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.
Here is a list of glossary of Culture of India in alphabetical order:
Sajibu Nongma Pānba, also called Meitei Cheiraoba or Sajibu Cheiraoba, is the lunar new year festival of the Meitei people who follow Sanamahism, celebrated predominantly in the Indian state of Manipur. The name Sajibu Nongma Pānba derives from the Manipuri words: Sajibu - the first month of the year which usually falls during the month of April according to Meitei lunar calendar, Nongma - first date of a Month, Pānba - to be. Literally, it means the first day of the month of Sajibu. It is also celebrated by the Indian diasporas in western countries, including but not limited to Canada and Australia. Similarly, it is also celebrated in many Indian cities outside Manipur, like in Bangalore, Guwahati, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, among many others.
Imoinu or Emoinu is a goddess associated with household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. She is frequently associated with Leimarel Sidabi. She is regarded as one of the incarnations or representations of goddess Leimarel Sidabi.
Laininthou Sanamahee is the Supreme Guardian God of mankind and the supreme deity of the household in Meetei religion and mythology. He originated from the ancient kingdom of Kangleipak (Manipur). He is regarded as the most popular and significant divinity of Sanamahism. He is the brother of Pakhangba and Nongshaba. He is the eldest son of Creator God Saalailel Sitapa and Leimalel Sitapee, the protector of the Universe in Meetei mythology and philosophy and Mother Earth goddess Leimarel Sidabi.
The Meitei calendar or the Manipuri calendar or the Kangleipak calendar or the Maliyapham Palcha Kumshing is a lunar calendar used by the Meitei people of Manipur for their religious, agricultural and other cultural activities. New moon is counted as the end of each month and has twelve months in total. The concept of era in Meitei calendar was first developed by Emperor Maliyafam Palcha, in the year 1397 BC in the realm of Kangleipak in present-day Manipur. It is believed that the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th months of the Meitei calendar were named after Poireiten's agricultural activities. Similar to Gregorian calendar, the Meitei calendar also consists of twelve months and seven days but the starting date with the Gregorian calendar is different. The new year day known as, Sajibu Cheiraoba is celebrated on the 1st day of the month Sajibu.
Meitei deities are the deities affiliated to Meitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) of the Meitei people of Manipur. Among many gods, main Meitei gods are Atingkok, Asheeba (Sanamahi) and Apanba (Pakhangba). Among many goddesses, main Meitei goddesses are Leimarel Sidabi, Imoinu (Emoinu), Panthoibi and Phouoibi (Phouleima).
Ningol Chakkouba, also known as Ningol Chakouba or Hiyangei Nini Paanba, is a traditional Meitei festival, celebrated by the Meitei people in the second lunar day of Hiyangei (October–November) month of Meitei calendar. It is celebrated in the theme of strengthening the bond of love between married ningol and their paternal families. In addition to its celebration in western countries, like Australia and Canada, by Indian diasporas, it is also celebrated in many Indian cities, outside Manipur, including but not limited to Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shillong, Silchar, among many others.
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.
Imoinu Iratpa or Emoinu Iratpa or Waakching Taranithoini Paanba is the religious festival of lights dedicated to the Meitei Goddess Imoinu Ahongbi. The festival is celebrated by the Meitei people following Sanamahism, especially in Manipur. The festival falls on the twelfth lunar day of Wakching month of Meitei calendar.
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 Naga tribes of Manipur. The day falls on the 15th lunar day of Mera month of the Meitei calendar. The main location for the celebration of the festival is at the Sana Konung, the Royal Palace of Manipur. On this day, all the hill tribes came down to the valley of Imphal, and gather at the Royal Palace, and show their cultural dances and other art forms. The day ends with a grand feast, held together with the Meitei people and the tribes, to show solitude, oneness of all the ethnic groups in the region.
Mera Chaorel Houba or Mera Chaoren Houba is the religious festival of Manipur, dedicated to the Lord Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi, celebrated by the Meitei people and the indigenous tribal communities of the hills. The day falls on the first lunar day of the month of Mera according to Meitei calendar. The festival is observed in the theme of solidarity and fraternity of the ethnic groups of the region. The main location of the festival is the Kangla Palace and the Sanamahi Temple, Imphal West district, Manipur, where devotees offer fruits, vegetables, rice, and especially lights and inscences at the temple. The sacred water from the Nungjeng Pukhri, Kangla Palace is also collected and offered to the deities at the temple.
Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba or Sanamahi Cheng Hongba or Kang Chingba is the religious festival of Meitei people, associated mainly with the public procession with the grand chariot, housing the ancient Meitei deity Lainingthou Sanamahi. The Imphal city serves as the main location of the festival. It attracts thousands of pilgrims who join the procession. The festival was celebrated 350 years ago, and after a long pause, it was first recelebrated in the year 2018.
The Emoinu Fish Fest, also known as the Imoinu Fish Festival(Meitei: Imoinu Nga Kummei), is an annual grand fair, organised by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Manipur, on the 12th day of the Meitei lunar month of "Wakching", which is traditionally, the day of Emoinu Eratpa, the sacred festival dedicated to Emoinu (Imoinu), the ancient Meitei goddess of wealth and prosperity. The first edition of the event was organised on 3rd January, 2023. The event was organised in the Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East district, Manipur.
The Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) is a temple development board of the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple, Haying Khongban Uphong Yumpham, Imphal West district of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur'). It is dedicated not only to God Lainingthou Sanamahi and Goddess Leimarel Sidabi of Sanamahism, but also to the other ancient Meitei gods and goddesses of the traditional Meitei religion.
The Lainingthou Sanna Mahee Sanna Pung, Kangleipak, also known as the Lainingthou Sanamahi Sanapung (LSSP), is a non-governmental organization of the followers of the Sanamahism, dedicated to God Lainingthou Sanamahi and other ancient Meitei deities of Kangleipak.
The South East Asia Cultural Organisation (SEACO) is an international cultural organization that works for the development of the Meitei culture of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur'). It aims to preserve the unique history, culture, identity, and religion of Manipur. It also advocates to take "extra caution about the issue of preservation of the cultural identity of the Indigenous people in the wake of the present globalization".
The culture of Meitei civilization evolved over thousands of years, beginning in Ancient Kangleipak, continuing most notably into Medieval Kangleipak, while influencing the neighboring states and kingdoms, till present times.
Women have significant roles in different elements of Meitei culture, including Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology, Meitei religion, etc.
