Leimarel Sidabi

Meetei Mayek
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Leimarel Sidabi
Goddess of earth, nature and household
Member of Imung Lais
A relief depicting the creation of Leimalen by Salailen, the Supreme God
Other names
  • Malem Leima
Meitei scriptꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
AbodeSanamahi Kachin[1]
AnimalsTaoroinai
SymbolWater pot[2]: 48 
TextsWakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok, Leithak Leikharol, Leisemlon, Sakok Lamlen and many others
GenderFemale
RegionManipur
Ethnic groupMeitei
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Personal information
ConsortSalailen (Soraren)
ChildrenSanamahi (foster) and Pakhangba (biological)
Equivalents
Greek equivalentGaia
Roman equivalentTerra

Leimarel Sidabi (Manipuri: ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ) or Leimalel Sitapi (Manipuri: ꯂꯩꯃꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯇꯄꯤ) is a goddess in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of 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.[2]: 48 [3][4]: 200 

Presently, the market complex number 1 is named after her at the Ima Keithel (Mothers' market), the world's only market run exclusively by women.[5][6][dubious – discuss]

Symbol with explanation

Description

Leimarel is the eternal mother goddess. In ancient times, the ruling royal couples sat in the laplen ka (central room), facing the sacred place of Leimarel. It was believed that men and women originated from Leimarel's womb. A house symbolises the Mother in traditional Meitei cosmic beliefs.[7]

Mythology

The supreme creator Atingkok 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).[8][2]: 48 [8]

According to some legends, Ima Leimaren (mother Leimarel) takes care of the market. She brings peace and harmony by doing so. This tradition is still maintained by women, who are thought of as the descendants of the Ima.[9]

During the infant world, the creator God Atingkok Maru Sidaba asked Leimarel Sidabi to produce another goddess from herself. After the production, the new goddess was named as Emoinu, who was sent to earth as the guardian goddess of humankind.[10]

Texts

Several ancient texts (puyas) contain information about Leimarel, such as Leimaren Naoyom, the Leimaren Langon, the Leimaren Mingkhei the Leimalen Mingkhei, the Leimaren Shekning Lasat, and the Leimaren Ungoiron.[3]: 137 

Worship

Leimarel Sidabi and her son Sanamahi are worshipped in the first room of every Meitei household. Leimarel doesn't like the morning sunlight, so, houses of Loi castes mainly face the south. She also lives in water, so, she is worshipped in an isaiphu, an earthen pitcher or terracotta pot containing water.<[2]: 48  There are no images kept to represent the two deities inside their abode.[11] A senior woman of a house fills the earthen pot with fresh water after taking a holy bath. Fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and rice are offered to the goddess. Prayers are also offered to protect the family members from every troubles.[4][4]: 32  Maibas also perform rites and rituals, such as chanting hymns and making offerings to Leimaren.[3]: 288 

Shayon (incarnations)

Leimarel Sidabi is known for her various incarnation in different forms possessing diverse attributes.

The following are her incarnations:

Divine forms Description
Chang Ning Leima She is the goddess and consort of Lord Khoriphaba, the prince of sky kingdom.
Emoinu She is the goddess of wealth, prosperity and happiness.
Ereima She is the goddess of water and bodies of water.
Hikubi Yaikubi She is the goddess of gems and wealth.
Ngaleima She is the goddess of fish and aquatic life.
Nongthang Leima She is the goddess of thunder and rain.
Panthoibi She is the goddess of courage, war and nostalgia.
Phouoibi She is the goddess of paddy, prosperity and harvest.
Pithai Khongdaibi She is the mother goddess of all.
Silleima She is the goddess of work and occupations.
Thumleima She is the goddess of salt and nutrients.

