Pakhangba

Pakhangba (Meitei:ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ) is the supreme God of the Meitei tradition as well as Manipuri mythology that is used as a heraldic emblem in Manipur. It was present in most emblems of the Princely state of Manipur and it originated in Paphal (ꯄꯥꯐꯜ), an ancient deity of the traditional beliefs preceding Hinduism in the region. This creature was said to inhabit sacred ponds and groves, as well as mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and caves. Among the Meeteis, the ancestor of one of the clans manifested himself as the Pakhangba.[1]

Ebudhou Pakhangba ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ
Great Dragon God of the Universe, Protector of the Earth
AffiliationSanamahism
AbodePuruk Shoubi
MantraHum! Hum! Hum! Um He Khoyum Lainingthou Pakhangba!
WeaponChirong (Horns)
TextsPakhangba Nongkaba, Pakhangba Nauyom, Pakhangba Phambalon, Pakhangba Laikan
FestivalsYaoshang, Lai Haraoba, etc.
Personal information
ParentsAtingkhok Maru Sidaba and Leimarel Sidabi
SiblingsLainingthou Sanamahi
ChildrenMangang, Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Salai Leishangthem, Kha Nganpa and Moilang.

Pakhangba
Red royal flag of the Manipur Kingdom with Pakhangba Paphal.
GroupingManipuri mythology
Sub groupingDragon
CountryIndia
RegionManipur

There was also an important king named after this mythical man who ruled from 1665 to 1696. The title Pakhangba was also used by other royals in Manipuri history.[2]

In heraldry

A Pakhangba as a heraldic dragon was present in all the former royal flags and coats of arms of Manipur. The kingdom of Manipur had a set of two flags, a white one and a red one. All featured the Pakhangba dragon in the centre, although not as prominently in the latter flags.[3]

Description
Main article: Nongshaba

The Pakhangba is the supreme God. He is a man who can change his body to any form, like animals, and others as he is a powerful God. In certain sculptures, known as Kangla-Sa, at the citadel of the Kangla Palace in Imphal, there is a related type of creature represented with a short body. The sculptures are large and were built of brick, standing at each side of the northern gate. They have a similar head and four sturdy legs, but their body is shorter and bears more of a resemblance to a lion.

In 1891, during the Anglo-Manipur War five British officers were executed by Manipuri soldiers below these two Kangla-Sa. The act was a kind of magic ritual in which the blood of the white officers was seen as feeding there in order to weaken British power. For this act Major Maxwell, the Political Agent that was appointed after the war, had destroyed the two kangla-sa with gunpowder following the conquest of Manipur.[4]

  • Poubi Lai Paphal: a mythical form of Pakhangba
  • Lit Pakhangba statue in Imphal
  • Two standing Kangla-Sa at the northern gate of Kangla Fort. These massive statues have been rebuilt after they were destroyed at the end of the Anglo-Manipur war of 1891.

See also

References
  1. Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Volume 11
  2. A Brief history of the Meeteis of Manipur - The Manipur Page
  3. FOTW - Manipur, Indian Princely State
  4. KanglaSha : The story behind the Legend
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