List of deities in Sanamahism


is the indigenous religion of the Meitei people. It originated in the Kingdom of Kangleipak, and is still practiced in modern Manipur, India, distinct from both the Indosphere and the Sinosphere. Sanamahism is a polytheistic religion with thousands of gods and goddesses of varying power, quality, features, and character.

Principle deities

There are five main deities in Sanamahism:
In Sanamahism, there are ten directions, for which there are ten deities who are the protectors and the guardians.
DeitiesDirectionOther attributes
Marjing North eastGod of polo, hockey, horses, sports and war. He rides on Samadon Ayangba, a flying horse, created by Sanamahi.
Thangjing South westRuling deity of the Moirang dynasty.
Koupalu North westFounder of human civilization. He rides on a white elephant named Samu Laishaa Angoupa who guards the outskirts of Mount Koubru.
Wangpulen South eastGod of the underwater world.
Kounu NorthGoddess of snows, hills and mountains. Consort of Koupalu and the mother of Loyalakpa and Nungthel Leima.
Nongpok Ningthou EastConsort of Panthoibi.
Lok Ningthou SouthGod of streams, rivers, and gorges.
Loyalakpa WestGuardian God of the Western direction. Son of Koupalu and Kounu.
Salailen SidabaZenith
Thongalen NadirKing of the Underworld and the God of the Death.

Incarnations of Leimarel Sidibi

, the supreme goddess has incarnated several times in various forms with diverse attributes.
  • Hikubi Yaikubi, Goddess of gems.
  • Irai Leima, Goddess of water, daughter of Salailen, the sky God, who sent her down to earth to bring prosperity to human civilization.
  • Leimarel Sidabi
  • Panthoibi Goddess of civilization, courage, fertility, handicraft, love, victory, warfare and wisdom. A consort of God Nongpok Ningthou.
  • Ngaleima, Goddess of fish and dweller in the underwater world. A daughter of Salailen, who sent her to earth to bring prosperity to humanity.
  • Nongthang Leima, Goddess of enchantment, seduction, thunder, and lightning. Created from the dazzling eyes of Salailen to seduce Pakhangba.
  • Phouoibi, Goddess of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, rice, harvests, and wealth. A daughter of Salailen sent to earth to bring prosperity.
  • Pithai Khongdaibi, Goddess of motherhood.
  • Silreima, Goddess of work and occupation.
  • Thumleima, Goddess of salt; a daughter of Salailen.
  • Yumjao Leima, mother goddess of house, household, royalty, and power.

    Apokpa (ancestral deities)

The ancestral deities of every families and clans were called Apokpa. They are worshipped by their respective families and clans.
  • Khuman Pokpa
  • Pureiromba

    Celestial gods

According to the Khenchonglol the Sun, Moon, seven planets, and are twenty seven stars which are referred to as deities
  • Nongmaiching
  • Ningthoukaba
  • Leipakpokpa
  • Yumsakeisa
  • Sagolsen
  • Irai
  • Thangja
  • Shakok
  • Shamei
  • Sajik
  • Thaba
  • Khongjom Nubi
  • Apaknga
  • Sachung Telheiba
  • Likla Saphaba
  • Chingcharoibi
  • Chungshennubi
In Meitei mythology, there are seven celestial goddesses, the Lai Nuraa Tare, the creation of the Lord Atingkok Maru Sidaba and seven nymphs or helloi taret, who are the daughters of the Salailen Sidaba.

Gods of the Underworld

  • Laikhurembi, Goddess of argument, justice, good counsel, divine law, order, retribution and secrecy. Queen of the Underworld kingdom and a consort of God Thongalen.
  • Lainaotabi, Goddess of weaving, magic, and witchcraft, a consort of God Thongalen and later a concubine of Poireiton.
  • Thongak Lairembi, gatekeeper of the Underworld Kingdom and consort of Thongalen.
  • Thongalen, King of the Underworld and the God of Death.

