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Thangching

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thangching
Progenitor of the Kege clan[1]
Protector of all animals[a][1]
Lord of Mahui tribe[1]
Divine Ningthou of the Koiren people[b][1]
Member of Lainingthous, Maikei Ngaakpa Lais and Umang Lais
Thangching, the Patron God of Moirang and his consort, Koiren Leima
Thangching, the Patron God of Moirang and his consort, Koiren Leima.
Other names
AffiliationSanamahism
Major cult centerMoirang
AbodesHeaven and Earth[5]
WeaponPolo stick
AnimalsWhite tiger and horse
MountWhite tiger and horse
TextsMoirang Ningthourol Lambuba
Gendermale
RegionMoirang
Ethnic groupMeitei, Koireng
FestivalsLai Haraoba
ParentsNongshaba (Nongsaba)
ConsortsKoiren Leima

Thangching or Thangjing is a primordial deity in Sanamahism, the traditional religion of Manipur. He is the ruling deity of the Moirang dynasty.[6][7][8][9] He rules supreme on the banks of the landlocked sea, Loktak lake.[10][11] He is one of the four cardinal Umang Lais.[12] The guardianship of the south western direction is attributed to Thangjing and the other directions to Koubru (north west), Marjing (north east) and Wangbren (south east).[12][13][14][15]

Two of his most prominent pantheons are the Thangching Temple and the Thangching Hill (Thangjing Peak).[16][2][better source needed]

Origin

[edit]

Thangjing is a deity of pre-Hindu origin.[17][18] The Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba mentioned that Moirang was the amalgamation of different groups of people with different traditional beliefs. During the reign of King Fang Fang Ponglenhanpa (52 BC- 28 AD), all the diversities were merged into one with God Thangjing as the central figure.[1]

The deity was also notably worshipped by the Koireng people, due to which the deity was given epithets, like "Koiren Lai" or "Koirel Lai", and with this fact, some people believed that His cult might have been started from the community.[3][4]

When the cult of Thangjing was merged into the Umang Laism, the folk deities associated with God Thangjing began to be identified with other Umang Lais. One example is that of goddess Ayang Leima Ahal and goddess Ayang Leima Atonpi. These two goddesses were originally associated with fertility and agriculture. This fact is evident in the ritualistic songs praising them. Later, these two female deities were identified as the consorts of God Thangjing.[1]

When Thangjing was identified as an Umang Lai, the identity of the two goddesses was associated with that of goddess Panthoibi. Thus, the new identity of Goddess Ayang Leima Panthoibi was formed.[1]

Khuman Khamba and Moirang Thoibi performing a dance before the Thangjing Temple

Description

[edit]

Thangjing is described as the Lord of the tiger hunters.[15] The Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba describes God Thangjing as the Divine Chief of Koireng people, the Progenitor of Kege Clan, the Protector of all the domestic as well as wild animals and the Lord of Mahui tribe.[1]

The history of Moirang is always associated with the godly powers of Thangjing. Thangjing is a living God to the people of Ancient Moirang. The epic legend of the Khamba Thoibi is always related to God Thangjing. The ancient temple dedicated to Thangjing still stands on the banks of Loktak lake in the present day Moirang.[7][15]

Mythology

[edit]

In the legendary epic Khamba Thoibi, Lord Thangjing always stands for righteousness and as a saviour of Khamba.[19]

Thangjing sent Phouoibi to Kege Moirang (Keke Moilang) to prosper the human world.[11]

When goddess Panthoibi was searching for her beloved Nongpok Ningthou, she asked God Thangjing and God Wangbren about the whereabouts of Nongpok Ningthou. To Thangjing, she said:

O! Thangjing, Supreme God of Moirang, Loktak is your mirror, My beloved Nongpok has gone like a wind, Like a cattle looking for its herd, I am looking for my beloved. Please tell me Does he come to your country?[20]

Worship

[edit]

Thangching had been worshipped since ancient times. Still today, there is an ancient shrine at Moirang. An annual ritual festival known as Lai Haraoba is held early in summer in honor of the God.[21][22][better source needed] During the annual Thangjing Lai Haraoba festival, traditional dances and sports are performed as rituals. The performers follow the ancient customs of wearing the traditional attires of the royal lords and ladies.[23][24][25][better source needed] The festival is celebrated during the Meitei lunar month of Kalen. It continues for a week.[26] Meiteis from all over Manipur visit the Thangjing Temple in Moirang.[27][better source needed]

