Leimarel Sidabi

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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
Gaia
Roman equivalentTerra

Leimarel Sidabi (

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

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

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
occupations
.
Thumleima
 She is the goddess of salt and nutrients.

Festivals

Main article:
Fairs and Festivals in Manipur

Leimarel Sidabi and her son

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]

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

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

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. ^
    ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2
    .
  4. ^
    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. ISBN 978-81-901481-4-6
    .
  8. ^ a b A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. August 1991. p. 71 – via archive.org.
  9. ISBN 978-81-7835-803-1
    .
  10. ^ "Emoinu".
  11. ^
    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. ISBN 978-93-5473-655-1
    .
  18. ISBN 978-1-4828-8671-9
    .
  19. ISBN 978-81-8205-389-2
    .
  20. ISBN 978-81-8495-898-0
    .
  21. ^
    ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0
    .
  22. ^ "All-women Imphal market reopens after 10 months". The Times of India. 16 February 2021.
  23. ISBN 978-93-91145-59-0
    .

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