Religion:Thongalel

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Short description: Meitei God of death

"Khamnung Thongalel" (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯅꯨꯡ ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯜ), also known as "Leinung Thongaren Sidaba" (Meitei: ꯂꯩꯅꯨꯡ ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯔꯦꯟ ꯁꯤꯗꯕ) is the god of death and the ruler of the Khamnung kingdom, the land of death, with its capital being Khamnung Sawa in Meitei mythology.[1]

Thongalel
ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯜ
God of Death
Ruler of the Khamnung kingdom
Member of Meitei Guardians of the Directions
AffiliationSanamahism and Meitei mythology
AbodeKhamnung kingdom
Personal information
SiblingsChīngkhong Poireiton
Consort
  • Lāikhūrembī (Chief Queen of the underworld)
  • Thongaak Leima (Mistress of the entrance to the underworld)
  • Khamnūng Kīkoī Louonbī (Mistress-in charge of all the souls)
  • Lāinaotābī (Concubine gifted away to younger brother Poireiton)
Greek equivalentHades[2]
Hinduism equivalentYama[3]

Legend says Laikhurembi is the chief queen of Thongaren, who was later handed to Nongda Lairen Pakhangba changing the name as Laishna.[4]

Sanamahism

The Meitei people in ancient times, worshipped the deity along with a hymn, which reads as follows:-

O Immortal Lord Thongalel!

Thou dispenser of the destiny of the dead and the living!

Skillful thou art in administration,

Favouring many a living being

Sealing the fate of many a dead man

Presidest thou over funeral affairs; Chief of gods! Shut the door of death And open the door of the living!

(PuYa)

Legends

  • According to ancient Meitei chronicle "Poireiton Khunthok", a band of colonists led by Poireiton came from the land of death, whose king was Lord Thongaren.[5]
  • According to ancient Meitei chronicle "Nongban Pombi Luwaoba", there's a fight between Nongban Pombi Luwaoba and a messenger of Thongaren and subsequent reconciliation with Lord Thongaren himself.[6]
  • According to legends, the seven legendary brothers including Kabuiru Salamba were created by the divine creator God "Leinung Thongaren Sidaba" .[7]

See also

References