TODAY -

Dr Jamini Devi's 'Lumbini Leikolda Shat-houba Leirang' :: Book Review

Jodha C Sanasam *



The name of Oja Dr Ch. Jamini Devi’s book is "Lumbini Leikolda Shat-houba Leirang"; its literal meaning is The Flower That Was Found Blooming at The Lumbini Garden.’ Here in this book she narrates about the experiences, which she and her team of the Raseswari Pala came into, during their religious tour in Nepal and also at a few centers in the West Bengal. This book, as the author herself mentions, belongs to the genre of a travelogue. The tourist spots she and her team covered, which are rather more of religious centers, to mention a few Kathmandu, Pokhra, Chittawan, Lumbini, are all in Nepal. All of us know Nepal is a country that belongs to the Himalayan Region.

The author’s beginning sentence itself in her forward ‘The Himalayas stand as the King of Mountains’ shows a vast canvas in her initial presentation of the book.

As a lover of Nature and its creations, she expresses her feelings, which she had when she saw the majestic look of the snow clad Himalayan range and its magnanimity in terms of its rivers, and its flora and fauna, as the gift of nature. Her chanting of a hymn to the Buddha, I believe, will reach out to touch the heart of any reader:
'Asto ma sadagamaya, Tamaso ma jyortigamaya, Mrito ma amritanggamaya'

She gives her views too on the possibility of the outstretching hands of Buddhism to have had reached Manipur even, a land in a far corner of the world. She discusses about the ancient and distinct artifacts and gods’ figures that we in Manipur have, which as she claims, have features similar to the Buddhist art and culture, and craft and architecture. She shows examples with photographs in this book.

She mentions too that Buddhism appears with certain variations in different aspects from place to place according to the land or region, as she came across: Buddhism in Myanmar, Buddhism in Sikkim, so on and so forth.

Raseswari Pala, her team, is a religious and cultural group of ladies. So far I know, it is a team of ladies or women whose fathers or mothers are or were of the Royal Family Pedigree. They perform Sankeertan group songs, which are devotional in nature, with a strong faith that God Himself participates in or is present during their performance. The devotional songs are of Hindu and Vaishnavite faith; are of stories about Lord Krishna and Radhika, and about Chatanya Mahaprabhu and his devotee followers.

I believe, the members of Raseswari Pala are kind of followers of Sheeja Laioibee, the devotee daughter of Rajarshee Bhagyachandra, the King of Manipur who enriched Vaishnavism intermixed with Manipuri culture; he was the creator of the worldwide famous Rasa Leela as we know it today.

Before the team departed for their journey, they took the opportunity of receiving the blessings of Her Excellency the Governor of Manipur Dr Najma Heptulla to inform her Excellency too that they were embarking on this religious journey in the land of Nepal.

In fact, Oja Jamini probably had already planned to write down every detail of this pilgrimage journey in her diary and make a travelogue out of it. Unfortunately she had an accident in the beginning part of their move and her right hand got injured incapacitating her to write. Her account in this book is more of a post-tour writing which she has done pretty well.

Well, Oja Dr Jamini Devi, many of us know her very well, she needs no introduction to us. She is a prolific writer who has had more than forty books published under her authorship. She was the Chairperson of the Manipur State Commission for Women too. Her books are of various genres: essays, aspects on art and culture, short story collection, poetry, travelogues and many others. As she was closely associated with education, sports and physical training and social activities, her writing thus tends to dwell more in the uplift of education, social norms, cultural and devotional studies of faith and religion, study tour for children, study of environment etc.

There are two composites in literary writing namely ‘fact’ and ‘fiction’. As most of Oja Jamini’s books are of essays, travelogues or the like, her style of writing is also more dominant in facts than in fiction. Thus her travelogue books sound very suitable and distinct with her tenet and areas chosen. We are proud that we have such a dynamic woman writer in the person of Oja Jamini among us, after the generation of the three pioneer women writers of Manipur, namely Oja Thoibi, Mk Binodini and Khaidem Pramodini.

In this present book, the author herself says, ‘This is not just a travel or tour; rather is a journey of culture.’ History reveals that Manipuri women took active roles in trade and commerce, especially in selling vegetables in the markets of the Northeast: in areas of the present Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam and Meghalaya. Many others left their homeland and followed their Princesses who got married to Kings and Princes of the kingdoms of Tripura, Shivsagar, Cachar etc. In the later part of the centuries following the conversion of the population into Hindu Vaishnavism, flocks of women have been traveling beyond Manipur on pilgrimage to centers like Nabadweep, Brindavana, Mathura and even Dwarka in Gujarat.

