TODAY -

Sanamahism and Seven
- Part 1 -

S Balakrishnan *

Sanamahism temple at Kangla in May 2013
Sanamahism temple at Kangla in May 2013 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam



Sanamahism was revealed to us by Krishna, not the Lord but our Guide Krishna! We were into our second day trip of Manipur but were not aware of existence of such a pre-Hindu religious sect in Manipur. How ignorant of us! And, till our 4th day, neither did we know that it is still a vibrant sect. Ignorance is not bliss, we realised then.

In Bishnupur, as we were shopping for knickknacks in a shop, we found many religious/puja items, like the photo of the coiled snake, etc. It was then the revelation was made by our Guide Krishna. As other things were pre-occupying our mind, we did not probe about it further.

The next day, after Dol Jatra celebration at Lord Govindajee Mandir, when we visited Kangla Fort, we realised the importance of Sanamahism. A temple at the citadel of the erstwhile Kingdom, parallel to Lord Govindajee Mandir (old)! That meant to us that Sanamahism has a powerful role to play in Manipur society.

Again, the next day, we found a small temple of the sect at Chandel hill district, on our return journey from Moreh. Proceeding further towards Imphal, we witnessed vibrant Yaoshang celebrations by the sect's followers in Thoubal District; we were then rest assured that Sanamahism is not a pre-Hindu sect of bygone era but a vibrant religious sect to this day. This celebration of dance and music was a rewarding experience for us.

In Bishnupur, that little shop was brimming with religious items which were quite different for us South Indians. But how much can we buy? Already there were boxes and boxes of items procured from the places I worked and we travelled, fit for a mini museum. 'Just take a snap of the shop, enlarge it and hang it around your neck. There is simply no place in the house – either for artifacts or for the photo', snapped my wife. I obeyed her reluctantly and took a snap of the shop.

Of course, at Kangla Fort, we could only snap and buy nothing. It was our first darshan of a Sanamahism temple, Ibudhou Pakhangbagi Sanglen. The white temple with its own architectural style seen nowhere, presented a majestic appearance rising from the vast open ground. It seems number seven has some strong bond with Sanamahism.

Everything is represented in seven – the first flight of steps is seven; upon reaching the platform, another flight of seven steps lead to the altar; the towers (4 small and the big central one) above have seven rings each with horn-like shapes on either side that give a Viking helmet look; again, the flag poles on these towers have seven flags each in red, white, black, yellow, gold, blue and green colours.

The flag posts around the temple also have seven rings; on four sides of the structure seven folds cascade downward; these metal festoons resemble decorative stencils.

Everything and anything is revolving around number Seven, I wondered. Also in Tamu, the border town of Myanmar with Manipur, we found in the pagoda and stupas, seven images of Lord Buddha specifically representing each day of the week. So does this have anything to do with seven days of the week? I got the answer in a mythological story which I am reproducing here for the benefit of non-Manipuris:

According to the legends, Tengbanba-Mapu (Guru Sidaba), the creator of the Universe, desired to hand over the administration to one of his three sons, the one who was intelligent and talented amongst the three. His sons were called Atiya Sidaba, Sanamahi and Pakhangba. Guru Sidaba commanded that the one who arrived first at the throne after circling the earth seven times would succeed him. Accordingly, the first two sons mounted their horses and took off to circle the earth seven times.

But Pakhangba, who was physically weak, could not do so. The weakling was advised by his mother Leimarel Sidabi to just move around the throne of his father which was as good as circumambulating the earth itself. Pakhangba circled the throne seven times and ascended the throne of his father.

On return, both Atiya Sidaba and Sanamahi got agitated at their mother's partiality. They were pacified by their parents by declaring that Sanamahi would become the Lord of every household in this Universe, a household deity, and that Atiya Sidaba would be united with Guru Sidaba (Lord Tengbanba-Mapu) Himself!

Thus Pakhangba became Ibudhou (Lord) Pakhangba and the ruling deity of Manipur, while Sanamahi became the head of deities of every Meitei household. On reading this legend, I understood the relevance of number Seven and its omnipresence in the temple! Seven could also indicate the seven salais (clans) of Meitei created by Pakhangba, I read somewhere.


At this point, I can't help citing a mythological story prevalent in Tamil Nadu, quite similar to this legend. It goes like this – Once Siva & Parvathi were leisurely chatting in Kailash. At that time Saint Naradha came along with a rare mystic mango which he offered to Lord Siva.

Goddess Parvathi said it could be shared among their two children, Ganesh & Karthik. But the Lord felt that if cut, the fruit's specialty would be lost. He declared a contest for his sons – the one who circles the earth fast and reaches back first would be rewarded with the mango fruit. Thereupon Karthik took off on his peacock 'vahan' (mount) immediately.

Ganesh's vahan being mouse, he considered for a while and asked the Lord if one's parents were not equivalent to the earth, why, even universe. On an affirmative reply, he went around them and was instantaneously rewarded with the mango. Everything was over within a wink's time. On return, Karthik felt cheated and infuriated; in anger, he renounced everything, including the parents, and came down to a hill in Tamil Nadu and settled there.

