Puya burning day observed as Dark Day
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 25 2010: Puya Meithaba, the day on which Meetei Puyas (Old Scriptures) were consigned to flames was remembered today as a Dark Day in the history of Manipur by various civil organisations.

The main observance of the day was marked by a mass procession in Imphal.

Meetei Puyas (Holy Meetei Scriptures) had been consigned to flames at Kangla Uttra at the instigation of Santidas Gosai, who introduced Vaishnavism in the state.

But the day on which the event took place is not yet clear.

When the day should be observed–on the 17th day of Mera (October) in 1732 while some observed the day in the month of January.

Mass rally in Imphal to observe the 3rd Dark Day organised by ACOAM LUP

They believed that the event took place on the 23rd day of Wakching (January) in 1729 .

Former MEELAL president Ngashepam Yumchao pointed out the mistake in observing the event in two difference day as a mistake of the historians of the state while speaking as guest of honour at an observance organized by the Western Art Social and Cultural Progressive Association, New Cachar Road observed the day at Science Museum, Takyelpat.

He opined that the contention on the day of burning has been surfaced due to some mistake in writing the history stressing the need for rectification of the same and worked out a consensus to observe the day on a single day by all.

It was definitely unethical action in the history of Manipur when the holy books which recorded the origin of the people and the structure of the society.

The king and his preceptor had done it under the instigation of the Santidas when there was no fruitful result to the strong objection of this disastrous conduct of the king in spreading the Vaishanvism in the soil of the state, he observed.

In his speech as chief guest of the function, MLA Sapam Kunjakishore recalled that the burning of the holy ancient holy books took place during the reign of Gabhiniwaj Maharaj who colluded with Santiday Gosian.

Terming the day as an important day in the history of Manipur, he appealed to the organizers to arrange for observing the day widespread from next year.

Retired lecturer of Oriental College, Dr M Kouba who presided the function said that the even was the most socking even in the history of the state.

The All Clubs, Organisations Association of Meira Paibi Lup (ACOAM Lup) observed day with a mass procession.

Leishemba Sanajoaba also took part in the procession which was started from GM Hall upto Kangla Utra where a ritual was performed by the Amaibas and Amaibis.

People of different ethnic communities took part the procession in which was converged at GM Hall again after performing the ritual at Kangla Utra where the formal function was held.

As chief guest of the function, Leishemba Sanajaoba observed that since the day of burning the puyas, the aged civilization of Manipur slow down.

The state faced many hardships in the aftermath of the burning of the holy books.

Many important write ups about the relationship among the people of different ethnic communities settling in the state had also been included in the burning.

This has resulted in faring the hill people away from the valley people, he observed.

The observance function was presided by president of the ACOAM Lup, Indrakumar Ningomba.

Padmashree award winner A Tomba, president of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Lup Longjam Memchoubi, president of League of the Forward World People, Kangleipak, Thaimei of Apunba Lup, Kanglamei president Leirikleima, president of Kabui Mother Association Kakomlinglu Kamei, IPSA advisor Ibotombi Khuman, FRIENDS president Jadumani, CLK advisor, Ayengpam Langdon, NIPCO vice president Sunil Karam, KANGLEICHAL president Ayangleima, president of Kangleipak Students' Association Yumnam Bobo, etc.

attended the function as special invitees and guests of honour.