Sanamahism | |
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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 AD.[9] Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Sidaba Mapu and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi.