Mongba Hanba (Manipuri: ꯃꯣꯡꯕ ꯍꯟꯕ) is a forest god in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. He is mainly worshipped in the sacred forest Mongba Hanba Umang on the banks of the Imphal River.[3][1][2]
| Mongba Hanba | |
|---|---|
Forest God | |
| Member of Umang Lais | |
| Major cult center | Mahabali Hanuman Thakur Temple Complex,[1][2] Imphal East district, Manipur |
| Abode | Mongba Hanba Umang |
| Gender | Male |
| Region | Manipur |
| Ethnic group | Meitei |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Equivalents | |
| Hinduism equivalent | Hanuman |
History edit
On Saturday, the 16th day of the Meitei lunar month of Inga, 1729, (during the reign of King Garib Niwaj Pamheiba), nine Umang Lais were brought and gathered at the Mongba Hanba's sacred forest and buried there, and a stone idol of the Hindu God Hanuman was installed. So, the cult of Mongba Hanba was replaced by that of Hanuman.[4][5][6][1][2]
On 6 June 1979, an association was formed to save Mongba Hanba Umang. It struggled for controlling the sacred place for worshipping the traditional deity.[6] There have been repeated attempts to revive the pantheon of the deity. However, there is opposition from the religious body of the Mahabali Temple of Hanuman.[7][1][2]
During May 2015, an organization named Mongba Hanba Umang Laipham Kanba Lup appealed not to stop them from constructing a place of worship for God Mongba Hanba. The organization claimed that in 36 years, it had never prevented devotees of Hanuman from worshipping. The organization expected the same thing from the Hindu bodies not to stop them from establishing a place of worship for God Mongba Hanba in the complex.[8]
Worship edit
According to religious custom, Tampak Maiba was to worship God Mongba Hanba (Old Manipuri: Mongpa Hanpa).[9] The atmosphere of blood sacrifice is said to be associated with the shrine of the deity.[10]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "মোংবা হনবা উমং লূপ" (PDF). hueiyenlanpao.com (in Manipuri).
- ^ a b c d "মোংবা হনবা" (PDF). hueiyenlanpao.com (in Manipuri).
- ^ Gupta, Dr Asha (2007). Biodiversity Conservation and Legal Aspects. Aavishkar Publishers, Distributors. p. 202. ISBN 978-81-7910-187-2.
- ^ Devi, Jamini (2010). Cultural History of Manipur: Sija Laioibi and the Maharas. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-8324-342-1.
- ^ Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh; Sadananda Mayanglambam (2013). A collection of Essays in Manipuri Folklore. p. 115.
- ^ a b Noni, Arambam; Sanatomba, Kangujam (16 October 2015). Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-27066-9.
- ^ Assembly, Manipur (India) Legislative (1980). Assembly Proceedings, Official Report of Manipur State Legislative Assembly. authority of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
- ^ "Devotess of Mongba Hanba appeal : 28th may15 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ Session, North East India History Association (1982). Proceedings of the North East India History Association. The Association. p. 33.
- ^ Traditional Customs and Rituals of Northeast India: Arunachal Pradesh, meghalaya, Manipur, Assam. Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture. 2002.
External links edit
- "Manipur Maoist urges government to renovate Sacred Mongba Hanba and Khurai Pung : 28th nov18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- Shimray, A. S. W. (2001). History of the Tangkhul Nagas. Akansha Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-87606-04-8.