Of course, he was later pacified by Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi. Thus goes mythology. This is said to be one of Siva's leelas. And the hill where Karthik stood came to be known as Pazhani (pazham=fruit, nee=you, meaning 'You are the fruit; as we now say ' the apple of my eye'). Here again a 'short cut' plays a pivotal role to win in the competition.

to be continued ....


* S Balakrishnan wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer can be reached at krishnanbala_2004(AT)yahoo(DOT)co(DOT)in
This article was posted on August 22 , 2016.


* 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
  • Scientists of Manipur : Laishram Ladu Singh
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2024 : Timeline
  • Imphal Ring Road Project to Transform
  • Crop/animal for higher productivity in NE #2
  • The Power of Poppy - 28 :: Poem
  • Condemned unabated illegal taxation
  • Watermelon : Super nutritious summer fruit
  • People have spoken, Manipur has voted
  • Skirting around core issues
  • Lok Sabha polls in Manipur #2 : Gallery
  • The Taj Mahal that bans Lovers !
  • Importance of bees !
  • Massive hailstorm in Jiribam
  • The messiah of hapless children
  • Attack on fuel tankers & blasting bridge
  • Blame it on Meetei
  • The Happiness Code : Download
  • NH-2 Bridge bombed @Sapermeina : Gallery
  • Crop/animal for higher productivity in NE #1
  • Training Programme under SPARK concluded
  • Why environment control is so difficult
  • 4th Foundation Day- Young Minds Collective
  • All set for second phase poll
  • The Nongsaba phenomenon
  • Khongjom Day @Khebaching #1 : Gallery
  • India's responsibility to end Manipur violence
  • Migrant worker could access TB services only
  • Importance of reading magazines as student
  • SHG pioneering agricultural innovation
  • Nearing the one year mark
  • The enemy within
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #2 : Gallery
  • Workshop @ NSU Manipur : Gallery
  • 15th Manipur State Film Awards 2023
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Panthoibi Shanglen
  • GSDP doubles, health shines
  • Vote has been cast, repoll held
  • Two faces of democracy
  • Laurels for Scientist Ngangkham Nimai
  • Crime against women in Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Sugnu
  • Creativity & innovation for vibrant career
  • 4th Foundation Day of YMC
  • Racing towards one year mark
  • Prophetic words, indeed
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #14 :: Book
  • 174th Anniv Maharaj Narasingh #1 : Gallery
  • Ensuring Fair Voting in Hills of Manipur
  • Dr Irengbam Mohendra's latest book :: Rvw
  • NDA has the advantage in both
  • Lok Sabha polls in Manipur #1 : Gallery
  • L Rup's Robot 'Kangleinganbi' in Manipuri
  • Art- means of connecting hearts in Manipur
  • Is it Living Alive or Living Death ? :: Poem
  • Rabies - A preventable zoonotic disease
  • April 19, 2024: The blackest day of all
  • Ugly turns on voting day
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #2 : Gallery
  • The chasm between TB & HIV continues
  • Parliament and its Members
  • Kimchi for health and glowing skin
  • LS election with a difference
  • To vote, or not to vote ?
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2 : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Lamjao, Kakching
  • The Power of Poppy - 27 :: Poem
  • Mother Language based education essential
  • Modi's warriors wear regional hats
  • Nest Asia promoting Northeastern Cuisine
  • Now look beyond LS poll
  • The rot in the system
  • Scientists of Manipur : Laitonjam Warjeet
  • Community seed bank @Umathel : Gallery
  • 10 candidates cracked Civil Services Exam
  • Milk of Paradise: History of Opium : Rvw
  • How plastics find their way into our bodies
  • Condemning attack on Trucks along NH-37
  • Cong looking to buck the trend
  • Saving Manipur
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #2
  • Election Duty :: Travellog
  • 1st Nagas' Meet in Punjab
  • How to select right MP to represent Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Tejpur
  • Bats are Keystone species for the Planet
  • The '15 days' conundrum
  • Free but not so fair
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #30: Download
  • Before You Vote : My Rumbling Thoughts
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Kakching
  • Meiraba wins All India Sr tournament
  • Finding light in dark through my daughter
  • Navigating life's unreasonable expectations
  • Test of people's character
  • BJP's election manifesto
  • Athoubasingi Numit #1 : Gallery
  • Black rice & Glycemic Index
  • What Nadda should speak at Dimapur rally
  • Open Letter to CM Office Manipur
  • Meghalaya unveils Strawberry festival
  • Benefits of maths newspapers for students
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #1 : Gallery
  • Are you a good person ?
  • Physics Academy of NE : Executive Body
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Moirang
  • Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin launched
  • Cong on cautious path
  • Botox for Hair
  • Posers voters should raise now
  • The lull before the storm
  • 80th Anniv- Battle of Kanglatongbi @UK
  • Vir Chakra Ngangom Joydutta's bust unveiled
  • Hun - Thadou Cultural Festival : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Singjamei
  • Election Eclipses: Ballad of Battle & Loss