Namesakes

[edit]
Thangjing plant (Euryale ferox)

The Thangjing plant (Euryale ferox) is an aquatic plant that bears edible seeds. Its seeds are called "foxnuts" and are one of the most popular food items in Meitei cuisine of Manipur.[28][29]

The Thangching Peak (Thangjing Hill) is one of the four peaks, the others being the Koubru (after God Koubru), the Kounu (after Goddess Kounu) and the Loyalakpa (after God Loyalakpa). These peaks are the holy places of worship of the Meitei ethnicity. Their names are derived from the names of the deities whom the Meiteis worship at the peaks.[16][better source needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ for both domestic and wild animals, in accordance to the Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba
  2. ↑ mentioned in religious context as "Koiren" instead of "Koireng"
  3. 1 2 3 The terms, "Koiren", "Koirel", and "Koren" are used to refer to the tribe Koireng, in Meitei religious context, to refer to the deity.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Birajit, Soibam (2014-12-01). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). p. 82.
  2. 1 2 "The God Lainingthou Thangching Koylellai". e-pao.net.
  3. 1 2 3 "Thangjing in folklore of Koireng tribe of Manipur". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2026-07-08.
  4. 1 2 "Faith and worship of Koireng people". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2026-07-08.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ Mangangcha, Thoudam Laiba (5 February 2021). "The God Lainingthou Thangching Koylellai". The Sangai Express. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
  7. 1 2 Prakash, Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Vol. 4. New Delhi: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  8. ↑ Roy Chaudhury, Dipanjan (2008). Northeast: Diverse Complexity. New Delhi: Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 978-81-241-1437-7.
  9. ↑ Roy, L. Somi (2021). And That Is Why: Manipuri Myths Retold. New Delhi: Penguin Random House India. ISBN 978-93-91149-65-9.
  10. ↑ Singh, N. Tombi (1975). Manipur and the Mainstream. Chitrebirentombichand Khorjeirup.
  11. 1 2 Session, North East India History Association (1999). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
  12. 1 2 Birajit, Soibam (2014-12-01). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). p. 81.
  13. ↑ Rojio, Usham (2017-11-13). "Subdued Eloquence: Poetics of body movement, time and space". In Dzüvichü, Lipokmar; Baruah, Manjeet (eds.). Modern Practices in North East India: History, Culture, Representation. Taylor & Francis. pp. 286–87. ISBN 978-1-351-27134-9.
  14. ↑ Socialist India. Indian National Congress. All India Congress Committee. 1973.
  15. 1 2 3 Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society : women of the Manipur Valley. Shakti Books. p. 116. ISBN 9780706919677 – via archive.org.
  16. 1 2 Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2014-06-02). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.
  17. ↑ Singh, A. Prafullokumar (2009). Elections and political dynamics. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-8324-279-0.
  18. ↑ Laveesh, Bhandari (2009). Indian States At A Glance 2008-09: Performance, Facts And Figures - North-East And Sikkim. Pearson Education India. ISBN 978-81-317-2348-7.
  19. ↑ Singh, Rajkumar Mani (2002). Khwairakpam Chaoba Singh. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-1519-1.
  20. ↑ Meitei, Mayanglambam Mangangsana (2021-06-06). The Sound of Pena in Manipur. Marjing Mayanglambam. ISBN 978-93-5473-655-1.
  21. ↑ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  22. ↑ Delhi, All India Radio (AIR), New (1967-12-03). AKASHVANI: Vol. XXXII, No.49 ( 3 DECEMBER, 1967 ). All India Radio (AIR), New Delhi.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ↑ Singh, Arambam Sanatomba (2021-06-18). Ecotourism Development Ventures in Manipur: Green Skill Development and Livelihood Mission. Walnut Publication. ISBN 978-93-91145-59-0.
  24. ↑ Kohli, M. S. (2002). Mountains of India: Tourism, Adventure and Pilgrimage. Indus Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7387-135-1.
  25. ↑ Singh, T. S. P. (2018-05-31). Apology. Partridge Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5437-0188-3.
  26. ↑ Gajrani, S. (2004). History, Religion and Culture of India. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8205-065-5.
  27. ↑ Ghosh, G. K. (2002). Water of India: (quality and Quantity). APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7648-294-3.
  28. ↑ "Thangjing". medicinalplants.co.in. May 2016.
  29. ↑ "Thangjing – A potential aquatic cash crop in Manipur". e-pao.net.
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