Wangpulen Explained

Type:Meitei
Wangpulen
Deity Of:water, rain, flood, disease
Member Of:Lainingthous and Maikei Ngaakpa Lais
Other Names:Khana Chaoba
Affiliation:Meitei mythology and Sanamahism
Cult Center:Sugnu
Abode:underwater world
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Artefacts:-->
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Consort:Shangnu
Texts:Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok
Gender:Male
Greek Equivalent:Poseidon, Oceanus
Region:Manipur
Ethnic Group:Meitei ethnicity
Festivals:Lai Haraoba

Wangpulen is the god of water, rain, flood, disease and sickness in Meitei mythology and Sanamahism.He is the ruler of the underwater world.[1] [2] [3] He is the Lord of the rivers.[4] The guardianship of the south eastern direction is alluded to Wangbren and the other directions to Koupalu (north west), Marjing (north east) and Thangjing (south west).[4] [5] He is one of the Umang Lais.[6] [7]

He has a strong connection with the Anāl Naga people for marrying a lady from Khullen village.[8] [9] Among the cult centres dedicated to him, the one at Sugnu is the most significant in Meitei pantheon.[4] [10]

Description

In the Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok Puya, Wangbren is called Khana Chaopa Wangpulen. According to the text, He is one of the seven Laipungthous and one of the manifestations of the Supreme God, Ipung Loinapa Apakpa.[11]

Mythology

Once Wangpulen went to the village of the Anāl people, disguising Himself as a human. He fell in love with a beautiful girl, Shangnu. The maiden was also attracted to helps good looks. The girl's affair with a stranger angered the community. The young men of the village challenged Wangbren to fight. There were competitions in race, stone throwing, and archery. If he failed, he would be killed. But he won all the challenges, and he took Shangnu away to his divine abode.[9] [12]

Worship

Whenever anyone is drowned, Wangpulen is worshipped according to the traditional rites and rituals. They did so in a belief that there will be no further deaths in water. Whenever unusual flood water currents are seen, especially in rivers, He is worshipped by people to save them from drowning and other mishaps.[13]

If a drowned person's corpse is not recovered, then a portion of the trunk of palash tree is cremated. It is done in a belief that Wangpulen might have kept the corpse at a sacred place.[14]

Wangpulen is worshipped by offering fruits, flowers and kabok. The rites and rituals are performed by the maibas. It is to ward off the diseases, illness or sickness caused by the water god. Examples include skin diseases, cold and cough, diarrhoea, etc.[2]

Cults and Shrines

A sacred shrine dedicated to Wangpulen still exists today in the Sugnu village. Annually, the non-Christian Anal villagers give offerings to their priest. The priest took and offer the articles to the God in Sugnu.[10]

Inside the Kangla, the State Government of Manipur is to renovate and reconstruct the holy altars dedicated to God Wangpulen and other deities.[15]

In 2010, a temple dedicated to God Wangpulen was constructed at Wangoi, Manipur. The temple building construction costs .[16]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino. The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. 2002. Mittal Publications. 978-81-7099-849-5. en.
  2. Book: Chaudhury, Sukant Kumar. Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Development. 2006-01-01. Mittal Publications. 978-81-8324-132-8. en.
  3. Book: Roy, L. Somi. And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold. 2021-06-21. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. 978-93-91149-65-9. en.
  4. Book: Feminism in a traditional society : women of the Manipur Valley. archive.org. 1984 . 116. 9780706919677 . Chaki-Sircar . Manjusri . Shakti Books .
  5. Book: Modern Practices in North East India: History, Culture, Representation. Dzüvichü. Lipokmar. Baruah. Manjeet. 2017-11-13. Taylor & Francis. 978-1-351-27134-9. en.
  6. Book: Ghosh, G. K.. Bamboo: The Wonderful Grass. 2008. APH Publishing. 978-81-313-0369-6. en.
  7. Book: Tree symbol worship in India; a new survey of a pattern of folk-religion. archive.org. 1965 . 88. Calcutta, Indian Publications .
  8. Web site: Wangbren-Shangnu legend testifies age-old hill-valley bond. e-pao.net.
  9. Web site: WANGBREN-SHANGNU LEGEND TESTIFIES AGE-OLD HILL-VALLEY BOND. www.pothashang.in. 6 November 2017 .
  10. Book: Miri, Sujata. Rationality and Tribal Thought. 2004. Mittal Publications. 978-81-7099-912-6. en.
  11. Book: Singh, L. Bhagyachandra. A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. 1991. 63.
  12. Book: Folktales of Manipur. archive.org. 2014 . 185–187.
  13. Book: Raatan, T.. Encyclopaedia of North-east India. 2004. Gyan Publishing House . 978-81-7835-274-9. en.
  14. Book: Sacred and Magico-Religious Plants of India. Sood. S. K.. Thakur. V.. Lakhanpal. T. N.. 2005-04-01. Scientific Publishers. 978-93-87741-46-1. en.
  15. Book: Mehrotra, Deepti Priya. Burning Bright Irom Sharmila. 2009-07-08. Penguin UK. 978-81-8475-153-6. en.
  16. Web site: Ibudhou Wangbran Khana Chaoba temple inaugurated. e-pao.net.