Festivals

Leimarel Sidabi and her son Sanamahi are mainly worshipped in many religious occasions. Some are Sajibu Cheiraoba and Saroi-Khangba. Cheiraoba is the Meitei new year (Manipuri new year) festival. Saroi-Khangba is a religious event to please the evil spirits.[2][4]: 68 [11]: 183 [12]

  • In the festival of Mera Chaorel Houba, Lainingthou Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi are worshipped in the famous Sanamahi Temple by offering fruits and vegetables.[13]
  • In the Meitei festival of Sajibu Cheiraoba, Leimarel Sidabi is worshipped by offering her the uncooked rice by the devotees.[14]

Pantheon

Leimarel Sidabi, is worshipped in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh and Myanmar too. In Myanmar, one of the famous shrines of Ema Leimarel Sidabi is located at the Ye Ki Bauk village, where the Meitei people worship her.[15][16]

In Arts

Pena (musical instrument) is used to perform various musical rhythms associated with Leimarel (Old Manipuri: Leimalel).

Among the nine forms of musical rhythms (seisaks) of the pena is the Leimarel sheisak, played during Lai Haraoba.[17][18]

Namesakes

In commerce

Ima Keithel (English: Mothers' Market) is the world's only women run market. It has 3 major complexes.[19][20][21] 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).[22] This 500 year old market is in the center of Imphal, Manipur.[21]

In geography

The Leimarel Hill is a hill in Manipur. Trekkers go here for panaromic viewing of 360 degree of Loktak Lake.[23]

References

  1. ^ Gitam, Kanishq (2022-01-12). Asatoma Sadgamaya A path for one. Blue Rose Publishers. p. 207.
  2. ^ a b c d e Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. p. 49. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  3. ^ a b c Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. p. 221. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2.
  4. ^ a b c d Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  5. ^ "Trade resumption at Khwairamband unlikely right after May 3 Ima Market No 1 to be fitted with CCTV cameras".
  6. ^ "April 27, 2020 – Manipur News". 27 April 2020.
  7. ^ Muthukumaraswamy, M. D.; Kaushal, Molly (2004). Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society. NFSC www.indianfolklore.org. p. 70. ISBN 978-81-901481-4-6.
  8. ^ a b A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. August 1991. p. 71 – via archive.org.
  9. ^ Kipgen, Tingneichong G. (2010). Women's Role in the 20th Century Manipur: A Historical Study. Gyan Publishing House. p. 32. ISBN 978-81-7835-803-1.
  10. ^ "Emoinu".
  11. ^ a b Bareh, Hamlet (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Mittal Publications. p. 247. ISBN 978-81-7099-790-0.
  12. ^ A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. August 1991. p. 117 – via archive.org.
  13. ^ "People celebrates Mera Chaoren Houba". Pothashang. 21 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Wakching Nongma Panba Cheiraoba : Offering uncooked food items to Ema Leimarel Sidabi at Awang Sekmai :: 10 January 2016 ~ Pictures from Manipur".
  15. ^ "Myanmar Meetei mou at Ema Leimarel Sidabi temple at Ye Ki Bauk village Myanmar 20170220".
  16. ^ "'Ema Leimarel Sidabi' at 'ye ki bauk' earlier known as Meetei khul, Amarapur District, Myanmar :: December 2016 ~ Pictures from Manipur".
  17. ^ Meitei, Mayanglambam Mangangsana (2021-06-06). The Sound of Pena in Manipur. Marjing Mayanglambam. p. 34. ISBN 978-93-5473-655-1.
  18. ^ Khiangte, Zothanchhingi (2016-10-28). Orality: the Quest for Meanings. Partridge Publishing. p. 169. ISBN 978-1-4828-8671-9.
  19. ^ Gupta, Om (2006). Encyclopaedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8205-389-2.
  20. ^ Shivhare, Vishal (2016-08-17). Vyapar Shastra. Jaico Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8495-898-0.
  21. ^ a b Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2014-06-02). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.
  22. ^ "All-women Imphal market reopens after 10 months". The Times of India. 16 February 2021.
  23. ^ Singh, Arambam Sanatomba (2021-06-18). Ecotourism Development Ventures in Manipur: Green Skill Development and Livelihood Mission. Walnut Publication. p. 87. ISBN 978-93-91145-59-0.

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