Koupalu
| Koupalu | |
|---|---|
Founder of Meitei civilisation, guardian of the north-west direction. | |
| Member of Meitei gurdians of the directions, Umang Lais | |
| Affiliation | Sanamahism |
| Abode | Mount Koupalu |
| Weapon | Spear |
| Animals | White elephant |
| Mount | White elephant |
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnic group | Meitei |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Genealogy | |
| Consort | Kounu,Likla Leima,Koujeng Leima |
| Children | |
| Part ofa serieson |
| Meitei mythology |
|---|
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 Myths portal |
| Part ofa serieson |
| Sanamahism |
|---|
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Koupalu(Manipuri:ꯀꯧꯕꯔꯨ) is a primordial deity inSanamahism.He is the protector of theMeiteis,guardian of the North West directionand the founder of Meitei civilization. He lives on the summit ofMount Koubru.
Description
[edit]Koupalu (or Koubru) is a primordial deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion ofManipur.He is the omniscient and omnipotent guardian god of the Meiteis[2]and the guardian of the north-west direction.[3]According to legend, he is the progenitor of the civilization ofKangleipak,which he founded atMount Koubru,near modernImphalin north-western Manipur, where he resides.[4][5][6][7][8] He is said to be the controller of nine underground wells or tunnels which are associated with the birth and death of mankind. The tunnels are considered sacred and are, themselves, worshipped by Meiteis.[9]
Worship
[edit]The traditional hymns emphasise Koubru's role as the creator of Meitei civilisation. For example, this hymn of invocation:
Koubru of the North,
you are the overlord.
You are the first place of settlement.[4]
In the Lai Haraoba festival,[10]a ritualistic folk song dedicated to God Koubru is sung:
Koubru the checker of the North
The place of the first settlement of the Leima-Lai
You let the Charik bloom
You nurture the Nongthrei sprout
Your power is omnipotent
You are the one that illuminates the race.[11]
TheMeiteisoffer a beautiful puppy to Koubru to free themselves from suffering. TheLoipeople worship God Koubru on every occasion, including birth, marriage and death.[4][6]All the Loi villagers excludingAndroare the worshipers of God Koubru.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (11 May 2018).Northeast India: A Reader.Taylor & Francis.ISBN978-0-429-95320-0.
- ^abBareh, Hamlet (2001).Encyclopaedia of North-East India.Mittal Publications.ISBN978-81-7099-790-0.
- ^Brara, N. Vijaylakshmi (1998).Politics, Society, and Cosmology in India's North East.Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-564331-2.
- ^abcPrakash, Col Ved (2007).Encyclopaedia of North-East India.Atlantic Publishers & Dist.ISBN978-81-269-0706-9.
- ^Singh, N. Tombi (1972).Manipur: A Study.Available with Raj Stores.
- ^abDevi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002).The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai.Mittal Publications.ISBN978-81-7099-849-5.
- ^Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019).Glimpses of Manipuri Culture.Lulu.com.ISBN978-0-359-72919-7.
- ^Singh, Kumar Suresh; Horam, M.; Rizvi, S. H. M. (1998).Manipur.Anthropological Survey of India.ISBN978-81-7046-127-2.
- ^Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2 June 2014).The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India.Quills Ink Publishing. p. 12.ISBN978-93-84318-00-0.
- ^"Koupalu – Manipur News".11 September 2018.
- ^Bhattacharyya, Rituparna (29 July 2022).Northeast India Through the Ages: A Transdisciplinary Perspective on Prehistory, History, and Oral History.Taylor & Francis. p. 181.ISBN978-1-000-62390-1.Retrieved17 June2024.
External links
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