List of deities in Sanamahism

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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 with thousands of gods and goddesses of varying power, quality, features, and character.

Contents

Principle deities

There are five main deities in Sanamahism:

Guardians of the Directions

In Sanamahism, there are ten directions, for which there are ten deities who are the protectors and the guardians.[ citation needed ]

DeitiesDirectionOther attributes
Marjing (ꯃꯥꯔꯖꯤꯡ)North eastGod of polo, hockey, horses, sports and war. He rides on Samadon Ayangba, a flying horse, created by Sanamahi.
Thangjing (ꯊꯥꯡꯖꯤꯡ)South westRuling deity of the Moirang dynasty.
Koupalu (ꯀꯧꯄꯂꯨ)North westFounder of human civilization. He rides on a white elephant named Samu Laishaa Angoupa who guards the outskirts of Mount Koubru. [4]
Wangpulen (ꯋꯥꯡꯄꯨꯂꯦꯟ)South eastGod of the underwater world.
Kounu (ꯀꯧꯅꯨ)NorthGoddess of snows, hills and mountains. Consort of Koupalu and the mother of Loyalakpa and Nungthel Leima. [5]
Nongpok Ningthou (ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ)EastConsort of Panthoibi.
Lok Ningthou (ꯂꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ)SouthGod of streams, rivers, and gorges.
Loyalakpa (ꯂꯣꯌꯥꯂꯥꯛꯄ)WestGuardian God of the Western direction. Son of Koupalu and Kounu.
Salailen Sidaba Zenith
Thongalen (ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯟ) Nadir King of the Underworld and the God of the Death.

Incarnations of Leimarel Sidibi

Leimarel Sidabi, the supreme goddess has incarnated several times in various forms with diverse attributes.

Apokpa (ancestral deities)

The ancestral deities of every families and clans were called Apokpa. They are worshipped by their respective families (Yumnak) and clans (Yek Salai).

Celestial gods

According to the Khenchonglol the Sun, Moon, seven planets, and are twenty seven stars which are referred to as deities

  • Nongmaiching (Sun)
  • Ningthoukaba (Moon)
  • Leipakpokpa (Mars)
  • Yumsakeisa (Mercury)
  • Sagolsen (Jupiter)
  • Irai (Venus)
  • Thangja (Saturn)
  • Shakok (Uranus)
  • Shamei (Neptune)

In Meitei mythology, there are seven celestial goddesses, the Lai Nuraa Tare , the creation of the Lord Atingkok Maru Sidaba and seven nymphs or helloi taret , who are the daughters of the Salailen Sidaba.

Gods of the Underworld

Umang Lai

There are more than 365 forest deities or Umang Lai in Sanamahism. They are always associated with a sacred grove. The term Umang Lai is also used to refer to the sacred abodes of the deities.

Craft deities

Bird and animal goddesses

Agricultural deities

Lake and river goddesses

There are various Lake and river guardian goddesses.

Market goddesses

People worshipped one goddess for each market area considering the spirit of the goddess as the protector, guardian of the region.

Worship

According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution, [8] [9] [10]

1. Meireima is worshipped by the Heirom family. [8] [9] [10]


2. Khanglangba is worshipped by the Irom family. [8] [9] [10]


3. Shorarel (heaven) is worshipped by the Sorelsangbam family. [8] [9] [10]


4. Lammabee is worshipped by the Sharang Leishangthem family. [8] [9] [10]


5. Phouoibi (goddess for paddy) is worshipped by the Sharotkhaibam family. [8] [9] [10]


6. Shanglang-mei (Kangla) is worshipped by the Potshangbam family. [8] [9] [10]


7. Kutchu (Wayenshang) is worshipped by the Moirang Pukhrambam family. [8] [9] [10]


8. Mawao Leima is worshipped by the Shoubam family. [8] [9] [10]


9. Panthoibi (most adored Meetei goddess) is worshipped by the Heishnam family. [8] [9] [10]


10. Pet-angnga is worshipped by the Khoisanam family. [8] [9] [10]


11. Laikhurembee is worshipped by the Taibangjam family. [8] [9] [10]


12. Huimureima is worshipped by the Konthoujam family. [8] [9] [10]


13. Lainaotabi is worshipped by the Ashangbam family. [8] [9] [10]


14. Nungthelleima is worshipped by the Chingkhwam family. [8] [9] [10]


15. Shoubonleima is worshipped by the Arambam family. [8] [9] [10]


16. Awangba (deity Lai-wangba) is worshipped by the Yenkhom Phisabam family. [8] [9] [10]


17. Luwaang Ching is worshipped by the Luwangshangbam family. [8] [9] [10]


18. Lainingthou is worshipped by the Sinam Laishangbam family. [8] [9] [10]


19. Puthiba is worshipped by the Moirangthem Puthem family. [8] [9] [10]


20. Pureiromba is worshipped by the Mangsatabam family. [8] [9] [10]


21. Tenlongba is worshipped by the Langmaithem family. [8] [9] [10]


22. Thongak is worshipped by the Ngarangyanpam family. [8] [9] [10]


23. Chingkol-Ningthou is worshipped by the Nakalbam family. [8] [9] [10]


24. Chingbal Leima is worshipped by the Khuraijam family. [8] [9] [10]


25. Yaoreibi is worshipped by the Meiyengbam family. [8] [9] [10]


26. Koubarel is worshipped by the Leishangthem family. [8] [9] [10]


27. Numitleima is worshipped by the Ningthoujam family. [8] [9] [10]


28. Koubru is worshipped by the Pukkalabam family. [8] [9] [10]


29. Marjing is worshipped by the Chenglei-Laishangbam family. [8] [9] [10]


30. Moirang Phaktom Ariba is worshipped by the Moirangthem family. [8] [9] [10]


31. Hongnemyoi Khunjao is worshipped by the Kangpucham family. [8] [9] [10]


32. Chinga is worshipped by the Chingkhalbam family. [8] [9] [10]


33. Langjing is worshipped by the Longjam Pheiroijam family. [8] [9] [10]


34. Langgol is worshipped by the Tekcham family. [8] [9] [10]


35. Langmaicheeng (Nongmaijing) is worshipped by the Nongmaithem family. [8] [9] [10]


36. Chinga Leima is worshipped by the Ningthoujam family. [8] [9] [10]


37. Langching Hiyangthou Leima is worshipped by the Heithou and Khongtekcham families. [8] [9] [10]


38. Yumjao Lairemma is worshipped by the Thaopicham family. [8] [9] [10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "How the name Sanamahi came into existence". www.e-pao.net.
  2. ↑ "Meiteis celebrate Emoinu".
  3. ↑ (Admin), Jitendra. "Ima Emoinu Irat thouni being observed across Manipur". Impact TV.
  4. ↑ Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN   978-81-269-0706-9.
  5. ↑ Ibemhal, Thounaojam Chanu (2000). Haoreima Shambubi (in Manipuri). p. 222.
  6. ↑ Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul. p. 99.
  7. ↑ "Panthoibi celebrations under way". www.telegraphindia.com.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Manipur: Treaties & Documents. India: Mittal Publications, 1993. p. 7–11
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Manikchand Singh, konsam (2012). Loiyumpa Silyel The Ancient Constitution Of Manipur.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 "Historical evidence | Meeyamgi Ningtam Lanmee". 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2025-05-23.

Bibliography

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