Marjing
Manipuri · deity · mythic prehistoric · deity
Marjing (Malching) is the Meitei god of horses, polo (sagol kangjei), sport and war, and one of the four cardinal Umang Lai of Sanamahism — the guardian of the north-eastern direction (the Maikei Ngakpa Lai). He dwells on the Heingang (Marjing) hill north-east of Imphal with his winged steed Samadon Ayangba, and tradition credits him with introducing polo. With Koubru, Thangjing and Wangbren he forms the four-fold guardianship of the cardinal directions invoked for protection in Meitei ritual.
Domains
- north eastern direction
- horses and war
- sport and games
Powers
- Invent the game of polo (sagol kangjei)
- Enter and reside within the human body as one of its souls
Relations
Sources
- S. N. Arambam Parratt, The Religion of Manipur (1980)
- Meitei tradition (Sanamahism): the Maikei Ngakpa Lai