List of deities in Sanamahism

Sanamahism (Meitei religion) is a polytheistic religion with thousands of deities, gods and goddesses of varying power, quality, features, and character.

Symbol of Sanamahism
Further information: Meitei deities

The religion originated in the Kingdom of Manipur, and is still practiced in modern Manipur, India, distinct from both the Indosphere and the Sinosphere.

The following is a list of deities, gods, goddesses, demigods, mortals, immortals and a few mythical creatures. This does not include the full list of mythical creatures of ancient Meitei folklore, for which see List of creatures in Meitei folklore.

Main deities
Further information: Meitei deities

There are five main deities in the ancient Meitei religion and Meitei mythology, namely:

Among them, Lainingthou Sanamahi, Leimarel Sidabi and Imoinu Ahongbi are the household deities worshipped.

Atingkok
Main articles: Sanamahi creation myth, Atingkok Maru Sidaba, and Kuru (mythology)

The creator of Universe in Sanamahism is believed to be Lord Atingkok Maru Sidaba, father of Lainingthou Sanamahi and Pakhangba.[6]

Lainingthou
Main article: Lainingthou Sanamahi

The term "Lainingthou" literally means King of Gods or the Divine King and it is applied to various deities such as Lainingthou Khoriphaba, Lainingthou Soraren, etc. However, it is generally used to refer Lainingthou Sanamahi.[7]

Pakhangba
Main article: Pakhangba

There are several serpent deities in the pantheon. However, the supreme mosy one is Lord Pakhangba.[8]

Pakhangba, the serpent deity
Pakhangba Temple, Kangla

Shayon (incarnations)
Main article: Leimarel Sidabi

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

Goddesses Romanization Attributes
ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ ꯑꯍꯣꯡꯕꯤ Imoinu Ahongbi[9] Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ Panthoibi[10] Goddess of war, wisdom and courage.
ꯐꯧꯑꯣꯢꯕꯤ Phouoibi Goddess of paddy, harvest and bounty.
ꯏꯔꯥꯢ ꯂꯩꯃ Ereima Goddess of water
ꯉꯥꯂꯩꯃ - ꯉꯥꯔꯩꯃ Nga Leima or Ngareima Goddess of fish
ꯊꯨꯝꯂꯩꯃ Thumleima Goddess of salt
ꯅꯣꯡꯊꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ Nongthang Leima Goddess of charm, music, seduction, thunder and lightning.
ꯄꯤꯊꯥꯢ ꯈꯣꯡꯗꯥꯢꯕꯤ Pithai Khongdaibi Goddess of motherhood
ꯍꯤꯀꯨꯕꯤ ꯌꯥꯢꯀꯨꯕꯤ Hikubi Yaikubi Goddess of gems.
ꯁꯤꯜꯔꯩꯃ - ꯁꯤꯜꯂꯩꯃ Silreima or Silleima Goddess of work and occupation.

Celestial maidens
Main article: List of creatures in Meitei folklore

In Meitei mythology, there are seven prominent celestial maidens, which are referred to as either goddesses or nymphs.

Lai Nuraa Taret
Further information: Meitei mythology

The seven celestial maidens are considered as seven goddesses or "Lai Nuraa Taret ", the creation of the Lord Atingkok Maru Sidaba. They are the consorts of Lord Pakhangba and are the mothers of the seven clans, one for each.

Helloi Taret
Further information: Meitei mythology

The seven celestial maidens are considered as seven nymphs or "Helloi Taret ", who are the daughters of the Sky God Soraren. They are then believed to be spinsters.

