Govt urged to allow rituals at Mt Koubru
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 11 2025: The Government has been urged to allow holding "Nam Thingatpa" ritual at the abode of Ibudhou Koubru and Ibenthou Nungnangleima Shaphabi on Mount Koubru.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Koubru Laikha Laipham Kanba Lup (KLLKL) president Angom Manglem said that Nam Thingatpa is an important religious tradition of the Sekmai Chakpa Meitei community and it dates back to time immemorial.

Nam Thingatpa ritual is performed on Monday and Friday after the Cheiraoba festival at the abode of Ibudhou Koubru and Ibenthou Nungnangleima Shaphabi atop Koubru hills for the people who died in the previous year.

The people of Sekmai are unable to perform Nam Thingatpa ritual for two years because of the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023.As a result, all the people are deeply worried, Angom Manglem said.

With the intervention of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, customary religious rituals were performed without any major disturbance at the sacred site of Kongba Maru recently.

Recalling the Governor's assurance to allow pilgrimage to the sacred sites of Ibudhou Koubru and Ibudhou Moirang Thang-jing, he appealed to the Governor to see that the same assurance is translated into action.

He also appealed to the Governor to provide foolproof security so that the people of Sekmai can perform Nam Thingatpa ritual atop Koubru.

When a person of Sekmai dies, his family must perform Nam Thingatpa ritual the following year after the Cheiraoba festival at the abode of Ibudhou Koubru and Ibenthou Nungnangleima Shaphabi on Mount Koubru.

The ritual is dedicated to the departed soul, Angom Manglem said.

Saying that Mount Koubru is one of the most sacred sites of not only the people of Sekmai but also for the entire Meitei community, he urged the Government to protect and preserve the sacred site and its adjoining areas.

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