| Type: | Meitei |
| Phou Ningthou | |
| Deity Of: | God of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, rice[1] |
| Member Of: | agricultural deities |
| Other Names: | Phouningthou |
| Affiliation: | Sanamahism |
| Cult Centre: | --> |
| Abodes: | Paddy fields and granaries |
| World: | --> |
| Weapons: | --> |
| Artefacts: | --> |
| Symbol: | Rice plant |
| Colour: | --> |
| Consort: | Phouoibi |
| Children: | --> |
| Gender: | Male |
| Region: | Manipur) |
| Ethnic Group: | Meitei |
| Festivals: | Lai Haraoba |
Phou Ningthou is a deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur). He is the God and the divine male personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, rice paddies, rice and wealth.[1] [2] He is the consort of Phouoibi (Phouleima), the goddess of crops and agricultural fertility.[1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Phou Ningthou is worshipped with Phouoibi, the goddess of rice. Farmers prayed to the two deities for a doubling of the previous year's yield, after the harvest.[1]
Phoukourol (Phoukouron or Phougourol or Phougouron) is a sacred hymn to call the spirit of the paddy. It is generally sung during harvesting.[8] [9] It is done before the harvested crops are stored in the grain house.[10]
The Phou Kouba (calling the paddy/rice) ceremony is usually performed during mis-happenings to the farmers. Mis-happenings may be theft or burning of the paddy/rice, an animal like cow trespasses the threshing ground, etc. People perform the rites and rituals to induce the deity to stay at their places.[10]
Sareng (Wallago attu, helicopter catfish) with rice is the most important offering to the deity. It should be cooked with herbs and not with spices.[10]