Loyalakpa

Loyalakpa (Meitei: ꯂꯣꯌꯥꯂꯥꯛꯄ), also spelt as Loyarakpa (Meitei: ꯂꯣꯌꯥꯔꯥꯛꯄ), is a God in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). He is best known for wrestling (Meitei: Mukna Kangjei) with Khoriphaba during the Lai Haraoba festival.[1] He is the consort of goddess Thoudu Nungthel Leima.[2] He is one of the ten kingly gods (or ten divine kings) in Meitei religion.[3][4]

Loyalakpa
Guardian God of the Western Direction
Member of Maikei Ngaakpa Lais and Lam Lais
"Loyalakpa", the name of the God, written in archaic Meetei Mayek abugida
Other namesLoyarakpa, Loiyalakpa, Loiyarakpa, Tollomkhomba or Tollongkhomba
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult centerPhayeng and Sekmai
AnimalsMeitei horse (Manipuri pony)
MountMeitei horse (Manipuri pony)
GenderMale
RegionAncient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsChakpa Haraoba (one of the 4 types of Lai Haraoba)
Personal information
Parents
  • Koupalu (Koubru) or Marjing (according to different legends) (father)
  • Kounu or Humu Leima (according to different legends) (mother)
ConsortThoudu Nungthel Leima
Term
EnglishLoyalakpa
Ancient Meiteiꯂꯣꯌꯥꯂꯥꯛꯄ
(lo-yaa-laak-pa)
Modern Meiteiꯂꯣꯌꯥꯔꯥꯛꯄ
(lo-yaa-raak-pa)
Assameseলোয়ালাক্পা / লোয়ালাকপা
(lo-yaa-laak-pa)
Bengaliলোয়ালাক্পা / লোয়ালাকপা
(lo-yaa-laak-pa)
Hindiलोयालाक्पा / लोयालाकपा
(lo-yaa-laak-pa)
Sanamahism
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A tableau depicting Meitei divine mythical beings, like Hiyang Hiren and Pakhangba.
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Description

Among the deities, God Loyalakpa and God Khoriphaba possess the epithets of being the best wrestlers.[5] The two powerful gods wrestled during the Lai Haraoba festival.[1]

Mythology

When the divine polo match was played among the gods, Loyalakpa participated in the southern team. His team was led by God Thangjing while his opponent's team (northern team) was led by God Marjing.[6]

Cults and shrines

The main deities assembled in the Lai Haraoba of the Phayeng are almost similar to those of the Sekmai. God Loyalakpa is one of these deities.[7] God Loyalakpa and other deities including Panam Ningthou, Pureiromba and Koubru hold the special position of the Chakpa Haraoba (one of the 4 types of Lai Haraoba festival).[8]

Namesakes

Mountain peak

Loyalakpa is one of the four sacred mountain peaks of the Meitei people. The others are Koubru, Kounu and Thangjing. These names of the peaks are named after the respective presiding gods.[9]

References
  1. Traditional Customs and Rituals of Northeast India: Arunachal Pradesh, meghalaya, Manipur, Assam. Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture. 2002.
  2. Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  3. The Meitheis by Thomas Callan Hodson. D. Nutt. 1908. p. 154 – via archive.org.
  4. Hodson, Thomas Callan (1908). The Meitheis. D. Nutt. ISBN 978-81-7536-149-2.
  5. Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
  6. Roy, L. Somi (2021-06-21). And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-91149-65-9.
  7. Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  8. Kumar, Niraj; Driem, George van; Stobdan, Phunchok (2020-11-18). Himalayan Bridge. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-21551-9.
  9. Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2014-06-02). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.

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