Thangjing
Manipuri · deity · mythic prehistoric · Recorded classification
Thangjing (Thangching; Ibudhou Thangjing) is the ancient ruling deity of Moirang and one of the four cardinal Umang Lai of Meitei Sanamahism, the guardian of the south-western direction (the Maikei Ngakpa Lai). A pre-Hindu primordial god, he reigns on the banks of Loktak lake and protects the southern Imphal valley; his Moirang Lai Haraoba is one of the great festivals of the tradition. Worship of the Umang Lai (forest/sylvan deities) such as Thangjing is the substance of the Lai Haraoba ('pleasing of the gods').
Domains
- south western direction
Powers
- Guard the south-western quarter and the Moirang realm
Relations
- companion: KoubruCo-guardian of the directions (Maikei Ngakpa Lai) with Koubru (NW).Meitei tradition: the four Maikei Ngakpa Lai (Thangjing, Koubru, Marjing, Wangbren) as the guardians of the directions (secondary)
- companion: MarjingCo-guardian of the directions with Marjing (NE).Meitei tradition: the four Maikei Ngakpa Lai as the guardians of the directions (secondary)
- companion: WangbrenCo-guardian of the directions with Wangbren (SE).Meitei tradition: the four Maikei Ngakpa Lai as the guardians of the directions (secondary)
Sources
- existence: T. C. Hodson, The Meitheis (1908) (secondary); S. N. Arambam Parratt, The Religion of Manipur (1980) (secondary)