Forest Deities
The Umang Lai is the both the title of the forest deities and the name for the sacred groves where they reside. These groves vary in sizes but can be found throughout India and are typically protected from hunting and logging by the community, usually on religious grounds. In Manipur, a state with a predominant population of Meitei people, these groves typically grow teak, pine, oak, uningthou, leihao, bamboo, and cane.
The deities themselves are celebrated in the annual pleasing ceremony known as the Lai Haraoba ("making merry of the gods"), where followers partake in traditional dances and songs. There are more than 365 deities in the Umang Lai. Some include:
Lainingthou Nongshaba: A lion-like dragon who is worshiped as the greatest of the Umang Lai.
Ebudhou Khamlangba: The god of iron, mining, metallurgy, hunting, and war.
Ima Khunthok Hanbi: - Goddess of prosperity, fertility, fate, and civilization. She is worshiped for prosperity but is also related to destruction when considered displeased.
Ima Hiyangthang Lairembi: Goddess and personification of water and aquatic life. She is considered a divine manifestation of the supreme mother earth goddess.
Ima Langol Lairembi: Goddess and personification of death, she guards the entrance to the underworld.
Langol Ningthou
Thanga Ching Ningthou: God that rules the banks of Loktak Lake in India, and is the ruling deity of the Moraing dynasty.
Ipathakok
Ikop Ningthou
Laininthou Naothingkhong Pakhangba
Ima Tamphaton Petangaa
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Direction Deities
Meitei philosophy considers that there are eight cardinal points and that each has their own guardian. These guardians are:
Marjing: The god of horses, polo, sports and war. He is also the guardian of the northeastern cardinal point.
Thangjing: Guardian of the southwestern cardinal point.
Koubru: Guardian of the northwestern cardinal point.
Wangbren: God of water, thunderstorm, and rainfall, and guardian of the west.
Nongpok Ningthou: Guardian of the southeast.
Yuhaa: Guardian of the northwest.
Sanamahi: God of guidance and prosperity, and guardian of the southwest.
Soraren: God of the sky and guardian of the east.
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River Goddesses
There are numerous river goddesses in Kanglei mythology. The main rivers associated with these goddesses originate in the Indian state of Manipur. Some include:
Thongjarok Lairembi of Thongjaorok River
Iril Lairembi of Iril Rive
Imphal Turel Lairembi of Imphal River
Kongba Turel Lairembi of Kongba River
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Lake Goddesses
In Kanglei mythology, the spirits of lake goddesses are considered guardians and protectors of the periphery region of the lakes they are from. Some examples are:
Loktak Lairembi of Loktak Lake
Pumlenpat Lairembi of Pumlenpat Lake
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Market Goddesses
Market goddesses each pertain to a particular market area The spirit of each goddess, much like that of each lake goddess, is seen as the protector and guardian of that market region. Some of these goddesses include:
Pishum Keithel Lairembi of Pishumthong Market Region
Singjamei Keithel Lairembi of Singjamei Market Region
Kongba Keithel Lairembi of Kongba Market Region
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