Moirang Thanjing Lai Haraoba

By Deepak Shijagurumayum *

These are the some words given by the Amaiba's of Ibudhou Thangjing, Moirang. Moirang is situated in Bishnupur District which is 45km from Imphal. Moirang Lai Haraoba of Ibudhou Thangjing is started from our fore father (me ga lai ga samnaringei as said by the amaiba).

Every year Lai Haroaba is started from kalen tritiya (hoomni panba). For this year 2009, it is started from 26th April & it will be finish on 27th of May.

Lai Haraoba is performed for 30 to 40 days, no specific days were given (it depends on situation). It is organized by a mandal of Moirang. Madal means committee formed by 90 members from 30 leikais (locality) {3 people per leikai} with amaibas'.

Well designed gate with Ningkham Samji & Kajenglei

For this Lai Haraoba different program is performing for each 3 years.

1. Lai Lamthokpa,
2. Lai Khongchingba,
3. Lai Yumphamba.

This year is going to perform Lai Yumphamba.

Some short history for Ibudhou Thangjing.

(1) Hei-e-chack,
(2) Haya –chack,
(3) Haya-langba,
(4) Konna-chack {Khunnung-chack]
the different centuries for the meitei's mythology. At this time meteis believed that there were seven kings (taken as God). Last king is the stage for man & God.

Khuyum Lai(God) & Namu Taibang Me(Human being) is the period known as Sunu Cha by meiteis fore father. Started from this, God of meities played different role in different image.

At the first stage God known as Thang Thang Ponleng Hanba was born. Meteis fore father believes that from this stage Lai Haraoba was started.

Different events were played during the time of God also (as hero & heroine). Amaiba said some of the God & Goddess played different role in different images in all those century as mentioned above.

Different forms/images were

1. Saamba Lamganba (God)
   Khamnung Yaiding Koonnu(Goddess)
2. Henjunaha
   Thongnao Lairu Lembi
3. Haoba
   Koonnu
4. Kadeng Thangja Hanba(famous in designing knife)
   Toonnu Laiching Lembi
5. Akongjamba
   Phou Oibi
6. Khamba
   Thoibi

In the surrounding if Ibudhou Thangjing (known as leikol), there are three impotant trees
(1) Kiyam Lei,
(2) Tomal,
(3) Khongnang.

Iboudhou Thangjing is faced on west side. On the right side of Ibodhou there is a Phamdeng(place to sit for God) for nine Gods known as Laibungthou Mapal, and on the left side there is Phamdeng for seven gods known as Lai Nura Taret.

Well designed gate with Ningkham Samji & Kajenglei

And there is another two rituals; he says it's the parents for Ibudhou. Shanlens(place to rest) on the north is for Amaiba's woman, shanglen on the west side is for Phamnaibi and shanglen on the south is for phamnaiba.

In the center of this leikol(surrounding) there is a stage surrounded by Shattra's (cultural flag) of different colours.

Just adjacent of this stage(west) there is a place covered by stone where Ibudhou's child umbilical cord were dig and covered (Ibudhou ge macha ge khoiri phumpham), north place there is a stone to tie an animal (known as khabana cow phabage punpham).

In front of the temple there is a place to sit for pena instrumentalist & maibi(north side).

See a gallery on this year haraoba here.

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* Deepak Shijagurumayum (An Engineering student, based in Imphal) contributes regularly to e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at deepak_korn111(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in
This article was webcasted at e-pao.net on 08th June 2009.

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