    Umang Lai

There are more than 365 forest deities or Umang Lai in Sanamahism. They are always associated with a sacred grove. The term Umang Lai is also used to refer to the sacred abodes of the deities.
  • Nongshaba, Lion God who protects humanity from evils. A son of Salailen.
  • Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi, Queen of Heaven.
  • Mongba Hanba, a forest God associated with healing.
  • Haoreima, Goddess of tragic love and separation, disease, souls and spirits.
  • Ichum Lairembi, presiding goddess of the Khurkhul region.
  • Koujeng Leima, a consort of God Koupalu and one of the nine goddesses who participated in the festival of Thangjing.
  • Nungthel Leima, Goddess of the first villager, daughter of Koupalu and Kounu.
  • Taoroinai, serpentine dragon god from the Moon.
  • thareima the goddess of moon, calmness stillness, periods, peace

    Craft deities

  • Lainaotabi, Goddess of weaving, magic, and witchcraft, a consort of God Thongalen and later a concubine of Poireiton.
  • Pisatao, God of architecture, artisans, forges, handicrafts, and metallurgy.
  • Khamlangba, God of iron, mining, metallurgy, hunting, and war.

    Bird and animal goddesses

  • Nganu Leima, Goddess of waterfowl.
  • Khunu Leima, Goddess of pigeons and doves.
  • Shapi Leima, Goddess of rodents.

    Agricultural deities

  • Panam Ningthou, igniter of the first fire and the divine protector of crops from hailstorms and thunder.
  • Phou Ningthou, god of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, rice, and harvests.
  • Pureiromba, giver of rain and agricultural prosperity, ancestral deity of the Angom clan.
  • Phouoibi, Goddess of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, rice, harvests, and wealth.

    Lake and river goddesses

There are various Lake and river guardian goddesses.
People worshipped one goddess for each market area considering the spirit of the goddess as the protector, guardian of the region.
  • Pishum Keithel Lairembi of Pishumthong Market Region
  • Singjamei Keithel Lairembi of Singjamei Market Region.
  • Kongba Keithel Lairembi of Kongba Market Region

    Worship

According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution,# Meireima is worshipped by the Heirom family.
  1. Khanglangba is worshipped by the Irom family.
  2. Shorarel is worshipped by the Sorelsangbam family.
  3. Lammabee is worshipped by the Sharang Leishangthem family.
  4. Phouoibi is worshipped by the Sharotkhaibam family.
  5. Shanglang-mei is worshipped by the Potshangbam family.
  6. Kutchu is worshipped by the Moirang Pukhrambam family.
  7. Mawao Leima is worshipped by the Shoubam family.
  8. Panthoibi is worshipped by the Heishnam family.
  9. Pet-angnga is worshipped by the Khoisanam family.
  10. Laikhurembee is worshipped by the Taibangjam family.
  11. Huimureima is worshipped by the Konthoujam family.
  12. Lainaotabi is worshipped by the Ashangbam family.
  13. Nungthelleima is worshipped by the Chingkhwam family.
  14. Shoubonleima is worshipped by the Arambam family.
  15. Awangba is worshipped by the Yenkhom Phisabam family.
  16. Luwaang Ching is worshipped by the Luwangshangbam family.
  17. Lainingthou is worshipped by the Sinam Laishangbam family.
  18. Puthiba is worshipped by the Moirangthem Puthem family.
  19. Pureiromba is worshipped by the Mangsatabam family.
  20. Tenlongba is worshipped by the Langmaithem family.
  21. Thongak is worshipped by the Ngarangyanpam family.
  22. Chingkol-Ningthou is worshipped by the Nakalbam family.
  23. Chingbal Leima is worshipped by the Khuraijam family.
  24. Yaoreibi is worshipped by the Meiyengbam family.
  25. Koubarel is worshipped by the Leishangthem family.
  26. Numitleima is worshipped by the Ningthoujam family.
  27. Koubru is worshipped by the Pukkalabam family.
  28. Marjing is worshipped by the Chenglei-Laishangbam family.
  29. Moirang Phaktom Ariba is worshipped by the Moirangthem family.
  30. Hongnemyoi Khunjao is worshipped by the Kangpucham family.
  31. Chinga is worshipped by the Chingkhalbam family.
  32. Langjing is worshipped by the Longjam Pheiroijam family.
  33. Langgol is worshipped by the Tekcham family.
  34. Langmaicheeng is worshipped by the Nongmaithem family.
  35. Chinga Leima is worshipped by the Ningthoujam family.
  36. Langching Hiyangthou Leima is worshipped by the Heithou and Khongtekcham families.
  37. Yumjao Lairemma is worshipped by the Thaopicham family.