17/09/2026
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𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐢 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡, 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮 𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐛𝐚.
(𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐏𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐨 ❌️)
📝👇
According to ancient Meitei religious tradition and many text including the Khamlangba Thenlon Puya, an ancient text associated with Lainingthou Khamlangba, Lainingthou Khamlangba is revered as the deity of blacksmithing, metalworking, craftsmanship and the making of tools. Within the Sanamahi tradition, he is regarded as an important manifestation of Konchil Tingthokpa (Tukthaba), described in the tradition as the second son of Atingkok Kuru Sidaba (Maru Sidaba), the creator of the universe.
Traditional accounts state that Khamlangba was initially situated at Uripok, together with his consort, Goddess Lairemma Huimu Leima, and their son, Lainingthou Amudon. He later settled at Kakching, where tradition associates him with the transmission of knowledge concerning tools, metalworking and craftsmanship to the people.
Lainingthou Khamlangba is also counted among the important Umang Lais, the deities traditionally worshipped through Lai Haraoba. In the traditional worldview, Umang Lais are associated with various supernatural and celestial beings, including Saroi Ngaroi. Therefore, the worship of an Umang Lai has its own religious and cultural context within the Meitei tradition.
✨️✅️This raises an important question:
religious tradition?
Similarly, questions have been raised about the practice of worshipping Panthoibi during Durga Puja. If these deities have their own traditional festivals, rituals and sacred calendar within the indigenous Meitei religious system, should their worship not be understood and observed within that traditional framework?
The Meitei tradition already has its own Umang Lai Haraoba festivals and ritual calendar. Preserving these traditions does not necessarily require rejecting the traditions of others. Rather, it means recognising the distinct historical and religious identity of the Meitei tradition and ensuring that its deities are understood within their own cultural context.
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There is also a historical question surrounding the identification of Pisatao with the deity of blacksmithing and craftsmanship. According to the historical claim presented here, the name Pisatao appears in some later textual traditions dating to the 17th–18th centuries, rather than in the earliest layer of Meitei religious tradition. Some accounts further associate changes in religious texts and practices with the reign of Maharaj Jai Singh (Bhagyachandra/Chingthangkhomba).
It has also been claimed that the worship of Pisatao continued until the reign of Maharaj Chandrakirti. These claims, however, should be examined carefully against surviving manuscripts, textual chronology and independent historical evidence before being treated as established historical facts.
The central issue, therefore, is not about opposing another religion. It is about preserving the traditional identity, terminology, rituals and sacred calendar of the Meitei religious heritage.
🙏✅️Our deities have their own stories.
Our traditions have their own rituals.
Our Umang Lais have their own Lai Haraoba.
And our heritage deserves to be understood on its own terms.
