Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Goddess Imoinu — Worshipping & Offerings
Grandmother Goddess of every household
In the rich tapestry of classical Meitei mythology, Imoinu (also known as Emoinu) emerges as a revered female deity. She embodies multifaceted aspects, presiding over wealth, prosperity, the hearth fire, and the sacred bonds of home and family. Within the context of Sanamahism—a traditional religion practiced in Kangleipak (Manipur)—Imoinu stands singularly as the sole deity honored within the intimate confines of the kitchen, where she assumes her own divine pantheon. This unique veneration underscores her significance in the daily lives of households, where the warmth of the hearth and the sustenance of family are intertwined with her benevolent presence. 🌟🔥🏠🌿
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Revered as the "Queen of the Kitchen," this maternal goddess, who resides within the heart of culinary activity, is accompanied by a set of essential guidelines—both prescriptive and prohibitive—during her worship and the presentation of offerings. 🌟🍲🙏
When making offerings to the revered goddess, there are certain objects that should “not” be presented. These include items that are considered inauspicious or incompatible with her divine presence. 🙏🚫
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
When offering reverence to the goddess, there exists a list of items that should “not” be presented. These include prawns (known as "khajing" in Manipuri), any creature with four limbs (referred to as "makhong mari paanba shaa"), specific fish varieties such as ngamu, ngarin, ngakra, ngakijou, nganal, ngaril, nganap, ngamhai, and ngaprum—whether fresh, cooked, roasted, or fried. Additionally, meats from chickens (fowls) or waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans), garlic (referred to as "chanam" in Manipuri) and garlic-infused foodstuffs, varnish tree fruit (known as "heimang" in Manipuri), dropwort plant (referred to as "komprek" in Manipuri), and the herb culantro (also known as "Shaa maroi" or "Awaa phadigom" in Manipuri) are excluded. Furthermore, eggs from fowls (hens) or waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans) should not be offered. 🙏🚫🌿
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
When it comes to offerings, the Shareng fish (Wallago attu) has restricted usage. As a more suitable alternative, consider replacing it with white, fair, or light-colored fish species or varieties (referred to as "nga angouba"). 🐟🙏
May the benevolent mother goddess bestow her blessings upon all—her devoted followers and others alike. I humbly offer my obeisance to you, O compassionate Queen, guardian of humanity! 🙏🌟
Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Special Notes:
* In linguistic, ethnic as well as cultural aspects, Meitei is synonymous with Meetei, Mitei, Meithei, Manipuri, Kanglei, Poirei, etc.
* Traditional Meitei ethnic religion is also known as Sanamahism (or Sanamahi religion), Sannamahism (or Sannamahi religion), Lainingthouism (or Lainingthou religion), Kangleism, Meiteism, Meeteism, Miteism, Meitheism, Manipurism, etc.
* In religious aspect, a believer or a follower or a theologist of the traditional Meitei religion is known as Sanamahist, Sannamahist, Lainingthouist, Kangleist, Meiteist, Meeteist, Miteist, Meitheist, Manipurist, etc.
* Ancient land of the Meitei speaking people (alias Manipuri speaking people) is known as Kangleipak, Meiteileipak, Meeteileipak, Miteileipak, Meiteileibak, Meeteileibak, Miteileibak, Meitrabak, Poireilam, Tilli Koktong, Leikoilel, Leikoilen, Sanaleipak, Sanaleibak, Sannaleipak, Sannaleibak, etc. In present day, most of its parts is located in what we now call Manipur state, with few others in the state's neighboring places.
* In English terms, the Meitei realm is also known as Meiteidom, Meeteidom, Miteidom, Meitheidom, Manipuridom, Kangleidom, Meiteisphere, Meeteisphere, Miteisphere, Meitheisphere, Manipurisphere, Kangleisphere, etc.
