Marjing Polo Statue

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Marjing Polo Statue
Marjing Sagol Kangjei Mitam [1]
Marjing Polo Statue -- World's tallest statue of a polo player -- Classical monumental Meitei equestrian sculpture -- G20 summit -- Cultural heritage of Meitei civilization -- Cradle of "modern polo".jpg
Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest statue of a polo player, during the G20 summit, commemorating Meitei civilization, as the Cradle of "modern polo" [2]
Marjing Polo Statue
24°52′46″N93°57′15″E / 24.87937°N 93.95405°E / 24.87937; 93.95405
Location Marjing Polo Complex, Heingang Ching (Marjing hills), Heingang, Imphal East District, Manipur
DesignerProfessor Somnath Ghose of Jadavpur University [3] [4]
Type equestrian statue
Material steel (inner material) and bronze (outer material) [3] [4]
Height122 feet (37 m) [lower-alpha 1] [5] [6] (previously planned on "160 feet (49 m)" [7] [8] )
Beginning dateApril 2016 [8]
Completion dateNovember 2022 [9]
Opening date6 January 2023
Dedicated to Marjing, Sagol Kangjei and Meitei horse (Manipuri pony)
Inaugurated by Amit Shah [5]

The Marjing Polo Statue (Meitei : Marjing Sagol Kangjei Mitam) is a colossal classical equestrian statue of a player of Sagol Kangjei ( Meitei for ' polo game'), riding a Meitei horse (Manipuri pony), constructed at the Marjing Polo Complex, the sacred sports site dedicated to God Marjing, the ancient Meitei deity of polo and horses, in Heingang, Imphal East District, Kangleipak ( Meitei for ' Manipur '). [10] [4] It is the world's tallest statue of a polo player. [11] [12] [4] It is built to commemorate the game of "modern polo" being originated from Kangleipak ( Meitei for ' Manipur '). [13] [14] [9]

Contents

Description

The Marjing Polo Statue is 122 feet (37 m) tall. [15] [6] The cost of construction of the statue is ₹39 crore (US$4.9 million). [5] [16]

The gigantic polo statue stands above a pedestal of a three-storey building, with recreational facilities. [14]

The statue's inner structure is made of steel and its outer surface is covered by bronze. Its design is prepared by Professor Somnath Ghose of Jadavpur University. [3] [4]

Previously, during January-April 2016, the Government of Manipur planned to build the statue with a height of 160 feet (49 m) at the construction cost of ₹12 crore (equivalent to ₹17 croreorUS$2.2 million in 2023). [17] [8]

Prior to the construction of the statue, a roadway was made up to the base of the place where the statue was to be built, for which permission was granted to the construction team by the Ministry of Environment and Forest. [3] [4]

Marjing Polo Statue during construction .jpg
Marjing Polo Statue during construction

Inauguration

On 6 January 2023, the Marjing Polo Statue was inaugurated by Amit Shah, the then Minister of Home Affairs of the Union Government of India, [15] [6] [18] in the presence of Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, [19] at a function organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur. [20]

Regarding the inauguration, Amit Shah stated:

"It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur. Today, inaugurated a 122 feet Marjing polo statue at the Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal. This will surely take the legacy forward and inspire more youngsters toward the game."

—  Amit Shah, 06-01-2023 [19] [18]

Significance

Nongthombam Biren, the Chief Minister of Manipur, said that the 122 feet tall Marjing polo statue will "highlight the significance of the birthplace of Polo and revive the glory of Manipur". [18] [19] He also stressed the significance of the statue, being the tallest and the biggest polo statue, inaugurated in recognition of Sagol Kangjei, Sagol Lanmi ( Meitei for 'cavalry'), Arambai, etc. [20]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Many news websites mislead the height as "110 feet", "120 feet", etc.

