Umang Lai (Meitei: /ū-mang lāi/) refers to a group of ancient Meitei deities of the traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism) who are worshipped as the local guardians of particular areas, especially sacred groves.[1] These deities are worshipped annually.[2] Their sacred groves are preserved by the Meitei people since ancient times, mostly in the Northeast Indian state of Manipur. Their pleasing ceremony is always celebrated every year through a music and dance festival, known as Lai Haraoba. There are more than 365 Umang Lai shrines in Manipur state alone.[3][4][5] They are integral parts of Meitei mythology, folklore and religion.[6][7] The cults of these deities vary from community to community.[7]
Etymology
"Umang" means "forest" and "Lai" means "deity" in Meitei language (also known as Manipuri language).[7]
List of deities
Umang Lai sacred groves are widely distributed in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts of Manipur. The following is the list:
| Names of deities (prefixed by the locations of their shrines)[8] | Note(s)[9] |
|---|---|
| Moirang Thangjing | |
| Heingang Marjing | |
| Sugnu Wangbarel | |
| Awang Sekmai Koubru | |
| Yaiskul Nongsaba | |
| Sugnu Lokningthou | |
| Sugnu Sanamahi | |
| Thanga Chingningthou | |
| Koirengei Pakhangba | |
| Maibamlokpaching Loyarakpa | |
| Top Chingkha Inamung | |
| Yairipok nongpok Panthoibi | |
| Kodompokpi Sorarel | |
| Yurembam Unam Sorarel | |
| Yambem Yairi Ningthou | |
| Tairenpokpi Koubru | |
| Phaknung Chingkhei | |
| Awang Yumnam Khunou Puthiba | |
| Khurai Puthiba | |
| Wangu Wangbarel | |
| Ningel Nongpok | |
| Chandrakhong Yenkhurakpa | |
| Andro Panam Ningthou | |
| Andro Pureiromba | |
| Tangjeng Lokningthou | |
| Nungu Lokningthou | |
| Phayeng Koubru | |
| Nachou Sorarel | |
| Kha Potsangbam Panganba | |
| Ningthoukhong Oknarel | |
| Eething Thangjing | |
| Oinam Nongsaba | |
| Haobijam Chairellakpa | |
| Laishram Eereima | |
| Moirangthem Thangjing | |
| Tongbram Lairemma | |
| Salam Sorarel, Sanahal | |
| Heisnam Chingningthou
|
|
| Ngangkha Lawai Thangjing | |
| Maibram Tampak Lainingthou | |
| Laishangbam Nongsaba | |
| Philem Khoriphaba | |
| Laiphrakpam Khaanachaoba | |
| Khoyangbam Ayangleima | |
| Phairelbam Loklaoleima
|
|
| Ahanthem Sanamahi | |
| Mairenbam Leikoi Ningthou | |
| Kumam Maharaba | |
| Hemam Pakhangba | |
| Konjengbam Sorarel | |
| Kiyam Ui Ningthou | |
| Thongam Thongnang Ningthou | |
| Kumphi Santhong Ningthou | |
| Sagang Santhong Ningthou | |
| Kodompokpi Khoriphaba
|
|
| Patsoi Khunjao Pakhangba | |
| Patsoi Khunou Nongkabi | |
| Shachep Chingkhei Puri-Puraba | |
| Ukhongshang Nongpok | |
| Uyal Arong Ningthou
|
|
| Khoirom Nongpok Ningthou | |
| Kharam Pakhangba | |
| Oinam Tangleihada Eereima | |
| Oinam Laipham Eereima | |
| Oinam Thingel Eereima | |
| Lamdeng Laikhurembi | |
| Lambal Koubru | |
| Changangei Khubomba | |
| Sharotkhaibam Phouoibi | |
| Wangkhei Laishram Eereima | |
| Wangjing Ningthou | |
| Lairen Sajik Koubru | |
| Tentha Eekop Ningthou | |
| Thoudam Eerong Leima | |
| Khurai Konsam Leikai Chingjroibi | |
| Lamsang Eshing Chaiba | |
| Utlou Panthoibi | |
| Kiyamgei Pakhangba | |
| Chingamakha Soram Yumjao Lairemma | |
| Malom Khunjaoba | |
| Thoubal Sabal Tongba Thouban Ningthou | |
| Haoga Sorarel | |
| Kontha Marjing | |
| Phumlou Keiroi Koubru | |
| Phumlou Siphai Koubru | |
| Haoreibi Pakhangba | |
| Sarangthem Lairemma | |
| Leisangthem Lairemma | |
| Heikrujam Loiyarakpa | |
