta (Lamda). Even today, right from the era of King Senbi Kiyamba (1467-1508 AD), the Sarangthem family members organise a grand feast (Chaklen Katpa) in honor of the goddess every year. Later, Irai Leima came to be known as Hiyangthang Lairembi.^[7]

Festival

Devotees believe that Goddess Hiyangthang Lairembi (alias Irai Leima) fulfills one's wish if asked for a blessing on the "boon day" at the right time. The boon day (Bor Numit) coincides with the third day of Hindu festival Durga Puja.^[2]

Related Research Articles

Sanamahism, Meiteism, or Lainingthouism is an ethnic religion of the Meitei people of Kangleipak in Northeast India. It is a polytheistic religion and is named after God Lainingthou Sanamahi, one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith. Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Yaibirel Sidaba and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. The importance of Sanamahi in the religion is also emphasized in the name itself which means Liquid Gold. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, Maru Loishang that oversees the main religious activities and govern all affairs pertaining to the religion including conducts of priest and priestess. The Maru Loishang also acts a court for religious disputes. There are three main departments under the Pandit 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 AD.

Hiyangthang is a town in Indian state of Manipur. It is best known for the Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple, a Meitei shrine dedicated to ancient Meitei goddess Irai Leima. It is located in Imphal West district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panthoibi</span> Ancient Meitei goddess

Panthoibi, also known as Nongpok Leima, is a goddess associated with civilization, courage, fertility, handicraft, love, victory, warfare and wisdom in the mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. She is a consort of the God Nongpok Ningthou. She is considered to be one of the divine incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi and is also identified as a form of Goddess Nongthang Leima. She is worshipped mainly by the Meitei people in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Nongshaba, also spelled as Nongsaba, is a Lion God in Meitei religion (Sanamahism) and mythology. He is also regarded as a king of the gods. He is credited with producing light in the primordial universe and is regarded as the maker of the sun. He is worshipped by the people of both the Ningthouja clans as well as the Moirang clans. God Nongshaba was worshipped by the people of Moirang clan as a lineage deity and regarded as the father of God Thangching (Thangjing). He is the greatest of the Umang Lais in Ancient Kangleipak but he made his only son Thangching (Thangjing) the chief deity of Moirang.

Panthoibi Iratpa or Panthoibi Iraat Thouni or Panthoibi Eratpa is a religious festival of the Meitei people dedicated to Panthoibi, the ancient Meitei goddess of civilization, courage, fertility, handicraft, love, victory, warfare and wisdom of Sanamahism. It is celebrated on the first day of the Meitei lunar month of Mera, based on the traditional Meitei calendar. It usually, though not always, coincides with the day of the Hindu festival of Durga Puja, which is based on the Hindu calendar. So, both the festival are often celebrated together in Manipur, despite their religious differences. Goddess Panthoibi is syncretised with Hindu goddess Durga since 1714 AD during the reign of emperor Pamheiba when he made Hinduism as the official religion of the Kingdom of Manipur.

Irai Leima or Ireima is a goddess in Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism) of Ancient Kangleipak. She is the goddess and the divine female personification of water and aquatic life. She is also considered to be in charge of diseases.

Nongpok Ningthou, also known as Sovereign of the East or King of the East, is a deity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. He is the ruling guardian deity of the eastern direction. Legend says Nongpok Ningthou and Panthoibi got united in the Nongmaiching mountains. Later, they were worshipped as the civilization giving deities in Meitei religion.

Khoriphaba is a God in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. He is the son of Sky God Salailen and Goddess Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi. He came down from heaven to earth to search for his mother and then for a bride. He is best known for wrestling with Loyalakpa in the Lai Haraoba festival. He is also a polo playing God.

Yumjao Leima or Yumjao Lairembi or Yumjao Lairemma is the mother goddess of house, household, royalty, rule and power in Meitei mythology and religion. She is designated as the all time ruling Queen Mother. Legend says she assumes a human form in white clothes and blesses kings. She is one of the divine incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi.

Khamlangba, also spelt as Khamlangpa, is a deity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. He is the God of iron, mining, metallurgy, steel manufacturing, hunting and war. His occupation is the extraction of the iron ores and the manufacture of steel. The Khamlangba Thenlon text mentions about his skills of iron metallurgy and blacksmith in ancient Kakching kingdom.

Panam Ningthou is a God in Meitei mythology and religion. He is the protector of crops, especially paddy from hailstorm and thunder. According to legends, He ignited fire for the first time by rubbing flints. He is one of the Umang Lai deities.

Ichum Lairembi or Echum Lairembi or Eechum Lairembi is a Lairembi (goddess) in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. Her major cult centre of worship is located in Khurkhul region, present day Manipur.

In Meitei mythology and religion, Kangla Sa, also spelled as Kangla Sha, is a guardian dragon lion. It has a lion's body and a dragon's head, with two horns. It is considered sacred to the Meitei heritage. It is a royal symbol of the Meitei royalties . The most remarkable statues dedicated to "Kangla Sa" stand inside the Kangla.

The ancient legend of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi is an epic cycle of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore from Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the fateful love of Kadeng Thangjahanba, a skilled blacksmith, for the beautiful Tonu Laijinglembi.

The ancient legend of Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu is an epic cycle of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore from the Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the love and adventures of the forgotten prince Ura Naha Khongjomba for the beautiful woman Pidonnu.

Ningthou Kangba was a ruler of Ancient Kangleipak. He is traditionally seen as having invented Sagol Kangjei, the earliest form of the modern day polo sports. He was the son of King Tangja Leela Pakhangba (1445 BC-1405 BC) and Queen Sinbee Leima. He was the consort of Queen Leima Taritnu, daughter of a king named Nongpok Ningthou of the Nongmaiching Hill in the east of Imphal.

Jagoi refers to the arts of dance in Meitei culture.

Irai Ningthou or Ike Ningthau is a God in Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism) of Ancient Kangleipak. He is the God and the divine male personification of water. He mainly dwells in the rivers and lakes.

References

1 2 "Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple". Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
1 2 3 4 Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. p. 674. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
1 2 Laishram, Ranbir (10 October 2016). "Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple on "Bor" | KanglaOnline" . Retrieved 15 June 2022.
↑ "Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple ,hiyangthang".
↑ "Durga Puja".
1 2 3 4 5 Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. p. 675. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
1 2 3 4 Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. p. 676. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
1 2 Noni, Arambam; Sanatomba, Kangujam (16 October 2015). Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-27066-9.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[Archived_copy-1] 1 2 "Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple". Archived from the original on 25 January 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.

[Lisam_2011_674-2] 1 2 3 4 Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. p. 674. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.

[kanglaonline.com-3] 1 2 Laishram, Ranbir (10 October 2016). "Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple on "Bor" | KanglaOnline" . Retrieved 15 June 2022.

[4] "Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple ,hiyangthang".

[5] "Durga Puja".

[Lisam_2011_675-6] 1 2 3 4 5 Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. p. 675. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.

[Lisam_2011_676-7] 1 2 3 4 Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. p. 676. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.

[Routledge-8] 1 2 Noni, Arambam; Sanatomba, Kangujam (16 October 2015). Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-27066-9.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]