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The sacred idols of God Pakhangba and his divine consort kept inside the Iputhou Pakhangba Laishang (Meitei for 'Lord Pakhangba Temple') in the Kangla Fort in Imphal

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).

List of deities

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (June 2022)
Deities Meitei transliteration(s) Aliases Meitei transliteration(s) Description
Atingkok Maru Sidaba
(Old Manipuri: Atingkok Malu Sitapa)
ꯑꯇꯤꯡꯀꯣꯛ ꯃꯔꯨ ꯁꯤꯗꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯑꯇꯤꯡꯀꯣꯛ ꯃꯂꯨ ꯁꯤꯇꯄ)
Sidaba Mapu
(Old Manipuri: Sitapa Mapu)
ꯁꯤꯗꯕ ꯃꯄꯨ
(Old Manipuri: ꯁꯤꯇꯄ ꯃꯄꯨ)
He is the Creator of Universe. He's the foremost breeder of all the living souls.
Haoreima
(Old Manipuri: Haoleima)
ꯍꯥꯎꯔꯩꯃ
(Old Manipuri: ꯍꯥꯎꯂꯩꯃ)
She is the goddess of tragic love and separation, diseases, illnesses, souls and spirits.
Ichum Lairembi
(Old Manipuri: Ichum Lailempi)
ꯏꯆꯨꯝ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ
(Old Manipuri: ꯏꯆꯨꯝ ꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ)
Echum Lairembi
(Old Manipuri: Echum Lailempi), Eechum Lairembi
(Old Manipuri: Eechum Lailempi)
ꯏꯆꯨꯝ ꯂꯥꯢꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ
(Old Manipuri: ꯏꯆꯨꯝ ꯂꯥꯢꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ)
A presiding goddess of Khurkhul region of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur)
Imoinu ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ (ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ) Emoinu ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ (ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ) She is the Goddess of household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity.[1]
Irai Leima ꯏꯔꯥꯢ ꯂꯩꯃ Ireima/Ereima ꯏꯔꯩꯃ (ꯏꯂꯩꯃ) She is the Goddess of water, daughter of Salailen (Soraren), the sky God, who sent her down to earth to prosper the human civilization.[2][3][4][5]
Khamlangba
(Old Manipuri: Khamlangpa)
ꯈꯝꯂꯥꯡꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯈꯝꯂꯥꯡꯄ)
Khaplangba
(Old Manipuri: Khaplangpa)
ꯈꯞꯂꯥꯡꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯈꯞꯂꯥꯡꯄ)
He is the God of iron, mining, metallurgy, steel manufacturing, hunting and war.
Khamnung Kikoi Louonbi ꯈꯝꯅꯨꯡ ꯀꯤꯀꯣꯢ ꯂꯧꯑꯣꯟꯕꯤ Nura Naothem Heibi ꯅꯨꯔꯥ ꯅꯥꯎꯊꯦꯝ ꯍꯩꯕꯤ She is the enchantress goddess of death who carries off the souls of people to the underworld. She is the consort of Thongalen. She's created and offered to Thongalen by Salailen, as a substitute of goddess Thongak Lairembi (Thongak Leima).[6][7]
Khoriphaba
(Old Manipuri: Kholiphapa)
ꯈꯣꯔꯤꯐꯥꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯈꯣꯂꯤꯐꯥꯄ)
Khoiriphaba
(Old Manipuri: Khoiliphapa)
ꯈꯣꯏꯔꯤꯐꯥꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯈꯣꯏꯂꯤꯐꯥꯄ)
He is the son of Sky God Salailen and Goddess Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi and is best known for performing Mukna Kangjei (Meitei for 'wrestling') with Loyalakpa in the Lai Haraoba festival. He is also known for being a player of Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo').
Khuman Pokpa ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ Khuman Apokpa ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ He is the Ancestor God of the Khuman clan and the God of the sunset and the night.
Khunu Leima ꯈꯨꯅꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ Khunureima ꯈꯨꯅꯨꯔꯩꯃ Goddess of pigeons and doves
Korouhanba
(Old Manipuri: Kolouhanpa)
ꯀꯣꯔꯧꯍꯟꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯀꯣꯂꯧꯍꯟꯄ)
Korou
(Old Manipuri: Kolou), Koirou
(Old Manipuri: Koilou)
ꯀꯣꯔꯧ
(Old Manipuri: ꯀꯣꯂꯧ), ꯀꯣꯏꯔꯧ
(Old Manipuri: ꯀꯣꯏꯂꯧ)
God of the sun and Master of the sky
Koujeng Leima
(Old Manipuri: Koucheng Leima)
ꯀꯧꯖꯦꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ
(Old Manipuri: ꯀꯧꯆꯦꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ)
She is a consort of God Koupalu (Koubru) and one of the nine Laibenthous (goddesses who participated in the festival of God Thangjing).
Koupalu ꯀꯧꯄꯂꯨ Koubaru, Koubru ꯀꯧꯕꯔꯨ, ꯀꯧꯕ꯭ꯔꯨ He is the Founder of the human civilization and also the Guardian of the North West direction, rides on a white elephant named Samu Laishaa Angoupa, who guards the outskirts of Mount Koubru according to legends.[8][9][10][11]
Kounu ꯀꯧꯅꯨ She is the Guardian of the Northern direction and the goddess of snows, hills and mountains. She is a consort of Koupalu and the mother of God Loyalakpa as well as Goddess Nungthel Leima.[12][13]
Laikhurembi
(Old Manipuri: Laikhulempi)
ꯂꯥꯢꯈꯨꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ
(Old Manipuri: ꯂꯥꯢꯈꯨꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ)
She is the Goddess of argument, justice, good counsel, divine law, order, retribution and secrecy. She is the Chief Queen of the Underworld kingdom and a consort of God Thongalen.
Lainaotabi ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯥꯎꯇꯥꯕꯤ Leinaotabi ꯂꯩꯅꯥꯎꯇꯥꯕꯤ She is the Goddess of charm, magic, sorcery, spell, weaving and witchcraft, a consort of God Thongalen and later a concubine of Poireiton (Thongalen's younger brother).
Lainingthou Sanamahi ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ (ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ) Asheeba ꯑꯁꯤꯕ He is the Supreme Guardian God of the mankind and the protector of the human household.[14]
Leimarel Sidabi
(Old Manipuri: Leimalel Sitapi)
ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ
(Old Manipuri: ꯂꯩꯃꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯇꯄꯤ)
Leimaren Sidabi
(Old Manipuri: Leimalen Sitapi)
ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯟ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ
(Old Manipuri: ꯂꯩꯃꯂꯦꯟ ꯁꯤꯇꯄꯤ)
She is the highest goddess associated with earth, nature and household. She is the mother of every living beings in the universe. She is a consort of Salailen and the mother of Pakhangba.
Lok Ningthou ꯂꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ He is the God of brooks, gorges, ravines, rills, rivulets, runnels and streams. He is the Guardian God of the Southern direction.
Loyalakpa ꯂꯣꯌꯥꯂꯥꯛꯄ Loiyalakpa ꯂꯣꯏꯌꯥꯂꯥꯛꯄ He is the Guardian God of the Western direction. He is a son of Koupalu and Kounu.
Marjing ꯃꯥꯔꯖꯤꯡ Marching ꯃꯥꯔꯆꯤꯡ He is the God of polo (Meitei: Sagol Kangjei), hockey (Meitei: Khong Kangjei), horses, sports and war. He rides on Samadon Ayangba, a flying horse, created by God Sanamahi.
Mongba Hanba
(Old Manipuri: Mongpa Hanpa)
ꯃꯣꯡꯕ ꯍꯟꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯃꯣꯡꯄ ꯍꯟꯄ)
He is a forest God associated with healing.
Ngaleima ꯉꯥꯂꯩꯃ Nga Leima, Ngareima ꯉꯥ ꯂꯩꯃ, ꯉꯥꯔꯩꯃ She is the Goddess of fish. She dwells in underwater world. She is a daughter of Salailen, who sent her down to earth to prosper the human civilization.
Nganu Leima ꯉꯥꯅꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ Nganureima ꯉꯥꯅꯨꯔꯩꯃ Goddess of ducks and waterfowls
Nongpok Ningthou ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ Sovereign of the East He is the Guardian God of the Eastern Direction and a consort of Goddess Panthoibi.
Nongshaba
(Old Manipuri: Nongshapa)
ꯅꯣꯡꯁꯥꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯅꯣꯡꯁꯥꯄ)
Nongsaba
(Old Manipuri: Nongsapa)
ꯅꯣꯡꯁꯥꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯅꯣꯡꯁꯥꯄ)
He is the Lion God associated with protection of mankind from evils. He is a son of Salailen.
Nongthang Leima ꯅꯣꯡꯊꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ She is the Goddess of enchantment, seduction, thunder and lightning. She's created from the dazzling eyes of Salailen, to seduce Haraba (Pakhangba), not to disturb further in the process of the creation of the universe.
Nungthel Leima ꯅꯨꯡꯊꯦꯜ ꯂꯩꯃ Nungthen Leima ꯅꯨꯡꯊꯦꯟ ꯂꯩꯃ Goddess of the first citizen of the human settlements, daughter of Koupalu (Koubru) and Kounu
Pakhangba
(Old Manipuri: Pakhangpa
ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯄ
He is the Dragon God associated with the protection of the universe. He is a son of God Salailen and Goddess Leimalen.
Panam Ningthou ꯄꯅꯝ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ He is the igniter of the first fire and the divine protector of crops (especially paddy) from hailstorm and thunder.
Panthoibi (Old Manipuri: Panthoipi) ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ (ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ) (Old Manipuri: ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯢꯄꯤ / ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯄꯤ) Nongpok Leima ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯂꯩꯃ She is the Goddess of civilization, courage, fertility, handicraft, love, victory, warfare and wisdom. She is a consort of God Nongpok Ningthou.
Phou Ningthou ꯐꯧ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ God of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, paddy, rice
Phouoibi
(Old Manipuri: Phouoipi)
ꯐꯧꯑꯣꯢꯕꯤ (ꯐꯧꯑꯣꯏꯕꯤ) Phoureima (Old Manipuri: Phouleima) ꯐꯧꯔꯩꯃ
(Old Manipuri: ꯐꯧꯂꯩꯃ)
She is the Goddess of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, paddy, rice and wealth. She is a daughter of Salailen, who sent her down to earth to prosper the human civilization.
Pisatao ꯄꯤꯁꯥꯇꯥꯎ Pishatao ꯄꯤꯁꯥꯇꯥꯎ He is the God of architecture, artisans, forge, handicrafts, metallurgy and skills.
Pureiromba
(Old Manipuri: Puleilompa)
ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯄꯨꯂꯩꯂꯣꯝꯄ)
Pureilomba
(Old Manipuri: Puleilompa)
ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯂꯣꯝꯕ
(Old Manipuri: ꯄꯨꯂꯩꯂꯣꯝꯄ)
Giver of rain and agricultural prosperity, ancestral deity of the Angom clan
Shapi Leima ꯁꯄꯤ ꯂꯩꯃ Shabi Leima, Shabireima, Sapi Leima, Sabi Leima, Sabireima ꯁꯕꯤ ꯂꯩꯃ, ꯁꯕꯤꯔꯩꯃ Goddess of rodents
Taoroinai
(Old Manipuri: Taoloinai)
ꯇꯥꯑꯣꯔꯣꯏꯅꯥꯏ
(Old Manipuri: ꯇꯥꯑꯣꯂꯣꯏꯅꯥꯏ)
Tauroinai
(Old Manipuri: Tauloinai)
ꯇꯥꯎꯔꯣꯏꯅꯥꯏ
(Old Manipuri: ꯇꯥꯎꯂꯣꯏꯅꯥꯏ)
Serpentine Dragon God from the Moon
Thangching ꯊꯥꯡꯆꯤꯡ Thangjing ꯊꯥꯡꯖꯤꯡ He is the Guardian of the South East direction and the Progenitor of the Moilang clan.
Thongak Leima ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯛ ꯂꯩꯃ Thongak Lairembi, Langol Lairembi ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯛ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ, ꯂꯥꯡꯒꯣꯜ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ She is the Gatekeeper Goddess of the Entrance Gate to the Underworld Kingdom. She is a consort of God Thongalen.
Thongalen ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯟ Thongalel, Thongaren, Thongarel ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯜ, ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯔꯦꯟ, ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯔꯦꯜ He is the King of the Underworld kingdom (Meitei: Khamnung) and the God of the Death.
Thumleima ꯊꯨꯝꯂꯩꯃ Thumkhong Lairembi ꯊꯨꯝꯈꯣꯡ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ She is the Goddess of salt, who dwells in salt brines. She is a daughter of God Salailen.
Wangpulen ꯋꯥꯡꯄꯨꯂꯦꯟ Wangpuren, Wangbaren, Wangbren ꯋꯥꯡꯄꯨꯔꯦꯟ, ꯋꯥꯡꯕꯔꯦꯟ, ꯋꯥꯡꯕ꯭ꯔꯦꯟ He is the God of underwater world and the Guardian of the South East direction.
Yumjao Leima
(Old Manipuri: Yumchao Leima)
ꯌꯨꯝꯖꯥꯎ ꯂꯩꯃ
(Old Manipuri: ꯌꯨꯝꯆꯥꯎ ꯂꯩꯃ)
Yumjao Lairembi
(Old Manipuri: Yumchao Lailempi), Yumjao Lairemma
(Old Manipuri: Yumchao Lailemma)
ꯌꯨꯝꯖꯥꯎ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ
(Old Manipuri: ꯌꯨꯝꯆꯥꯎ ꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ), ꯌꯨꯝꯖꯥꯎ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯃ
(Old Manipuri: ꯌꯨꯝꯆꯥꯎ ꯂꯥꯏꯂꯦꯝꯃ)
She is the all time reigning divine queen mother and the mother goddess of house, household, royalty, rule and power.

References

  1. ^ "Meiteis celebrate Emoinu".
  2. ^ Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul. p. 99.
  3. ^ Gassah, L. S. (1998). Traditional Institutions of Meghalaya: A Case Study of Doloi and His Administration. Regency Publications. ISBN 978-81-86030-49-3.
  4. ^ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  5. ^ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1997). The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-259-0416-8.
  6. ^ Religion and Culture of Manipur - Page 25 - Moirangthem Kirti Singh · 1988
  7. ^ A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. 1991. p. 109.
  8. ^ Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.
  9. ^ Singh, N. Tombi (1972). Manipur: A Study. Available with Raj Stores.
  10. ^ Brara, N. Vijaylakshmi (1998). Politics, Society, and Cosmology in India's North East. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2.
  11. ^ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  12. ^ Ibemhal, Thounaojam Chanu (2000). Haoreima Shambubi (in Manipuri). p. 222.
  13. ^ Neelabi, sairem (2006). Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul (in Manipuri). p. 42.
  14. ^ "How the name Sanamahi came into existence". www.e-pao.net.