  • Our voices are equal at the ballot box
  • Scientists of Manipur : Ngangkham Nimai
  • Urgent Call for Solidarity in Manipur
  • Meitei Nongsha #2 :: An Artwork
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Waikhong
  • About NPF-BJP-NPP alliance & why ?
  • World Veterinary Day, 2024
  • The heavy stake behind the LS polls
  • The politics of lying & deception
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #1 : Gallery
  • Hun-Thadou Cultural Fest @ Delhi: Report
  • Appeal to Parties & Candidates
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Wangoo
  • Establishment of community seed bank
  • Awareness Programme on new Criminal Laws
  • Make a right choice at the Lok Sabha election
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #1
  • RIST talk-58 : Support systems of elderly
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Hiyanglam
  • Vote, do not boycott !
  • Lok Sabha election: A new dawn in politics ?
  • IIT-Guwahati Half Marathon report
  • Taking ST demand to the election ring
  • Lesson to be learnt from across border
  • Mirabai: Poised for Paris Olympics
  • Legal position for protection of environment
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Keisamthong
  • Heterocyclic compound & biochemical science
  • Inner, torn between two lovers
  • Certification Music Therapy Workshop
  • NOTA as a choice
  • Caesar's wife must be above suspicion
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #29: Download
  • World Health Day 2024
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Pangantabi
  • The Power of Poppy - 26 :: Poem
  • Fulbright Fellowship Outreach at Arunachal
  • Id-ul Fitr da namaz nattana..
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #13 :: Book
  • Lok Sabha election is coming, be prepared
  • 6th Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival
  • Let There Be Free & Fair Election
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Lamlong
  • Science magazines are important for student
  • Interesting choice of candidates
  • The power of We, the voters
  • Inspirations from Scientists of Manipur #1
  • The Case for Amendment of Article 371-C
  • Meitei Nongsha #1 :: Artwork
  • Link between forest & conflict in Manipur
  • Final Call for Application MFA - Phase-2
  • ST for Meiteis call before elections
  • Passing the buck
  • Beating of the Retreat #1 : Gallery
  • Life of our Lives in Ethnic Strife Era! :: Poem
  • IIT-Guwahati annual Half Marathon
  • Follow up: European Parliament on Manipur
  • Yoga & Kegel exercise: Pelvic floor workout
  • Opting for the NOTA button
  • Yearning of the displaced people
  • Kenedy Khuman (Singer) : Gallery
  • 5th NE Women's Peace Congregation
  • World Autism Awareness Day 2024
  • Election fever grips Manipur despite unrest
  • Looking for a decent election hustings
  • Clock ticking towards voting day
  • An exemplary directive
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #1 : Gallery
  • Memo to Election Commission of India
  • Easter & Holi echo in Nilgiris
  • Holiday Camp for children at JNMDA, Imphal
  • Zero waste is our moral responsibility
  • Elections & loyalty vis-a-vis Manipur crisis
  • Show of strength without unity
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #2 : Gallery
  • Panthoi Chanu : 1st to play in Australia
  • Intensive labs in film preservation
  • Building bridges with books
  • Need of the hour: Political maturity
  • Accepting defeat before the election
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #28: Download
  • April Calendar for Year 2024 : Tools
  • Natural packaging from bamboo : Gallery
  • The Power of Poppy - 25 :: Poem
  • Everyone has their own Bharat Ratna
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #12 :: Book
  • Demand- Manipuri as classical language
  • The Drummer from Odisha
  • Beauty benefits of lemon
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur's original Ponies : Gallery
  • Yaoshang & Dance of Democracy loom
  • Symposium on Jagadguru Shankaracharya
  • Choosing ITI as a campus after X
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #1 : Gallery
  • Yaoshang @Nabadwip Dham : Gallery
  • How oral health affects your pregnancy
  • Two faces of Holi
  • Prawaas 4.0, Multimodal Transport Show
  • A decade of development of higher education
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #1 : Gallery
  • Our Eternal Kangleipak :: Poem
  • Micro-livestock for livelihoods: For NE States
  • The fun of Holi used to be monotonous
  • 2nd Annual Art Exhibition #1 : Gallery
  • About the "Meitei" community from Manipur
  • Unveiling the medicinal benefits of honey
  • The incalculable value of wildlife
  • Promises of true love
  • Trends, Alliances, & Challenges in Elections
  • Meitei Goddess Ngaleima : An Artwork
  • Lamta Thangja @ Imphal : Gallery
  • Meira Paibis of Manipur
  • North East Film Festival #2 : Gallery
  • Students @ Class X Exam : Gallery
  • Saroi Khangba @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Protest for scrapping SoO #2 :Gallery
  • Shopping List for Shivaratri : Gallery
  • N Tombi Equestrian C'ships #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #1: Gallery
  • Radio E-pao: Manipuri Film OST (130+ song)
  • Save Manipur : Protest [Feb 15] #3 : Gallery
  • Naorem Roshibina- Wushu Medallist : Gallery
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD