Erosion taking toll on Khwairakpa Eerel
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Lakhipur Khunnou, March 26, 2013: Khwairakpa Eerel, a sacred site for the Meeteis located in an island hill of Barak River at Cachar has been eroded gradually by the high waves and strong current of the river.

Unless, the government takes up necessary steps to prevent further erosion, the sacred place of the Meeteis would be engulfed by the water of Barak River completely, said Hamom Dhani, President of Meetei National Front, Jiri Branch, has expressed apprhension.

A team of Meetei National Front and Editorial Board of Pandam, a monthly journal in Meetei Mayek, which is currently conducting a tour to trace Meetei settlements in Jiri, Cachar and Tripura met Dhani, who is really worried about the problem of erosion that the sacred site has been exposed to.

One needs to travel a distance of around 20 km in Barak River from Lakhipur Khunnou (Fulatol) to reach the sacred site which is located in an island hill of Barak river.

It normally takes 90 minutes to reach the hill from Lakhipur Khunou on a motorboat.

Dhani said that the history of the sacred site of Khwarakpa Eerel goes back to the period of seven years' devastation when the then king of Manipur Marjit fled to Kamangcha village of Cachar.

Following the defeat in the hands of the marauding Burmese forces, a close officer of the King, Khwairakpam Selungba spent his last days meditating in the hill for 21 days without any food.

Since then, Meeteis in the area regarded the place as a sacred site of their their forefathers.

He further informed that Meeteies who follow Hinduism named the place as Narando Baba, which literally means big island hill and used to worship Mahadeva there.

However, Khwairakpa Eerel Ngaksellup guarded the place and began worshipping Nongpok Ningthou.

Following gradual erosion of the hill, Khwairakpa Eerel Ngaksellup has constructed an abode for Nongpok Ningthou and Panthoibi and a community hall at an adjacent hillock.

The visiting team has assured to press the state government to discuss the matter with Assam government and take up necessary actions to prevent further erosion.

The team also expressed desire to recognition of the day of Khwairakpa Eerel Chingoi Eeruppa in the government and public calendars.

On its third day, the team will visit Laishram Khul at Cachar Jaribond, the birth place of Laininghal Naoriya Phulo.

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