| Nungthel Leima | |
|---|---|
first villager | |
| Member ofLairembis | |
| Other names |
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| Affiliation | Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) |
| Texts | Puyas |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Manipur) |
| Ethnic group | Meitei |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | |
| Consort | Loyalakpa |
| Part ofa series on |
| Sanamahism |
|---|
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Scripture
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Nungthel Leima is a goddess inMeitei mythology andreligion. She is an adopted daughter of the GodKoubru and GoddessKounu.[1] She is a wife of the GodLoyalakpa.[2][3] She is regarded as the deity of the Khunjahanba.[4] She is one of the incarnations ofLeimarel Sidabi.
The name Thoudu Nungthel Leima (Manipuri: ꯊꯧꯗꯨ ꯅꯨꯡꯊꯦꯜ ꯂꯩ,/tʰəu.dunúŋ.tʰellə́i.ma/ (IPA))) or Thoudu Nungthen Leima (ꯊꯧꯗꯨ ꯅꯨꯡꯊꯦꯟ ꯂꯩꯃ,/tʰəu.dunúŋ.tʰenlə́i.ma/ (IPA)) is described as the deity of the first citizen (Manipuri: ꯈꯨꯟꯖꯥ ꯑꯍꯥꯟꯕ,romanized:Khunjahanba,lit. 'first villager').[4]
The GoddessLeimarel Sidabi incarnated herself as a little girl and laid herself on a stone slab in the riverbed. On the same day, God Koubru and Goddess Kounu were walking nearby. Koubru got very thirsty, so he went down the riverside to drink water. He found the girl on the river bed. Koubru shouted three times asking if there was anyone for the baby girl. Since no one responded, Koubru and Kounu took the girl to their divine home.[5] The girl was adopted as their own daughter. She was given three names. She was calledIpok Leima because she was found in the stream. She was also namedThoudu Nungthel Leima because she was found lying on a stone slab. And, her final name wasTaipang Nganpi because she was beautiful as well as bright.[6]
Nungthel Leima is married to GodLoyalakpa. However, she was once admired by GodKhoriphaba. Once Khoriphaba was offered a chance by God Koubru to choose any lady of his own desire from the latter's place. Unfortunately, Goddess Nungthel Leima was chosen by Khoriphaba. But since Nungthel Leima was already married, God Koubru could not give Khoriphaba the chosen lady. Koubru did not want to take back his own words. So, he asked Khoriphaba to choose a lady once again but he should do it blindfolded. Blindfolded Khoiriphaba tried to choose but could not get Goddess Nungthel Leima. This event is enacted by themaibis in theLai Haraoba festival till present times.[7][1]
The sacredLai Haraoba festival is annually celebrated in honor of goddess Thoudu Nungthel Leima, besides other deities.[4]
On 19 January 2018, a newly constructed temple of Ema Nungthel Leima was inaugurated atTop Siphai byOinam Lukhoi, the then MLA ofWangoi Assembly Constituency. During the inaugural event, Oinam Lukhoi announced on the proposals toManipur State Government to re-develop the existing sacred temples in the Wangoi AC, including other temples of goddess Nungthel Leima.[8]
Nungthel Leima Tollomkhombada Thajaba is a book written by Naoroibam Khamba. It was released on 17 January 2021.[9][10][11]