Related Research Articles

An equestrian statue is a statue of a rider mounted on a horse, from the Latin eques, meaning 'knight', deriving from equus, meaning 'horse'. A statue of a riderless horse is strictly an equine statue. A full-sized equestrian statue is a difficult and expensive object for any culture to produce, and figures have typically been portraits of rulers or, in the Renaissance and more recently, military commanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manipuri Pony</span> Breed of horse

The Manipuri Pony is a traditional Indian breed of small horse or pony from Assam and Manipur in north-eastern India. It appears both in the history and the mythology of Manipur, and was used for warfare and polo. It is believed to have been the polo pony in use in Assam in the mid-nineteenth century when British tea planters first saw polo being played, and the height limits set for polo ponies were based on ponies of this breed. It was very numerous in the early twentieth century, but numbers have since fallen. A breed society was established in 1977, and a breed standard was drawn up by the Indigenous Horse Society of India in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">N. Biren Singh</span> 12th Chief Minister of Manipur

Nongthombam Biren Singh is an Indian politician, former footballer and journalist who is currently serving as the 12th Chief Minister of Manipur since 2017 representing Heingang Assembly constituency in the Manipur Legislative Assembly since 2002 as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Besides being the chairman of Shri Shri Govindaji Temple Board, he is the first incumbent Chief Minister who serves as the president of the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB), the temple development board of Lainingthou Sanamahi of the Sanamahi religion since 2021.

<i>Manipuri Pony</i> (film) 2013 Indian film

Manipuri Pony is a 2013 non-feature Indian Meitei language film scripted by Aribam Gautam and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. It is produced by Films Division of India. The film won the National Film Award for Best Exploration / Adventure Film at the 60th National Film Awards. The movie was also selected in the Indian Panorama of the 44th International Film Festival of India 2013 and the Mumbai International Film Festival in 2014.

<i>Daughters of the Polo God</i> 2018 Indian film

Daughters of the Polo God is a 2018 Indian Meitei-English bilingual documentary film directed by Roopa Baruah and edited by Hemanti Sarkar. It is based on the story of girls and horses empowering each other. It is about saving the endangered Meitei horse and empowering women in the sport of polo simultaneously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjing</span> Meitei God of polo, horses and warfare

Marjing is the God of horses, polo, hockey, sports and war in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. The guardianship of the north eastern direction is alluded to Marjing and the other directions to Koupalu, Thangching and Wangpulen. According to the legend, he invented the game of polo and introduced it as the national game. He and his divine creature, Samadon Ayangba, reside in the top of the Heingang Ching.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei language day</span> Annual event dedicated to Meitei language

Meitei Language Day, formally known as Manipuri Language Day, is an International Day observed annually on 20 August. It is a commemoration of the day on which Meitei language was included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and made one of the languages with official status in India on 20 August 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meitei classical language movement</span> Social movement to make Meitei an officially recognised Classical language of India

The social movement of Meitei language to achieve the officially recognised status of the "Classical language of India" is advocated by various literary, political, social associations and organisations as well as notable individual personalities of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Northeast India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manung Kangjeibung</span> Polo Ground located inside the Kangla fort in Imphal

The Manung Kangjeibung is an old polo field located to the south west of the citadel inside the Kangla Fort in Imphal West district of Manipur. In ancient times, only royalties and nobilities were allowed to play the game of polo in this royal playground. It is one of the two most ancient pologrounds in the world, the other one being the Mapal Kangjeibung .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 in Manipur</span>

Events in the year 2022 in Manipur

The Kangla Nongpok Thong, shortly known as the Nongpok Thong, is the Eastern Gate Bridge of the Kangla Fort of Imphal, Kangleipak . With the re-opening of the modern Eastern Gate of the Kangla, the Kangla Western Gate was closed forever, under the leadership of Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, due to the traditional Meitei belief that the western gate is regarded as the gate of the dead and it is ominous to enter the Kangla through the western doorway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjing Polo Complex</span> Polo Complex in Imphal

The Marjing Polo Complex is a sports complex dedicated to ancient Meitei deity Marjing, Sagol Kangjei and Meitei horse, built in the hilltop of the Heingang Ching, the sacred abode of God Marjing, located in Heingang, Imphal East district, Kangleipak . It houses Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest equestrian statue of a polo player.

The Heingang Ching ), also known as the Meitei: Marjing Hill, is a hill in Heingang, Imphal East district of Kangleipak. In Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism), Heingang Ching is a sacred mountain and the home of God Marjing, the ancient Meitei deity of Sagol Kangjei, Khong Kangjei, and Meitei horse.