| Leimapokpam Siphai Thangjing | |
| Leimapokpam Khunpham Sebu Leima | |
| Aarapti Pureiromba | |
| Awang Potsangbam Koubru | |
| Angom Yumjao Leima | |
| Langpok Ningthou | |
| Kangabam Yumjao Leima | |
| Potsangbam Thouriphi Koubru | |
| Keisampat Yumjao Leima | |
| Taobungkhok Loiyarakpa | |
| Pishum Huidrom Yumjao Leima | |
| Kairang Marjing | |
| Loitangkhunou Koubru | |
| Haorang Sabal Koubru | |
| Haorang Keirel Koubru | |
| Moitangpok Korouhanba | |
| Lamlai Pureiromba | |
| Yurembam Huidon Pokpi | |
| Wangoi Sanamahi | |
| Wangoi Wangbarel | |
| Patsoi Taomang Naothingkhong | |
| Patsoi Nongabi | |
| Chingamakha Eerom Yumjao Leima | |
| Sanjenbam Koubru | |
| Lamangdong Yangoi Ningthou | |
| Kwasiphai Pakhangba | |
| Thiyam Konjin Phunan Ningthou | |
| Kakching Khullen Khamlangba | |
| Kakching Khullen Naohal | |
| Kakching Khullen Eerum Ningthou | |
| Kakching Khullen Sekmai Ningthou | |
| Kakching Khoriphaba | |
| Wairi Khamlangba | |
| Arapti Eereima | |
| Eerengpal Eerum Ningthou | |
| Paonam Eeshing Chaiba | |
| Toubul Yangoi Ningthou | |
| Kangamung Khujoi Loiyarakpa | |
| Ngairangbam Loiyarakpa | |
| Waiton Puthiba | |
| Khundrakpam Marjing | |
| Tingri Marjing | |
| Sapam Solai Khongjom Ningthou | |
| Shalungpham Eekop Ningthou | |
| Thoubal Nonggangkhong Thoubal Ningthou | |
| Kekru Nongpok Panthoibi | |
| Chabung company Wangbrel | |
| Eeram Siphai Ngangourakpa | |
| Mutum Phiphou Eerong Leima | |
| Kakwa Naorem Panthoibi | |
| Iroisemba Thongamacha | |
| Naran Konjing Koubru | |
| Mayang Imphal Khuman Pokpa | |
| Lairenjam Lairemma | |
| Thangbijrou Thangba | |
| Meitram Shebu Leima | |
| Shagol Tongba Pakhangba | |
| Keinou Khulleima | |
| Thogam Mondung Khulleima | |
| Samram Khongjom Ningthou | |
| Lourembam Lairemma | |
| Konjengbam Lairemma | |
| Top Langmai Leima | |
| Thongam Panganba | |
| Thaoroijam Yumjao Leima | |
| Uripok Yurembam Huidom Pokpi | |
| Elangbam Panganba | |
| Mayengbam Yaoreibi | |
| Mayang Langjing Mamang Koubru | |
| Mayang Langjing Maning Koubru | |
| Langmeithet Panthoibi | |
| Khumbong Panthoibi | |
| Awang khunou Koubru | |
| Phoijing Chaning Leima | |
| Taothong Koubru | |
| Uripok Khamlangba | |
| Akham Khamlangba | |
| Uripok Laikhurembi | |
| Elangbam Khanapokpi Pangamba | |
| Luker Khoimom Lairemma | |
| Lamboikhul Eereima | |
| Govindagram Puthiba | |
| Khonghampat Luwangpokpa | |
| Khonghampat Koubru
|
|
| Parnam Khul Loiyarakpa | |
| Ngariyanbam Koubru | |
| Nambol Khoriphaba | |
| Phoukakchao Phouoibi | |
| Kha Thounaojam Panthoibi | |
| Uchekol Moriba | |
| Nambol Konkham Loiyarakpa | |
| Khundrakpam Panganba | |
| Meinam Lairemma | |
| Achanbigei Marjing | |
| Kangamung Maisnam Loiyarakpa | |
| Keirao Langdum Keirao Lakpa | |
| Wahengbam Yumjao Leima | |
| Tekcham Eekop Ningthou | |
| Langmeidomg Pakhangba | |
| Eengourok Nongpok Ningthou | |
| Heinoupok Loiyarakpa | |
| Chingamakha Maisnam Luwangpokpa | |
| Pukhao Ahallup Eereima | |
| Khurai Lai Awangba | |
| Wangbal Eekop Ningthou | |
| Hiyangthang Lairemma | |
| Huirem Chingbal Leima | |
| Naharup Pureiromba | |
| Pungdongbam Panthoibi | |
| Nungoi Puthiba | |
| Sagolband Pakhangba | |
| Lamding Wangjing | |
| Chingtham Khongjom Ningthou | |
| Ningthoukhong Thangnarel | |
| Yumnam Yumjao Lairemma | |
| Sagolmang Eereima | |
| Patpal Eerum Ningthou | |
| Nungu Laimanai | |
| Charangpat Mamang Arong Ningthou | |
| Khangabok Eekop Ningthou | |
| Pengi Arong Ningthou | |
| Moirangpurel Pashi Lairemma | |
