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Konthong Lairembi

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Meetei Mayek
This article contains the Meitei alphabet. Without proper rendering support, you may see errors in display.
Not to be confused with Konthoujam Lairembi.
This article is about ancient Meitei goddess of doorways, entrances and gateways. For the Meitei gatekeeper goddess, see Thongak Lairembi.
Konthong Lairembi
Goddess of doorways, entrances and gateways
Member of Meitei goddesses[1]
Other namesKondong Lairembi, Kondong Lairemma, Kondong Leima, Konthong Lairemma, Konthong Leima
AffiliationMeitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult centerMoreh[2][3]
Abodegateways, entrances, doorways
AdherentsMeitei people[4][5][6] and Manipur Tamil community[7]
TextsPuyas[8]
Genderfemale
RegionKangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur')
Ethnic groupMeitei people[9][10][11]
FestivalsLai Haraoba[12][13]

Konthong Lairembi,[a] also known as Kondong Lairembi[b] or Kondong Lairemma[c] or Konthong Lairemma,[d] is a goddess in Meitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur').[14][15][16] One of her prominent cult centers is located in Moreh town,[17] where the sacred Lai Haraoba festival is celebrated in her honour.[18][19] Notably, she is worshipped by Meitei people[20][21][22] as well as Manipuri Tamil people.[23]

Etymology

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In Meitei language, "Konthong" means "gate", or "enclosure-door".[24] "Lairembi" and "Lairemma" are the Meitei terms for "goddess".[25][26] "Leima" means "queen" in Meitei.[27]

Communal harmony

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In January 2018, the Pongal festival was observed in Moreh, a town on the India-Myanmar border, reflecting communal harmony between the Meiteis and Manipuri Tamils, as well as between followers of Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion) and Hinduism. According to Tamil Sangam Moreh, an organization representing Tamil traders in the area, the three-day festival included a communal feast held at the Kondong Lairembi temple, a Meitei religious site located near Moreh.[23]

Temple destruction & renovation

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The Ima Kondong Lairembi shrine, a site of religious significance to the Meitei community, was vandalized in May, 2023, amid ethnic conflict.[28] The shrine in Moreh was reportedly destroyed by fire on May 3 and May 8, 2023, in the presence of central security forces. The incident occurred during a period of heightened ethnic conflict in the region.[29]

In January, 2024, restoration work of the temple in Moreh was commenced under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General (Range-II) Jogeshchandra Haobijam. The renovation was being carried out by personnel from the Manipur Police, Special Commandos, Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), and Manipur Rifles (MR). The supervising officer was also responsible for overseeing border security operations and monitoring the movement of undocumented migrants from Myanmar into the region.[28]

Annual rituals

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In May 2025, the Kondong Lairembi Thougal-Lup (IKLT), Moreh hosted the Ima Kondong Lairembi Enat Thouni (Kum Chanba) event at the Kodompokpi Relief Camp in Wangjing, Manipur.[30][31]

In May 2024, the Ima Kondong Lairembi Thougal Lup, Moreh, announced that the annual Ima Kondong Lairembi Haraoba rituals would not be conducted due to the reported destruction of the temple by Kuki armed groups during the ongoing conflict. However, the Kum Chanba ritual associated with Ima Kondong Lairembi was scheduled to take place on May 10 at the Manipur Dance College, Palace Compound in Imphal. They invited individuals from Moreh and other parts of Manipur who have traditionally participated in the Lai Haraoba to attend the ceremony.[32][33]

