Sanamahism

SANAMAHISM
Total population	1,648,000
Regions with significant populations	Manipur/ Kangleipak
Written Religious Book	Puya / in Meetei Mayek (Manipuri)
Place of Worship	Laishang/ Umanglai

Definition of Sanamahism

Sanamahi religion is one of the oldest religions of South-East Asia. It originated in Manipur and mainly worshipped by the Meeteis/Meiteis, Kabui and Zeliangrong and few other communities who inhabit in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, U.P, Myanmar, Bangladesh, UK, USA and Canada etc. The study of Sanamahi religion may be termed as "SANAMAHISM" and the followers as SANAMAHISTS" it simply the cult of Sanamahi the creator of Meetei trinity, the Sidaba Mapu - the immortal one - the immortal trinity god which is in extensive use in ancient literature.

Present Day and Sanamahism

From the present population trend, the region has sharply increased of Sanamahism from the previous census. The revivalism or revolutionary cult Sanamahism is recognized by the census record of the Govt. of India due to the praise worthy efforts of Late.R.K. Birendro Singh, I.A.S. Attitude of Indigenous people of Manipur to the religion and concept of God is not possible without the proper understanding of Sanamahi religion. Pakhangba Laining was also currently employed to signify revivalism.

Form of Worship

In assimilate features such as the worship of forces of nature like fire, water, mountain etc. ancestor worship (Apokpa), Lamlai, Yumlai, Ningthoulai and Umanglai. Religion of antiquity-In its pure native form it is as all as the History of Meetei/Meitei people. There is reference to the worship of Sanamahi by King Kangba in the Hayi age. Manipur is a land of deities with Atiya Shidaba as the Supreme God. Atiya Shidaba, Apanba and Asheeba are the three manifestations or incarnations of God as the creator, the preserver and the annihilator of this universe respectively. Pakhangba, Sannamahi and Nongpok Ningthou are the incarnations who play the role of the male deities of the Meiteis whereas Leimarel Shidabi and Panthoibi , the role of female deities. Besides these, three hundred and sixty four deities with their consorts are the most important deities worshipped by the Meiteis.

Festival of Sanamahism

Lai Haraoba is the festival of the recollection of the creation stories played by all deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of the plants and animals through the will of Atiya Shidaba. Sannamahi and Leimarel are worshiped in every house of the Meiteis and other mentioned Indigenous community of Manipur and nearby states including Mayanmar. The other gods and the three hundred and sixty four deities are worshipped in the "Umanglai Laisangs" (temple of gods in the reserved woods with spacious grounds) in the villages.

Hinduism influence and Sanamahism

Sanamahi religion was threatened by Mass baptism to Hinduism Known as Nongkhang Iruppa, during the reign of Pamheiba in 1700s was debaptized on Wednesday, the 16th February 1974. After then On April 23 1992, the Maharaja of Manipur, Okendrajit Sana declared that " I open the Lubak Tabu and abandon Hinduism as state religion and recognition is hereby withdrawn by the Royal Customary Law of the Country, instead the Royal Customary Law revives the Lainingthouism as the state religion and do herby give recognition as state religion".Moreover the day the Puyas (Holy books Written in Meetei script) were burned on that fateful day-night during the reign of king Pamheiba is observed and remembered every year to this day as Puya Mei Thaba Ningshing Thouram since 1978. Many conflicts came to exist in Manipur after the Hinduism enter into the Valley through the the hand or dicision of Raja Pamheiba since 1700s. Meitei People never give up thier Sanamahi worship even though they additionally worship Hinduism since the Hinduism came to the Sate Manipur.