) , deity_of = Goddess of earth, nature and household , member_of = Imung Lais , image = Relief art depicting Salailen (Salailel), the Supreme God, creating Leimalen (Leimalel), the first female being in the universe, according to ancient Meitei mythology and religion of Kangleipak (Manipur).jpg , alt = , caption = A

relief Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces are bonded to a solid background of the same material. The term '' relief'' is from the Latin verb ''relevo'', to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that th ...

depicting the creation of goddess Leimalen (Leimalel) by Salailen (Salailel), the Supreme God , other_names = * Malem Leima * Leimaren Sidabi ( omp, Leimalen Sitapi) , hiro = , Old_Norse = , script_name = Ancient Meitei , script =

, affiliation =

Meitei mythology Meitei mythology or Manipuri mythology ( mni, Meitei Mi Lai Tingi Wari) is a collection of myths, belonging to the religious and cultural traditions of the Meitei people, the predominant ethnic group of Manipur. It is associated with trad ...

(

Manipuri mythology Meitei mythology or Manipuri mythology ( mni, Meitei Mi Lai Tingi Wari) is a collection of myths, belonging to the religious and cultural traditions of the Meitei people, the predominant ethnic group of Manipur. It is associated with trad ...

) and Meitei religion (

Sanamahism () , native_name_lang = mni , image = The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg , imagewidth = , alt = , caption = The Symbol of Sanamahism (Source: Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya) , ...

) , cult_center = , abode = Sanamahi Kachin ( Lainingthou Kachin) , planet = , weapon = , battles = , artifacts = Water pot (Isaiphu or Esaiphu) , animals =

Taoroinai ) , deity_of = Serpentine Dragon God of the MoonHistory of Modern Manipur, 1826-1949 - Page 190 - Lal Dena · 1991 , member_of = Meitei dragons , image = File:Leithak Leikharol.jpg , alt = , caption = Dragon God ...

, symbol = Water pot (Isaiphu or Esaiphu) , adherents = , height = , age = , tree = , day = , color = , number = , consort = Salailen (Soraren) , parents = , siblings = , children = Sanamahi (foster) and Pakhangba (biological) , predecessor = , successor = , army = , mount = , texts =

Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok Puya The Puyas ( mni, ꯄꯨꯌꯥ) are archaic Meitei language manuscripts. They encompass a wide spectrum of themes including genealogy, literature, history, royalties, administration, creation and cosmology, philosophy, poetry, religious beliefs, ...

, Leithak Leikharol, Leisemlon, Sakok Lamlen and

many others Many may refer to: * grammatically plural in number *an English quantifier used with count nouns indicating a large but indefinite number of; at any rate, more than a few ;Place names * Many, Moselle, a commune of the Moselle department in Franc ...

, gender = Female , Greek_equivalent =

Gaia In Greek mythology, Gaia (; from Ancient Greek , a poetical form of , 'land' or 'earth'),, , . also spelled Gaea , is the personification of the Earth and one of the Greek primordial deities. Gaia is the ancestral mother—sometimes parthen ...

, Roman_equivalent =

Terra Terra may often refer to: * Terra (mythology), primeval Roman goddess * An alternate name for planet Earth, as well as the Latin name for the planet Terra may also refer to: Geography Astronomy * Terra (satellite), a multi-national NASA scienti ...

, Etruscan_equivalent = , Christian_equivalent = , Slavic_equivalent = , Hinduism_equivalent = , Canaanite_equivalent = , equivalent1_type = , equivalent1 = , equivalent2_type = , equivalent2 = , region =

Ancient Kangleipak The Manipur Kingdom was an ancient independent kingdom at the India–Burma frontier that was in subsidiary alliance with British India from 1824, and became a princely state in 1891. It bordered Assam Province in the west and Britis ...

( Antique Manipur) , ethnic_group =

Meitei ethnicity The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...

, festivals =

Lai Haraoba Lai Haraoba is a festival associated with the Meitei people celebrated to please the Umang Lai, the traditional deities of Sanamahism. Translated, Lai Haraoba means ''merry making of the Gods'' in Meiteilon. In this festival, the people worship ...

Leimarel Sidabi ( mni, ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ) or Leimalel Sitapi ( mni, ꯂꯩꯃꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯇꯄꯤ) is a goddess in

and the

religion Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatur ...

( Antique Manipur). She is the highest female divinity in the Meitei pantheon. She is the goddess of earth, of nature and the household. She is revered as the mother of every living being in the universe. Presently, the market complex number 1 is named after her at the

Ima Keithel ) , other_name = , nickname = Nupi Keithel ( en, Women's Market) Khwairamband Keithel ( en, Khwairamband Market) , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , ima ...

(Mothers' market), the world's only market run exclusively by women. AMA Symbol of Meetei Sanamahism

Etymology

The Meitei word "Leimarel" (ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ) or "Leimaren" (ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯟ) means "

queen Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...

" or "

goddess A goddess is a female deity. In many known cultures, goddesses are often linked with literal or metaphorical pregnancy or imagined feminine roles associated with how women and girls are perceived or expected to behave. This includes themes of s ...

