Leimarel Sidabi
Leimarel Sidabi (Meitei: ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ) or Leimalel Sitapi (Meitei: ꯂꯩꯃꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯇꯄꯤ) is the highest goddess in Manipuri religion and mythology.[2] She is the goddess of earth, nature, and mother goddess of all creations in the entire Universe.[2] She is the consort of Lord Atingkok Maru Sidaba (ꯑꯇꯤꯡꯀꯣꯛ ꯃꯔꯨ ꯁꯤꯗꯕ) and mother of Lainingthou Sanamahi (ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ) and Pakhangba (ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ).[2][3] [4]
Leimarel Sidabi ꯂꯩꯃꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯇꯄꯤ | |
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Mother Goddess of Earth, Creation, Nature, and Household | |
Member of Meitei Manipuri deities | |
Other names | Malem Leima (ꯃꯥꯂꯦꯝ ꯂꯩꯃ), Nongda Nongkhal Lembi (ꯅꯣꯡꯗꯥ ꯅꯣꯡꯈꯜ ꯂꯦꯝꯕꯤ), Lam Leima (ꯂꯝ ꯂꯩꯃ), Malem Ima (ꯃꯥꯂꯦꯝ ꯏꯃꯥ), etc. |
Affiliation | Sanamahism and Manipuri mythology |
Abode | Sanamahi Kachin (ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯀꯥꯆꯤꯟ)(South West corner of every household) |
Planet | Earth |
Mantra | Ha! Ima Leimarel Sidabi! Khurumjariye! ꯍꯥ! ꯏꯃꯥ ꯂꯩꯃꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯇꯄꯤ! ꯈꯨꯔꯨꯝꯖꯔꯤꯌꯦ! |
Symbol | Full Water Pot (Isaiphu) |
Mount | Taoroinai Taangja Leela (A serpentine dragon which carries Leimarel on its back on water) or Lotus |
Texts | Leishemlol Puya, Pudin, Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok Puya Leithak Leikharol, PuYa etc. |
Festivals | Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba (ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯑꯍꯣꯡ ꯈꯣꯡ ꯆꯤꯡꯕ), Sajibu Cheiraoba Mera Chaorel Houba |
Personal information | |
Consort | Atingkok Maru Sidaba[1] |
Children | Lainingthou Sanamahi(foster son) and Pakhangba |
Greek equivalent | Gaia |
Roman equivalent | Terra (mythology) |
Hinduism equivalent | Bhumi |
Presently, a market complex is named after her at the Khwairamband Bazar, the world's only market run exclusively by women.
Shayon (incarnations)
Leimarel Sidabi is known for her various incarnation in different forms possessing diverse attributes.
The following are her incarnations:
- Panthoibi:She is the goddess of courage, war and nostalgia.
- Pithai Khongdaibi: She is the mother goddess of all.
- Nga Leima: She is the goddess of fish and aquatic life.
- Thumleima: She is the goddess of salt and nutrients.
- Ereima: She is the goddess of water and bodies of water.
- Hikubi Yaikubi: She is the goddess of gems and wealth.
- Silleima: She is the goddess of work and occupations.
- Emoinu: She is the goddess of wealth, prosperity and happiness.
- Phouoibi: She is the goddess of paddy, prosperity and harvest.
- Nongthang Leima: She is the goddess of thunder and rain.
- Chang Ning Leima: She is the goddess and consort of Lord Khoriphaba, the prince of sky kingdom.
Legends
During the infant world, the creator God Atingkok Maru Sidaba asked goddess Leimarel Sidabi to produce another goddess from herself. After the production of the new goddess, she was named as Emoinu, who's sent to earth as the guardian deity of the mankind.[5]
Festivals
- After a long gap of 350 years, the Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba festival, dedicated to Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi is celebrated once more in the busy streets of Imphal city.[6][7][8]
- In the festival of Mera Chaorel Houba, God Lainingthou Sanamahi and goddess Leimarel Sidabi are worshipped in the famous Sanamahi Temple by offering fruits and vegetables.[9]
- In the Manipuri festival of Sajibu Cheiraoba, goddess Leimarel Sidabi is worshipped by offering her the uncooked rice by the devotees.[10]
Pantheon
Goddess Leimarel Sidabi, besides being worshipped in Manipur, Assam and Tripura, she has her pantheon in Bangladesh and Myanmar.
In Myanmar, one of the famous pantheon of Ema Leimarel Sidabi is located at the Ye Ki Bauk village, where the Meitei people worshipped her.[11][12]
In popular culture
- In the novel The Tales of Kanglei Throne, goddess Leimarel Sidabi is presented as Nongda Nongkhal Lembi.
See also
References
- "Atiya Guru Sidaba in India". www.india9.com.
- "The Manipuri Lais". manipuri.itgo.com.
- Singh, Dr Th Suresh (June 2, 2014). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. ISBN 9789384318000 – via Google Books.
- Naokhomba, Naorem (2019-02-21). "Meitei Religion: An Emic Perspective" – via researchgate.net.
- "Emoinu".
- "Sanamahee Ahong Khong Chingba observed after 350 years". 28 June 2018.
- "Sanamahi Ahong-Khong Chingba ritual to be organised :: Manipur News | Manipur Daily | Poknapham - Manipuri News!".
- "Ancient Manipur ritual held".
- "People celebrates Mera Chaoren Houba". 21 September 2017.
- "Wakching Nongma Panba Cheiraoba : Offering uncooked food items to Ema Leimarel Sidabi at Awang Sekmai :: 10 January 2016 ~ Pictures from Manipur".
- "Myanmar Meetei mou at Ema Leimarel Sidabi temple at Ye Ki Bauk village Myanmar 20170220".
- "'Ema Leimarel Sidabi' at 'ye ki bauk' earlier known as Meetei khul, Amarapur District, Myanmar :: December 2016 ~ Pictures from Manipur".