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Sanamahism is the indigenous religion of the Meitei people. It originated in the Kingdom of Kangliepak, 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.
There are five main deities in Sanamahism:
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Main article: Meitei 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]
| Deities | Direction | Other attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Marjing (ꯃꯥꯔꯖꯤꯡ) | North east | God of polo, hockey, horses, sports and war. He rides on Samadon Ayangba, a flying horse, created by Sanamahi. |
| Thangjing (ꯊꯥꯡꯖꯤꯡ) | South west | Ruling deity of the Moirang dynasty. |
| Koupalu (ꯀꯧꯄꯂꯨ) | North west | Founder of human civilization. He rides on a white elephant named Samu Laishaa Angoupa who guards the outskirts of Mount Koubru.[4] |
| Wangpulen (ꯋꯥꯡꯄꯨꯂꯦꯟ) | South east | God of the underwater world. |
| Kounu (ꯀꯧꯅꯨ) | North | Goddess of snows, hills and mountains. Consort of Koupalu and the mother of Loyalakpa and Nungthel Leima.[5] |
| Nongpok Ningthou (ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ) | East | Consort of Panthoibi. |
| Lok Ningthou (ꯂꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ) | South | God of streams, rivers, and gorges. |
| Loyalakpa (ꯂꯣꯌꯥꯂꯥꯛꯄ) | West | Guardian 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. |
Leimarel Sidabi, the supreme goddess has incarnated several times in various forms with diverse attributes.
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Main article: Apokpa (deity type) |
The ancestral deities of every families and clans were called Apokpa. They are worshipped by their respective families (Yumnak) and clans (Yek Salai).
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Main article: Meitei mythology |
According to the Khenchonglol the Sun, Moon, seven planets, and are twenty seven stars which are referred to as deities
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.
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Main articles: Umang Lai and Sacred groves of India |
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.
There are various Lake and river guardian goddesses.
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Main article: Market goddesses |
People worshipped one goddess for each market area considering the spirit of the goddess as the protector, guardian of the region.