" in English. The word "Leimarel" (or "Leimaren") can be broken into the syllables "Lei" (ꯂꯩ), "Ma" (ꯃ) and "-ren" (-ꯔꯦꯟ) or "-rel" (-ꯔꯦꯜ). "Lei" means

land Land, also known as dry land, ground, or earth, is the solid terrestrial surface of the planet Earth that is not submerged by the ocean or other bodies of water. It makes up 29% of Earth's surface and includes the continents and various islan ...

earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surfa ...

. "Ma" means

mother ] A mother is the female parent of a child. A woman may be considered a mother by virtue of having given childbirth, birth, by raising a child who may or may not be her biological offspring, or by supplying her ovum for fertilisation in the cas ...

. "-ren" (or "-rel") means wikt:excellent, excellent. The Meitei word "Sidabi" can be broken into "Si" (ꯁꯤ), "-da" (ꯗ) and "-bi" (-ꯕꯤ). "Si" ("See") means ''"to

die Die, as a verb, refers to death, the cessation of life. Die may also refer to: Games * Die, singular of dice, small throwable objects used for producing random numbers Manufacturing * Die (integrated circuit), a rectangular piece of a semicondu ...

"''. "-da" denotes negative meaning. "-bi" ("-bee") denotes feminine gender.

Description

Leimarel is the

eternal Eternal(s) or The Eternal may refer to: * Eternity, an infinite amount of time, or a timeless state * Immortality or eternal life * God, the supreme being, creator deity, and principal object of faith in monotheism Comics, film and television * ...

mother goddess. In ancient times, the ruling royal couples sat in the ''Laplen Ka'' (the central room). They faced the sacred spot of goddess Leimarel. It was believed that men and women originated from Leimarel's

womb The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', plural ''uteri'') or womb () is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more embryos until birth. The uter ...

. A house symbolises the Mother in traditional Meitei cosmic beliefs.

Mythology

The supreme creator Atingkok (alias Salailel) asked his two sons, Sanamahi and Pakhangba to run in a race around the world. The winner would become the ruler of the world. Sanamahi was stronger than his younger brother, Pakhangba. He started his journey. Pakhangba wept to his mother, Leimarel Sidabi. She told him the secret behind the throne of the universe. The secret is that going around the throne of the Supreme Being is equivalent to going around the universe. So, Pakhangba went around the Supreme Being, his father. Thus, he won the race and became the ruler of the universe. When Sanamahi returned home, he found his younger brother sitting on the throne. He got angry. He attacked Pakhangba. Pakhangba ran away. He hid himself among seven lairembis (celestial divine maidens). The Supreme Being intervened the situation. He brought peace of Sanamahi. He made Sanamahi as the king of the household of the mankind. At the same time, goddess Leimarel Sidabi became another Imung Lai (household deity), besides Sanamahi. According to some legends, goddess Ima Leimaren (lit. Mother Leimarel) takes care of the market. She brings peace and harmony by doing so. This tradition is still maintained by womenfolk. The women are considered as the descendents of the "Ima". During the infant world, the creator God

Atingkok Maru Sidaba "Sidaba Mapu" ( mni, ꯁꯤꯗꯕ ꯃꯄꯨ) (literally,''"Immortal God"'') or Salailel ( mni, ꯁꯂꯥꯢꯂꯦꯜ) is the Supreme God, Creator of the universe and the Sky God in Meitei mythology and religion. According to Meitei mythology, S ...

asked goddess Leimarel Sidabi to produce another goddess from herself. After the production, the new goddess was named as

Emoinu Imoinu or Emoinu ( mni, ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ) is a goddess associated with household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). She is frequently ...

(

Imoinu Imoinu or Emoinu ( mni, ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ) is a goddess associated with household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). She is frequently ...

), who was sent to earth as the guardian goddess of

humankind Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, ...

Texts

Several ancient texts (

PuYa Puya may refer to: * ''Puya'' (plant), in the family Bromeliaceae * Puya (river), in Russia * Puya, a variety of Guajillo chili * ''Puya'' (Meitei texts), traditional or mythological texts of the Meetei people * ''Culoepuya'' or ''Culo'e Puya'', V ...

s) write things about the goddess Leimarel ( omp, Leimalen). Some include the Leimaren Naoyom ( omp, Leimalen Naoyom), the Leimaren Langon ( omp, Leimalen Lang-ngon), the Leimaren Mingkhei ( omp, Leimalen Mingkhei), the Leimaren Shekning Lasat ( omp, Leimalen Shekning Laasat), the Leimaren Ungoiron ( omp, Leimalen Ungkoilon), besides other texts.

Worship

Leimarel Sidabi and her son Sanamahi are worshipped in the first room of every Meitei household. Goddess Leimarel doesn't want the ''Korou Anganba'' ( en, sunlight) in the morning. So, houses of Loi castes are mainly made facing southwards. She lives in water also. So, she is worshipped in an ''Isaiphu'' (an earthen pitcher or terracotta pot containing water). There are no images kept to represent the two deities inside their abode. A senior woman of a house fills the earthen pot of the goddess with fresh water. She does this after taking a holy bath. Fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and rice are offered. Prayers are also offered to protect the family members from every troubles. The maibas perform rites and rituals by chanting hymns dedicated to goddess Leimaren (ancestral mother goddess). It is generally done inside the house. Water, rice and flowers are mainly placed.