In April 2023, the Ima Kondong Lairembi Thougal Lup, Moreh, announced that the traditional Lai Haraoba ritual of Ima Kondong Lairembi would commence on April 23 and conclude on May 2. The Mukna Yendamnaba event, a component of the festival, was scheduled for April 29.[34][35] The Lai Haraoba festival, one of the largest religious festivals of the Meiteis, was celebrated. Women arranged flowers and fruits to offer to Ima Kondong Lairembi. Meanwhile, men prepared for "Mukna Yendamba," a traditional wrestling competition held on the last day of the festival.[36]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ written in native Meitei script as "ꯀꯣꯟꯊꯣꯡ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ".
  2. ^ written in native Meitei script as "ꯀꯣꯟꯗꯣꯡ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ".
  3. ^ written in native Meitei script as "ꯀꯣꯟꯗꯣꯡ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯃ".
  4. ^ written in native Meitei script as "ꯀꯣꯟꯊꯣꯡ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯃꯥ".
  1. ^ KanglaOnline (2017-08-25). "Translation of our holy book "Puya" in English : A visionary approach – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 2023-10-08. ... and tags of "Ema" such as Ema Panthoiba, Ema Kondong Lairembi, Ema Khunthoi Haanbi, Ema Ereima etc...
  2. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences : 24th apr23". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  3. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  4. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences : 24th apr23". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  5. ^ "Tapta to perform at sacred sites". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  6. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  7. ^ Laithangbam, Iboyaima (2018-01-14). "Pongal celebrated in India-Myanmar border town of Moreh". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  8. ^ KanglaOnline (2017-08-25). "Translation of our holy book "Puya" in English : A visionary approach – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 2023-10-08. ... and tags of "Ema" such as Ema Panthoiba, Ema Kondong Lairembi, Ema Khunthoi Haanbi, Ema Ereima etc...
  9. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences : 24th apr23". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  10. ^ "Tapta to perform at sacred sites". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  11. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  12. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences : 24th apr23". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  13. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  14. ^ KanglaOnline (2017-08-25). "Translation of our holy book "Puya" in English : A visionary approach – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 2023-10-08. ... and tags of "Ema" such as Ema Panthoiba, Ema Kondong Lairembi, Ema Khunthoi Haanbi, Ema Ereima etc...
  15. ^ "ইমা কোন্দোং লাইরেম্বী খুভম" (PDF).
  16. ^ "চহী অসিগী ওইনা ইমা কোন্দোং লাইরেম্বী হরাওবা লাক্লিবা তাং ২৯/ ..." (PDF).
  17. ^ Moyon, Rev Dr Koningthung Ngoru (2023-11-16). The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur): Iruwng (King) Kuurkam Ngoruw Moyon & The People of Manipur. Shashwat Publication. p. 85. ISBN 978-81-19517-31-2.
  18. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences : 24th apr23". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  19. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  20. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences : 24th apr23". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  21. ^ "Tapta to perform at sacred sites". Imphal Free Press. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  22. ^ "Lai Haraoba commences". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  23. ^ a b Laithangbam, Iboyaima (2018-01-14). "Pongal celebrated in India-Myanmar border town of Moreh". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  24. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (definition of "Konthong")". dsal.uchicago.edu (in English and Manipuri). University of Chicago. p. 43. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  25. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (definition of "Lairembi")". dsal.uchicago.edu (in English and Manipuri). University of Chicago. p. 169. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  26. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (definition of "Lairemma")". dsal.uchicago.edu (in English and Manipuri). University of Chicago. p. 169. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  27. ^ Sharma, H. Surmangol (2006). "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (definition of "Leima")". dsal.uchicago.edu (in English and Manipuri). University of Chicago. p. 178. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  28. ^ a b "Renovation work of Kondong Lairembi starts : 08th jan24 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  29. ^ "Lup hails Shah's stand on religious sites : 10th mar25 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  30. ^ "Ima Kondong Lairembi Enat Thouni Thouram slated for May 12 : 11th may25 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  31. ^ "Ima Kondong Lairembi ritual on May 12 : 11th may25 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  32. ^ "Ima Kondong Lairembi Kum Chanba rituals to be shifted to Manipur Dance College". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  33. ^ "Ima Kondong Lairembi rituals at MDC : 09th may24 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  34. ^ "Ima Kondong Lairembi Lai Haraoba to begin". www.thesangaiexpress.com. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  35. ^ "Ima Kondong Lairembi Haraoba from April 23 : 05th apr23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  36. ^ "Narrating a tale of how Moreh was ethnically cleansed of Meiteis : 16th oct23 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
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