| Pourabi Puthiba | |
| Khwai Lainingthouhanba | |
| Loktonbam Arai Leima | |
| Nakalbam Chingol Ningthou | |
| Khurai Mamang Yangoi Ningthou | |
| Khurai Angouba | |
| Khurai Puthiba | |
| Shoubol Lairemma | |
| Top Langmai Leima | |
| Sekta Laiyingthou Achangba | |
| Khangkhui | |
| Khurai Ningthem Pokpa | |
| Angom Pokpa (Leithong) | |
| Aton Khuman Pakhangba Ningthem Pokpa | |
| Lamdeng Thumkhong Lairemma | |
| Lamdeng Poireiton Laikhurembi Leima Leinaotabi | |
| Luwang Sangol | |
| Khagi Maibi Yumpham | |
| Thinungei Loyarakpa | |
| Thinunggei Ningthou | |
| Eethai Phouoibi | |
| Thangtek Yangoi Ningthou | |
| Ngairangbam Khunou Pakhangba | |
| Kha Yumnam Khunou Loiyarakpa | |
| Khurai Soubon Lairemma | |
| Uchekon Panthoibi | |
| Konthoujam Lairemma | |
| Takhel Nongpok Ningthou | |
| Pukhao Laipham Ireima | |
| Arong Phouoibi | |
| Pukhao Khabam Eereima | |
| Heibongpokpi Koubru | |
| Kongamung Tongbram Loiyarakpa | |
| Khathong Pakhangba | |
| Satpam Khongjom Ningthou | |
| Thokchom Arong Ningthou | |
| Athokpam Arong Ningthou | |
| Keirak Sekmai Ningthou | |
| Khurai Thareima | |
| Khaidem Loiyarakpa | |
| Heirok Eekop Ningthou | |
| Wabagai Pakhangba | |
| Lairen Kabi Koubru | |
| Chajing Lakpa | |
| Irengbam Nameirakpam Khubomba | |
| Khoijuman Yangoi Ningthou | |
| Ningom Shang Shang Ningthou | |
| Nongpok Lourembam Arong Ningthou | |
| Heisnam Panthoibi | |
| Oinam Sawongbung Eereima | |
| Thouban Ningonbam Thouban | |
| Kongpal Uraleima Ningthou | |
| Kongpal Puri Puraba | |
| Bamonkampu Pureiromba | |
| Tangkham Khulleima | |
| Charangpat Maning Nongpok Ningthou | |
| Khongjom Ningthou | |
| Ahallup Marjing | |
| Thongak Lairemma Langol | |
| Irengbam Khoriphaba | |
| Langol Kameng Koubru | |
| Kongpal Langmai Leima | |
| Wakharakpa | |
| Pangei Marjing | |
| Lamabam Eerongleimma | |
| Keirao Lakpa | |
| Khekman Langbren | |
| Khekman Pakhangba | |
| Khekman Leikairakpa | |
| Wangkheirakpa Yumjao Lairemma | |
| Shagolmang Eereima | |
| Meinam Lairemma | |
| Langmeidong Pakhangba | |
| Elangbam Panganba | |
| Meijrao Lakpa | |
| Lairenjam Lairemma | |
| Kyamgei Khagemba | |
| Kyamgei Mungyamba Pakhangba | |
| Salungpham Nongpok Ningthou | |
| Kabowakching Loiyarakpa | |
| Ningthoubung Puraba | |
| Kangamung Siphai Loiyalakpa | |
| Pangan Siphai Nungthelleimma | |
| Hiyanglam Panganba | |
| Phouden Pakhangba | |
| Phouden Nongpok Ningthou | |
| Heinoukhongnembi Laishram Lairemma | |
| Nongchup Sanjenbam Koubru | |
| Shamuroulakpa | |
| Shamuroulakpa Khwai Ningthou | |
| Shamuroulakpa Leitang Ningthou | |
| Morok Ingkhol Koubru | |
| Keinou Ahongshangbam Lairemma | |
| Keinou Thongthak Koubru | |
| Ngaikhong Yangoi Ningthou | |
| Karam Nongshaba | |
| Waheng Khuman Pakhangba | |
| Sagontongba Shuraisam Khagemba | |
| Soubam Mawao Leima | |
| Khaidem Nganuleima | |
| Maibakhul Marjing | |
| Maklang Nungthil Leima | |
| Heiyen Eekop Ningthou | |
| Hangun Kalipha | |
| Tera Khunou Eekop Ningthou | |
| Tentha Khunou Eekop Ningthou | |
| Sinam Kom Lainingthou | |
| Kabo Wakching Nongabi | |
| Keibi Eereima | |
| Langol Ningthou | |
| Tarung Leima | |
| Phubala Pakhangba | |
| Pechi Arong Ningthou Eekop Ningthou | |
| Thangmeiband Kanghujam Naothingkhong | |
| Khurai Lai Khurembi | |
| Charangpat Mayai Nongpok | |
| Laphupat Kalika | |
| Thamnapokpi Thangjing | |
| Sairem Khul Koubru | |
| Khabi Lairembi | |
| Waroi Ching Malang Humoiba | |
| Yaingangpokpi Haoreima Sambubi | |
| Nongpok Kameng Khamlangba | |