In the modern days many Manipuri young girls and ladies are now travelling outside Manipur in pursuits of educational studies, sports activities, and for earning in jobs. Apart from all these, it is Oja Dr Jamini who has taken the role model of a leader to have taken housewife women who have not traveled outside Manipur, youngish and middle aged women and women on the elder side to visit religious and cultural centers far away from home. While doing so, she imparts in them travel experience and knowledge of the modern infrastructures seen at the cities, airports and hotels. It is her genuine interest and praiseworthy dedicated deed as part of her program for women uplift and women empowerment as well.

I would rather not go into a lengthy narrative about this book. I would rather leave it for the readers to find out their own sensibilities as they read. Here the writer has covered every detail of their experiences during the tour: starting from the incident of the ignorance of a member with the security procedure at the Imphal airport itself, their arrival at the Tribhuban International Airport in Kathmandu, their stay at the Manasarovar Hotel, their visits first at the Kopal Monastery, Buddhanatha Stupa, Buddha Neelakantha Vishnu Moorti at Ratnapuri, and then most importantly their Raseswari Pala Sankeertan performance at the world famous and world heritage site Pashupatinath Temple.

With the favor of the office of the highest pinnacle of the country i.e., the President of Nepal Smti Vidhya Devi Bhandari, they had the opportunity of having a rare thrill of a reception extended by the President of the country herself. They exchanged talks on the facts of historical relationship between Manipur and Nepal in the sense that Nepal Princess lswari married Maharaja Bodhachandra of Manipur and became the Queen of Manipur.

At Pokhra they stayed at Centrelake Hotel; they did not miss a boat ride trip on the Phewa Lake, a shopping spree at Malakhu Bazar; visited the Davy’s Falls, Mahendra Cave etc. At Chittawan they ventured a Jungle Safari. The natural beauty of Pokhra and Chittawan enchanted them. They visited a model village and Tharu Museum too there. Lumbini was the last site they visited in Nepal. There they went to see the Statue of Buddha at the Lumbini Garden, Ashoka Pillar, Lumbini International Peace Flame, Maya Devi Mandir etc.

On their way back from Nepal they touched Nabadweep, performed their Raseshwari Pala Sankeertan at Anuprabhu Mandir. The Anuprabhu statue sculptured with the same jackfruit wood out of which the Govindaji Statue at the Govindaji Temple here at Imphal was hued. It was again Shija Laioibee, the devotee daughter of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra to have taken the God’s Statue as she settled at Nabadweep in worship of her God. They had a detour too, to Murshidabad perhaps to visit the Samadhi of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra. There they organized a symposium wherein many Vaishnavite scholars of Bengal participated; Oja Jamini was one of the resource persons. There too, they sang their Raseshwari Pala Sankeertan in front of the Bor Govinda God.

Finally when they reached home, in the mandap pavilion of Shri Shri Govindaji Temple; the statues of Lord Krishna and Radhika came out of the temple on entourage, they sang their Raseswari Pala Sankeertan.
Oja Dr Jamini Devi possesses a distinct style of her own, especially in writing travelogue and she is good there. This she had shown earlier too with her previous two or three travelogues, which were also more like religious and cultural trips. Her words and expressions are striking with strength and with a good flow of literary values. Readers, I am sure, will enjoy going through the pages. This book will definitely be a part in the treasure of Manipuri Literature. God bless Oja Dr Jamini.


* Jodha C Sanasam wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on August 06, 2017.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #8
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • The fight for survival in Manipur
  • A call for unity from displaced voices
  • COVID-19: Update 08 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Dogs Are Staying on the Ground :: Poem
  • Football Tournament at Heinoukhongnembi
  • Condemns Kuki Inpi's Directive
  • Installation Ceremony of Lions Club, Imphal
  • All that can go wrong has gone wrong
  • Manipur peaceful from Delhi's perspective
  • Bashanta Ras @Govindaji #2 : Gallery
  • Hypocrisy & the betrayal of sovereignty
  • Healing with Art for children concluded
  • Manipur : Champions 24th Junior Natl Wushu
  • Path to Becoming a Leader Who Inspires
  • Van Mahotsav 2025, festival of life
  • The Flavours of Life :: Poem
  • Assault on sensibilities of the media
  • Revival of MPP after years of bitter disputes
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 2 : Ooba Video
  • Jianreilung, Chingamba, Masounii : eMing
  • How Jessami conservation of Nongin
  • Shija Hospitals turns 40
  • COVID-19: Update 06 July 2025 : Manipur
  • The Indomitable Young Souls :: Poem
  • Growing network of drug dealers in country
  • Politics of SoO pact since 2008
  • No takers for disturbance-free education
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025