Artwork by Goutamkumar Oinam (Public Domain)
Nongpok Ningthou —Guardian God of the East
Lainingthou Nongpok Ningthou, also known as Angoupa Kainou Chingsompa Chingu Apanpa, is the Guardian God of the Eastern Direction and one of the primordial gods in the ancient Meitei mythology (old Manipuri mythology) and Sanamahism religion. He’s first mentioned in the Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya, the oldest known Meitei text, as a member of the nine Laipungthou gods.
He’s best known as a handsome God, always associated with the attributes of being a hunter, a lover, a physician and an adventurer. Legend says he gets united with his ultimate lover, Goddess Panthoibi in the legendary Selloi Langmai Nongpok Ching (Nongmaiching Hill), which is his sacred abode. The result of their divine union is celebrated as “Lai Haraoba” festival, pioneered by the gods and goddesses and later preceded by the mankind.
He’s mentioned in both the “Panthoibi Khongul” as well as the “Panthoibi Naheirol”, the two sacred texts associated with Goddess Panthoibi.
In the “Panthoibi Naheirol”, he’s described as follows:
In the Eastern Region, there’s one who has conquered Kyang of Burma and whose dominion extends far into the North. He’s also regarded as an able physician for all, irrespective of one’s standing in life.
Again in the same text, he’s once more described in a conversation of goddess Panthoibi with her mother:
There’s one who is reigning supreme in the Langmai Hill on whose slope the sun shines first. He’s so powerful that he can walk in the air stepping on the clouds and can circumambulate the world seven times a day without ever showing weariness.
According to the ancient legends, he dwells in the Langmai Hill, with his consort Panthoibi.
In the 18th century CE, his pantheon was diminished by Hinduised Meitei ruler Pamheiba, the then emperor of Kangleipak (modern day Manipur), and replaced it with that of Lord Shiva Maha Deva, his Hinduism equivalent God.