The Nongmaiching Ching, also known as the Selloi Langmai Ching, is a mountain in Imphal Valley, Manipur. It has an altitude of around 5,133 feet (1,565 m). It is a holy pilgrimage site for the Meitei people. In Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism), it is a sacred mountain and the abode of God Nongpok Ningthou and Goddess Panthoibi. In Meitei folklore, the Nongmaiching is described as the hill that produces "the seven days of a week".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lainingthou Sanamahi Kiyong</span> A Meitei temple in Imphal East

The Meitei: Lainingthou Sanamahi Kiyong, lit. 'Lainingthou Sanamahi Shrine'), officially known as the Meitei: Laiyingthou Sanamahi Kiyong, lit. 'Laiyingthou Sanamahi Shrine'), is a temple of God Lainingthou Sanamahi of Meitei religion (Sanamahism), built on the Nongmaiching mountain in the Imphal East district of Kangleipak. It is a center of the Sanamahism followers in Manipur. It is the central body of the "Sanamahi Lainingkol" at Chingoi Maru Langmaiching (Nongmaiching).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board</span> Meitei temple administrative board in Imphal

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lainingthou Sanna Mahee Sanna Pung, Kangleipak</span> Meitei religious organization

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hills and mountains in Meitei culture</span> Description of hills and mountains in Meitei culture

Many Chings play significant role in different elements of Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) of Kangleipak.

References

  1. ↑ "জি-২০ দেলিগেদশিংগী মনিপুর খোঙচৎকী নিনি চনবা নুমিত্তা পুৱারিগা শাগোন্নবা মফমশিং অমসুং লমকোয়ফমশিংদা য়েংখ্রে". pib.gov.in (in Manipuri). Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ↑ "Excursion to historic and places of tourists interest marks the second day of G20 delegates visit to Manipur". pib.gov.in (in English and Manipuri). Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Polo statue work yet to take off: 17th feb16 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "World's tallest polo statue to be constructed in Mnp". Nagaland Post. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 21 development projects worth Rs. 1,311 crore at Moirang, Manipur today". Press Information Bureau . Retrieved 10 January 2023. Shri Amit Shah inaugurated Medical College of worth Rs. 46 Crore at Churachandpur and unveils 122 feet tall Marjing polo statue of worth Rs. 39 crore
  6. 1 2 3 "Manipur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates 122-feet-high Marjing Polo statue". India Today NE. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Rs 12 crores sanctioned to erect 160 feet tall polo statue at Heingang Hill: MLA Biren – KanglaOnline". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "Spadework for Marjing tourist circuit begins: 28th apr16 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Construction Of Much-Awaited 120-Ft-Tall Effigy Of 'Sagol Kangjei' Completed; Upholds Historical Significance Of Polo Sport". Northeast Today. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  10. ↑ "Sagol Kangjei: The ancient polo of Manipur, played on the celebrated Manipur Pony". The Indian Express . 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "Excursion to historic and places of tourists interest marks the second day of G20 delegates visit to Manipur". pib.gov.in (in English and Manipuri). Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  12. ↑ "Manipur: Amit Shah will unveil the tallest statue of the polo player, will hoist the tricolor at the historic site - News8Plus-Realtime Updates On Breaking News & Headlines". 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "Manipur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Unveils 122-feet-tall Polo Statue In Imphal". Ukhrul Times. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  14. 1 2 "120 feet Polo Statue to be Build [sic] in Manipur, the Birthplace of the Sport". News18. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Amit Shah inaugurates 122-feet-high Marjing Polo Statue in Manipur". ANI News. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  16. ↑ "Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 21 development projects at Manipur today - NE India Broadcast". 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "Rs 12 crores sanctioned to erect 160 feet tall polo statue at Heingang Hill: MLA Biren – KanglaOnline". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 "Amit Shah inaugurates 122 feet tall Marjing Polo Statue". Signpost News. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 "Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates 122-feet Marjing Polo Statue in Manipur". Imphal Free Press . Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  20. 1 2 "Amit Shah inaugurates, lays foundations of 21 projects: 08th jan23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
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