Pakhangba shrine atop Uyal hill found vandalised
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 22 2024:
The shrine of Ibudhou Pakhangba located atop Uyal Cheiraoching in Thoubal district was found vandalized by unknown miscreants, late Tuesday night.
The said shrine holds significant religious importance and is regarded as a sacred site by Meetei people following Sanamahism, and people from across the state including surrounding areas such as Uyal, Wangbal, Kairembikhok, Wangjing, Salungpham, Heirok, Langmeithet and Icham Khunou, visit to offer prayers.
The vandalism was discovered by some locals around 5 am on Wednesday.
These locals alerted the shrine committee members, who found the shrine in a state of complete devastation upon inspection.
Speaking to reporters in this regard, Committee secretary Huidrom Doren detailed the extent of the vandalism, including the door of the shrine forcibly broke open.
Additionally, the cloth wrapping the idols of Ibudhou and Ibendhou had been removed and other religious items inside the shrine were burnt outside.
The area where the deities were seated was also found destroyed.
This deliberate act of desecration has caused significant distress among the Meetei community, which holds the shrine in high reverence, the secretary rued.
He also said that the committee had been observing ritual ceremonies of the deities on a yearly basis.
However, it is very unfortunate that the shrine has been deliberately destroyed by miscreants, an act akin to affronting Meetei community following Sanamahism.
Upon hearing about the perceivable acts of vandalism, Keirao MLA L Ra-meshwar assessed the situation.
Condemning the dastardly act, he said that the miscreants will definitely be punished by the Almighty God.
Along with him, representatives of Sana Konung Utra Sanglen, Thoubal OC and additional SP and others following Meetei religion (Sanamahism) also visited the site.
While expressing deep regret over the deliberate destruction of the shrine of Ibudhou Pakhangba and Ibendhou Leishna atop Uyal Cheiraoching by miscreants, MLA Rameshwar said that various items from the shrine were removed and burnt outside.
He also emphasised the importance of supporting the upcoming ritual ceremony of Ibudhou Pakhangba and Ibendhou Leishna, which is scheduled for conduct during the summer season, and called upon the community to extend their support and assistance in performing the ritual ceremony, underscoring the significance of unity and cooperation in these trying times.
Meanwhile, Sana Konung Utra Shanglen Angom King Pariton, who also visited the site for inspection along with political activist Sapamcha Kangleipak said that this day will be one of the darkest days for the people following Sanamahi religion.
While condemning the act, he appealed to the authority concerned to take all possible steps to ensure such incidents do not recur.