Apokpa (ancestral deities)
Main articles: Apokpa and Meitei religion

In ancient Meitei religion, the ancestral deities of every families and clans were called Apokpa. They are worshipped by their respective families (Yumnak) and clans (Yek Salai).[11]

According to T.C. Hodson's book The Meitheis, the Meitei people are the only people who have a tradition of worshipping their ancestral deities in Manipur.[12]

Dragons in Meitei mythology
Main article: Dragons in Meitei mythology

The following is a list of a few dragons of Meitei mythology:

Dragon Deities Description
Pakhangba He's the Great dragon Lord of the universe.[13]
Kangla Sha He's the Protector of the Kangla Palace.
Lord Khamlangba He's a cousin of Lord Pakhangba.
Salailen Sidaba He's the Creator of the Universe, father of Lord Pakhangba. He can assume both human as well as dragon figures.[14]
Nongshaba He's a lion like dragon God, cousin of Lord Pakhangba.
Loktak Maru Sidaba He's the great dragon of the Loktak lake.
Samurou Lakpa He's a form of Lord Pakhangba.
Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba Dragon Lord of the ancient Moirang kingdom.
Tangja Leela Pakhangba The primitive ruler of the Kanglei world.
Nongda Lairel Pakhangba The great dragon Lord and the ruler of the Kangleipak kingdom.

Planet deities
Main article: Meitei mythology

According to a PuYa "Khenchonglol" (literally meaning, study of Heavenly bodies, Planets, Celestial bodies in the Ningthou Turel or Milky Way Galaxy of the Universe), there are nine Planets which are considered as deities. Even the Sun and the Moon are considered as planets in Meitei Philosophy.[15] They are as follows:

Deities Roman equivalent
Nongmaiching Sun
Ningthoukaba Moon
Leipakpokpa Mars
Yumsakeisa Mercury
Sagolsen Jupiter
Irai Venus
Thangja Saturn
Shakok Uranus
Shamei Neptune

Star deities
Further information: Meitei mythology

According to Khenchonglol, there are twenty seven stars which are referred to as deities, out of which the constellation Orion is the most significant.[16] They are as follows:

Umang Lai
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 each in Kanglei World. The term Umang Lai is also used to refer to the sacred abodes of the deities. Some of the significant ones are:

Directional gods
Main article: Meitei Guardians of the Directions

In Meitei religion and mythology, there are ten directions in Meitei philosophy, for which there are ten deities who are the protectors and the guardians of the respective directions.

Deities Directions
Marjing North East
Thangjing South West
Koubru North West
Wangbren South East
Kounu North
Nongpok Ningthou East
Lok Ningthou South
Loya Lakpa West
Salailen Sidaba Zenith
Thongalel Nadir

Local deities

River goddesses

There are various river goddesses worshipped by the followers of Sanamahism. The main rivers associated with these goddesses originated from Manipur.

Some of them are as follows:

  • Thongjarok Lairembi of Thongjaorok River
  • Iril Lairembi of Iril River
  • Imphal Turel Lairembi of Imphal River
  • Kongba Turel Lairembi of Kongba River

Lake goddesses

There are various Lake Goddesses worshipped by the followers of Sanamahism, considering the spirits as the guardian and protector of the periphery region of the lake. Some of the deities are:

Market goddesses

People worshipped one goddess for each market area considering the spirit of the goddess as the protector, guardian of the region. Some of the goddesses are as follows:

  • Pishum Keithel Lairembi of Pishumthong Market Region
  • Singjamei Keithel Lairembi of Singjamei Market Region.
  • Kongba Keithel Lairembi of Kongba Market Region

Lists in alphabetical order

Here's a lists of the deities in alphabetical order:

A

C

E

F
  • Fauoibi

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

S

T
  • Tampha Lairembi

U
  • Uningthou

W

Y

See also

References
  1. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#sanamahi
  2. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#pakhangba
  3. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#mapu
  4. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#leimaren
  5. "Ima Emoinu puja observed across Manipur". January 22, 2016 – via Business Standard.
  6. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#mapu
  7. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#sanamahi
  8. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#pakhangba
  9. (Admin), Jitendra. "Ima Emoinu Irat thouni being observed across Manipur". Impact TV.
  10. "Panthoibi celebrations under way". www.telegraphindia.com.
  11. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#apokpa
  12. The Meitheis, by T.C. Hodson, Akansha Publication, Kolkata, 1908
  13. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#pakhangba
  14. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#mapu
  15. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#planet
  16. http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#planet

Bibliography
  • The Meitheis, by T.C. Hodson, Akansha Publication, Kolkata, 1908
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