| Kakmayai Panthoibi | |
| Thongam Mondung Nungang Maharabi | |
| Kwarokching Tarang Saraba | |
| Ningol Phouoibi Lokchao Thanungba | |
| Chandrakhong Nongpok Sawang Lallam Phoriba | |
| Koirengei Pakhangba Khuman Pokpa | |
| Kongbamaru Konglouton Louthiba | |
| Koubru Inamung, Chandeba, Khongdeba | |
| Kaodrukna Koubru | |
| Khurkhul Ichum Lairemma | |
| Sekmai Wangbren | |
| Phayeng Sawang Soraren | |
| Leimaram Koubru | |
| Thongjao Mayang-ngamba | |
| Nung Santhong Pan Santhong Nungyungbi | |
| Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba | |
| Ngakchoupokpi Yangoi Ningthou | |
| Ishok Chingphu Ningthou | |
| Kha Lourembam Panthoibi | |
| Thiyam Laikom Pakhangba | |
| Sansenbam Panthoibi | |
| Pukhrambam Panthoibi | |
| Thounaojam Panthoibi | |
| Awang Jiri Kabokthong Lairemma | |
| Kha Potsangbam Panganba | |
| Naorem Panthoibi | |
| Pombikhok Loningthou | |
| Kondong Lairemma | |
| Chairen Khunbu Leima Khunmabi Panthoibi Tangkhul Huithok Pakhangba | |
| Nongmaijing Nongpok Apanba Khalongnachingba Laipham | |
| Kanto Khullel Koubru | |
| Kanto Khunou Koubru | |
| Tera Urak Koubru | |
| Pukhao Naharup Eereima | |
| Naharup Terapur Eereima | |
| Chajing Mairelkhong Puthiba | |
| Leimatak Pakhangba Hidel Pakhangba | |
| Project Mapal (phase-iv) Pakhangba | |
| Upokpi Sorarel | |
| Lamdong Makha Mayang-ngamba | |
| Heikrujam Mamang Loiyarakpa | |
| Heikrujam Mamang Khuman Pokpa | |
| Churachandpur Awang Makha Maikei-ngakpa | |
| Lairenjam Khoriphaba | |
| Bamdara Awang Machem Ching Chingthang Lairembi Machem | |
| Bamdara Makha Manao Ching Chingthasang Lairembi Manao | |
| Yurembam Matkha Moirangpokpa | |
| Atom Khul Nganu Leima | |
| Kadompokpi Maning Mekola Taoding Pakhangba | |
| Changangei Maning Poklen Pokpa | |
| Utlou Mamang Nongda Lairen Pakhangba | |
| Pangei Bazar Tangja Lil Pakhangba | |
| Khonghampat Khunou Koubru | |
| Mayang Imphal Konthak Wangba Sorarel |
Present scenario
Presently, these religiously preserved sacred groves are in the situation of being endangered, due to the lack of proper attention and care. These Umang Lais have become the victims of the encroachment and exploitation.[10]
See also
Notes
- All the Umang Lais are affiliated to Sanamahism.
- But, Lainingthou Sanamahi, Leimarel Sidabi, and Imoinu Ahongbi are not included in the Umang Lai category.
References
- ^ Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2.
- ^ "Umanglai Haraoba Traditional Institution for Local Self Governance in Manipur By Thounaojam Ruhichand". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ^ Khumbongmayum, Ashalata Devi; Khan, M. L.; Tripathi, R. S. (2004). "Sacred groves of Manipur – ideal centres for biodiversity conservation". Current Science. 87 (4): 430–433. JSTOR 24109169.
- ^ Devi Khumbongmayum, Ashalata; Khan, M. L.; Tripathi, R. S. (2005). "Sacred groves of Manipur, northeast India:biodiversity value, status and strategies for their conservation". Biodiversity and Conservation. 14 (7): 1541–1582. doi:10.1007/s10531-004-0530-5. S2CID 10336784.
- ^ "Sacred Groves in Manipur".
- ^ Environment Chronicles: the best of TerraGreen. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). 2011-01-01. ISBN 978-81-7993-358-9.
- ^ a b c Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
- ^ "Lai Haraoba". Sahapedia. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ^ "Lai Haraoba". Sahapedia. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ^ "Sacred groves Manipur need urgent attention".
