A collection of myths from the cultural and religious traditions of the Meitei people, the largest ethnic group in Manipur, is known as Meitei mythology or Manipuri mythology. It is connected to Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of the Meitei.

Meitei myths, a component of both Meitei and Manipuri culture, explain various natural phenomena, the history of human civilization, and numerous other events. Most Meitei legends can be found in manuscripts written in Meitei or Manipuri.

Origin and Culture

The Northeastern India's state of Manipur is home to the Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people. Though a sizeable population has also moved to the other Indian states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, and Mizoram, the Meiteis have primarily lived in the Imphal Valley region of present-day Manipur.

The Tibeto-Burman language of the Meitei people is often referred to as the Manipuri language. One of India's recognized official languages, Meitei was added to the Constitution of India's Eighth Schedule in 1992.

Meitei was historically written in the local Meitei Mayek script. In the early eighteenth century, the script was changed by an alphabet based on the Bengali script. In recent decades, the Meitei Mayek script has had a comeback and may now be found on billboards, newspaper headlines, books, and other written materials.

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Sanamahism is a polytheistic religion with countless Deities, Gods, and Goddesses of every attribute, quality, power, etc. The Manipurosphere, which diverges from both the Indosphere and the Sinosphere, is where the religion started and is being practiced today.

Prime Deities

The religion of the Kanglei World is based on five main deities, namely:

Lainingthou Sanamahi - The destroyer and King of Gods

Pakhangba - Supreme God and the protector

Atingkok Maru Sidaba - Creator of the whole Universe

Leimarel Sidabi - Supreme Goddess

Imoinu Ahongbi - Goddess of Wealth and also the incarnation of Goddess Leimarel Sidabi

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Related Deities

In addition, thousands of other gods with a range of abilities exist in Kanglei World besides the main deities.

Lion deity- Nongshaba

Sun God- Korou Hanba

Polo God- Marjing

Rain and Thunder God - Wangbren

Sky God- Soraren

God of Rain and Natural disaster - Koubru

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Incarnation for Leimarel Sidabi

The greatest goddess, Leimarel Sidabi, has had many distinct shapes during her many incarnations.

Goddess of Wealth - Imoinu Ahongbi

War Goddess- Ayangleima Panthoibi

Goddess of Grain- Phouoibi

Water Goddess - Ereima

Goddess of Fish - Ngareima

Salt Goddess - Thumleima

Chang-ning Leima

Goddess of Thunder-Nongthang Leima

Mother Goddess - Pithai Khongdaibi

Goddess of Wealth- Hikubi Yaikubi

Goddess of Occupation- Silreima or Silleima

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Planet Deities

Nine planets are regarded as deities, according to a Meitei Manuscript called Khenchonglol, which translates as the study of Celestial bodies in the Ningthou Turel or Milky Way Galaxy of the Universe. In Meitei Philosophy, even the Moon and the Sun are regarded as planets. These are what they are:

Nongmaiching (Sun)

Ningthoukaba (Moon )

Leipakpokpa (Mars)

Yumsakeisa (Mercury)

Sagolsen (Jupiter)

Irai (Venus)

Thangja (Saturn)

Shakok (Uranus)

Shamei (Neptune)

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Deities of Stars

Khenchonglol claims that of the twenty-seven stars that are referred to as Deities, the Orion constellation is the most important. These are what they are:

Sajik (Areitis)

Thaba (Musca)

Khongjom Nubi (Pleiades)

Apaknga (Lunar, pauri, masion)

Sachung Telheiba (Orionis)

Likla Saphaba (Orion)

Chingcharoibi (Geminorum)

Chungshennubi (Canceri)

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