Shayon (incarnations)

Leimarel Sidabi is known for her various

incarnation Incarnation literally means ''embodied in flesh'' or ''taking on flesh''. It refers to the conception and the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form or the appearance of a god as a human. If capitalized, it is the union of divinit ...

in different forms possessing diverse

attribute Attribute may refer to: * Attribute (philosophy), an extrinsic property of an object * Attribute (research), a characteristic of an object * Grammatical modifier, in natural languages * Attribute (computing), a specification that defines a prope ...

s. The following are her incarnations:

Festivals

Goddess Leimarel Sidabi and her son Sanamahi are mainly worshipped in many religious occasions. Some are

Sajibu Cheiraoba Sajibu Nongma Pānba, also called Meetei Cheiraoba or Sajibu Cheiraoba, is the lunar new year festival of the people who follow the religion of Sanamahism in the Indian state of Manipur. The name Sajibu Nongma Pānba derives from the Manipur ...

and ''Saroi-Khangba''. Cheiraoba is the Meitei new year (Manipuri new year) festival. Saroi-Khangba is a religious event to please the evil spirits. * In the festival of Mera Chaorel Houba, God Lainingthou Sanamahi and goddess Leimarel Sidabi are worshipped in the famous

Sanamahi Temple Sanamahi Temple ( mni, ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯢꯁꯪ) or Sanamahi Sanglen ( mni, ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯁꯪꯂꯦꯟ) is a temple of Lainingthou Sanamahi, the supreme deity of Sanamahism. It is located in the Sanakhwa Yaima Kollup near Kangl ...

by offering fruits and vegetables. * In the Meitei festival of

, goddess Leimarel Sidabi is worshipped by offering her the uncooked rice by the devotees.

Pantheon

Goddess Leimarel Sidabi, besides being worshipped in

Manipur Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of Myanm ...

Assam Assam (; ) is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of . The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur ...

and

Tripura Tripura (, Bengali: ) is a state in Northeast India. The third-smallest state in the country, it covers ; and the seventh-least populous state with a population of 36.71 lakh ( 3.67 million). It is bordered by Assam and Mizoram to the east a ...

, has her pantheon in

Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...

and

Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, Joh ...

too. In Myanmar, one of the famous shrines of Ema Leimarel Sidabi is located at the Ye Ki Bauk village, where the

Meitei people The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...

worship her.

In Arts

Among the nine forms of musical rhythms (''Seisak''s) of

Pena (musical instrument) Pena is a string instrument, mono string instrument falling in the lute category, slightly similar to some of the traditional Indian stringed musical instruments such as the ravanahatha, ''ubo'' or the ''kenda''. It is the traditional musical in ...

, the ''Leimarel Sheisak'' is one. This singing style (tune) of Meitei tradition (Manipuri culture) is sung during the festival of

. In the novel ''The Tales of Kanglei Throne'', goddess Leimarel Sidabi is presented as Nongda Nongkhal Lembi.

Namesakes

In commerce

Ima Keithel ) , other_name = , nickname = Nupi Keithel ( en, Women's Market) Khwairamband Keithel ( en, Khwairamband Market) , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , ima ...

( en,

Mothers' Market ) , other_name = , nickname = Nupi Keithel ( en, Women's Market) Khwairamband Keithel ( en, Khwairamband Market) , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , ima ...

) is the world's only women run market. It has 3 major complexes. ''Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel'' is the Complex Number 1 of the market. It is followed by Imoinu Ima Keithel (Complex Number 2) and Phouoibi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 3). This 500 year old market is in the center of

Imphal Imphal ( Meitei pronunciation: /im.pʰal/; English pronunciation: ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. The metropolitan centre of the city contains the ruins of Kangla Palace (also known as Kangla Fort), the royal seat of the fo ...

In geography

The ''Leimarel Hill'' is a hill in

. Trekkers go here for panaromic viewing of 360 degree of

Loktak Lake , image = , caption = Different scenes of the Loktak lake of Manipur , alt = View of Loktak Lake and Phumdis , image_bathymetry = , caption_bathymetry = , location = Manipur , coords ...

References

Bibliography

Ariba Meiteigee Seitha by Gourachandra, Mayanglambam

Kangleikhol January 1988 by Kangjia, Ng

Leimarel Mingkhei by Bhogeshawr, Oinam

Yimpallon by Singh, Wakhemcha Tomba

External links

Internet Archive, Leimarel

E-pao, LeimarelJournal on Sanamahism religion
(read 5th paragraph )
celebrates-mera-chaoren-houba/ Celebrating Sanamahism festival

NATURE WORSHIP
{{Sanamahi1 Creator goddesses Earth goddesses Leima Meitei gods and goddesses Mother goddesses Names of God in Sanamahism Nature goddesses Sanamahism