List of deities in Sanamahism explained

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.

Principle deities

There are five main deities in Sanamahism:

• Atingkok Maru Sidaba, creator of the universe.
• Lainingthou Sanamahi, protector and guardian of mankind.^[1]
• Pakhangba, dragon god, ruler of the universe and destroyer of evil. A son of Salailen and Leimarel Sidabi.
• Leimarel Sidabi, principle goddess of earth, nature and household. Mother of all living beings. Consort of Salailen and the mother of Pakhangba.
• Imoinu, an incarnation of Leimarel, Goddess of household, hearth, family, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity.^{[2] [3]}

Guardians of the Directions

See 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.

Deities	Direction	Other attributes
	North east	God of polo, hockey, horses, sports and war. He rides on Samadon Ayangba, a flying horse, created by Sanamahi.
	South west	Ruling deity of the Moirang dynasty.
	North west	Founder of human civilization. He rides on a white elephant named Samu Laishaa Angoupa who guards the outskirts of Mount Koubru.^[4]
	South east	God of the underwater world.
	North	Goddess of snows, hills and mountains. Consort of Koupalu and the mother of Loyalakpa and Nungthel Leima.^[5]
	East	Consort of Panthoibi.
	South	God of streams, rivers, and gorges.
	West	Guardian God of the Western direction. Son of Koupalu and Kounu.
Salailen Sidaba	Zenith
	Nadir	King of the Underworld and the God of the Death.

Incarnations of Leimarel Sidibi

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

• Hikubi Yaikubi, Goddess of gems.
• Irai Leima, Goddess of water, daughter of Salailen, the sky God, who sent her down to earth to bring prosperity to human civilization.^[6]
• Leimarel Sidabi
• Panthoibi Goddess of civilization, courage, fertility, handicraft, love, victory, warfare and wisdom. A consort of God Nongpok Ningthou.^[7]
• Ngaleima, Goddess of fish and dweller in the underwater world. A daughter of Salailen, who sent her to earth to bring prosperity to humanity.
• Nongthang Leima, Goddess of enchantment, seduction, thunder, and lightning. Created from the dazzling eyes of Salailen to seduce Pakhangba.
• Phouoibi, Goddess of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, rice, harvests, and wealth. A daughter of Salailen sent to earth to bring prosperity.
• Pithai Khongdaibi, Goddess of motherhood.
• Silreima, Goddess of work and occupation.
• Thumleima, Goddess of salt; a daughter of Salailen.
• Yumjao Leima, mother goddess of house, household, royalty, and power.

Apokpa (ancestral deities)

See 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).

Celestial gods

See main article: Meitei mythology. According to the Khenchonglol the Sun, Moon, seven planets, and are twenty seven stars which are referred to as deities

• Nongmaiching (Sun)
• Ningthoukaba (Moon)
• Leipakpokpa (Mars)
• Yumsakeisa (Mercury)
• Sagolsen (Jupiter)
• Irai (Venus)
• Thangja (Saturn)
• Shakok (Uranus)
• Shamei (Neptune)

• Sajik (Arietis)
• Thaba (Musca)
• Khongjom Nubi (Pleiades)
• Apaknga (Lunar mansions)
• Sachung Telheiba (A Orionis)
• Likla Saphaba (Orion)
• Chingcharoibi (G Geminorum)
• Chungshennubi (Cancer)

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.

Gods of the Underworld

• Laikhurembi, Goddess of argument, justice, good counsel, divine law, order, retribution and secrecy. Queen of the Underworld kingdom and a consort of God Thongalen.
• Lainaotabi, Goddess of weaving, magic, and witchcraft, a consort of God Thongalen and later a concubine of Poireiton.
• Thongak Lairembi, gatekeeper of the Underworld Kingdom and consort of Thongalen.
• Thongalen, King of the Underworld and the God of Death.

Umang Lai

See main article: 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.

• Nongshaba, Lion God who protects humanity from evils. A son of Salailen.
• Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi, Queen of Heaven.
• Mongba Hanba, a forest God associated with healing.
• Haoreima, Goddess of tragic love and separation, disease, souls and spirits.
• Ichum Lairembi, presiding goddess of the Khurkhul region.
• Koujeng Leima, a consort of God Koupalu and one of the nine goddesses who participated in the festival of Thangjing.
• Nungthel Leima, Goddess of the first villager, daughter of Koupalu and Kounu.
• Taoroinai, serpentine dragon god from the Moon.

Craft deities

• Lainaotabi, Goddess of weaving, magic, and witchcraft, a consort of God Thongalen and later a concubine of Poireiton.
• Pisatao, God of architecture, artisans, forges, handicrafts, and metallurgy.
• Khamlangba, God of iron, mining, metallurgy, hunting, and war.

Bird and animal goddesses

• Nganu Leima, Goddess of waterfowl.
• Khunu Leima, Goddess of pigeons and doves.
• Shapi Leima, Goddess of rodents.

Agricultural deities

• Panam Ningthou, igniter of the first fire and the divine protector of crops (especially rice) from hailstorms and thunder.
• Phou Ningthou, god of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, rice, and harvests.
• Pureiromba, giver of rain and agricultural prosperity, ancestral deity of the Angom clan.
• Phouoibi, Goddess of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, rice, harvests, and wealth.

Lake and river goddesses

There are various Lake and river guardian goddesses.

• Loktak Ima of Loktak Lake
• Pumlenpat Lairembi of Pumlenpat Lake
• Thongjarok Lairembi of Thongjaorok River
• Iril Lairembi of Iril River
• Imphal Turel Lairembi of Imphal River
• Kongba Turel Lairembi of Kongba River

Market goddesses

See 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.

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

See also

• PuYa
• Sanamahi creation myth

Bibliography

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: How the name Sanamahi came into existence. www.e-pao.net.
2. Web site: Meiteis celebrate Emoinu.
3. Web site: Ima Emoinu Irat thouni being observed across Manipur . Jitendra . (Admin). Impact TV.
4. Book: Prakash, Col Ved. Encyclopaedia of North-East India. 2007. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 978-81-269-0706-9. en.
5. Book: Ibemhal, Thounaojam Chanu. Haoreima Shambubi. 2000. 222. mni.
6. Book: Neelabi, sairem. Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul. 2006. 99.
7. Web site: Panthoibi celebrations under way. www.telegraphindia.com.