| Sanamahism | |
|---|---|
| ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ | |
 The Symbol of Sanamahism | |
| Type | Ethnic religion |
| Classification | Animism |
| Scripture | Puyas |
| Theology | Polytheism |
| Region | Manipur, India |
| Language | Meitei |
| Number of followers | approx. 235,000[1] |
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| Sanamahism |
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Sanamahism (Manipuri: ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ, romanized: Sanamahi laining, transl: Sanamahi religion, lit. 'liquid gold religion'),[2] also known as Meiteism (Manipuri: ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡ, romanized: Meitei laining),[3][4] or Lainingthouism (Manipuri: ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡ) is an ethnic religion of the Meitei people of Manipur, in Northeast India. It is a polytheistic religion and is named after Lainingthou Sanamahi, one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith.[5][6][7] Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Sidaba Mapu and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, the Maru Loishang, that oversees the main religious activities and governs all affairs of the religion, including the conduct of priest and priestess.[8] The Maru Loishang also acts a court for religious disputes.[8] There are three main departments under the Manu Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang, and the Amaibi Loishang.[9] These departments have existed since the reign of King Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong of Manipur in 662 CE. [9] Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Sidaba Mapu and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi.
- ^ 2001 Census
- ^ Meitei, Mayanglambam Mangangsana (6 June 2021). The Sound of Pena in Manipur. Marjing Mayanglambam. p. 30. ISBN 978-93-5473-655-1.
- ^ Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (25 November 2020). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2.
- ^ Zehol, Lucy (1998). Ethnicity in Manipur: Experiences, Issues, and Perspectives. Regency Publications. p. 79. ISBN 978-81-86030-51-6.
- ^ Gourchandra, M. (1982). Sanamahi Laihui.
- ^ "The Revivalism of Sanamahism". e-pao.net. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- ^ Nilabir, Sairem (2002). Laiyingthou Sanamahi Amasung Sanamahi Laining Hinggat Ihou.
- ^ a b "Maru (Pandit Loisang)". Maru (Pandit Loisang). Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- ^ a b "IGNCA's Workshop on Maibi Culture of Manipur | IGNCA". ignca.gov.in. Retrieved 18 April 2022.