Nongpok Ningthou

Nongpok Ningthou
The Eastern Direction
Member of Maikei Ngaakpa Lais and Umang Lais
Other namesKainou Chingsompa Angoupa Apanpa
Major cult centerNongmaiching Mountains[1]
AbodeNongmaiching Mountains
Weaponspear
TextsLangkol Chingkoipa, Nongmaiching Chingkoipa, Panthoibi Khongul, Panthoibi Naheirol
GenderMale
RegionAncient Kangleipak (early Manipur)
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsLai Haraoba
ConsortPanthoibi
Equivalents
HinduShiva[2]
ChineseKing Father of the East

Nongpok Ningthou (Manipuriꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ), also known as the Sovereign of the East or King of the East,[3][4] is a deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. He is the ruling guardian deity of the eastern direction.[5][6][7][8] Legend says Nongpok Ningthou and his consort Panthoibi were united in the Nongmaiching Ching mountains.[9][10][6][11] Later, they were worshipped as the civilization giving deities in Meitei religion.[12]

Nongpok Ningthou is one of the principal Umang Lais. He was originally known as Langmai Ningthou (Lord of the Langmai people).[4]: 78–80 

  1. ^ Vijaylakshmi Brara, N. (1998). Politics, society, and cosmology in India's North East. Oxford University Press. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2 – via archive.org.
  2. ^ Singh, Balmiki Prasad (1987). The problem of change. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-562052-8.
  3. ^ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 9788170998495.
  4. ^ a b Birajit, Soibam (2014-12-01). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). p. 80.
  5. ^ Vijaylakshmi Brara, N. (1998). Politics, society, and cosmology in India's North East. Oxford University Press. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2 – via archive.org.
  6. ^ a b Religion Of Manipur. Firma Klm. 1980 – via archive.org.
  7. ^ A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. August 1991. p. 57 – via archive.org.
  8. ^ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1980). The Religion of Manipur: Beliefs, Rituals, and Historical Development. Firma KLM. ISBN 978-0-8364-0594-1.
  9. ^ Roy, L. Somi (2021-06-21). And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-91149-65-9.
  10. ^ "E-Pao! Books :: Complete e-platform for Manipuris".
  11. ^ Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  12. ^ Traditional Performing Arts of North-East India. Assam Academy for Cultural Relations. 1990.