Sanamahism
Sanamahism (), also known as Meitei religion, Manipuri religion or Kanglei religion, is an animistic, ancestor-worshipping, shaman-led Indian religious tradition found among the Meitei people and the Pangal people in Manipur state in India. The term is derived from Sanamahi (), the most important Meitei deity.

Broadly, Sanamahism worships elements of nature, such as fire, water and mountains, with notable temple and worship rituals at the Loi village of Andro, east of Imphal, according to Bertil Lintner. The details of the identity of Lainingthou Sanamahi – sun, fire, or an aspect of Sidaba Mapu – along with other aspects of the Sanamahism beliefs, practices and the history, are unclear and disputed. Since the conversion of Meiteis to Hinduism by the then-king in the 18th century and the two Muslim migrations of 1606 and 1724, Sanamahism is practised alongside Hinduism and Islam in most Meitei and Pangal homes in Imphal, the capital of Kangleipak. However, many Meiteis outside Imphal did not convert, and practice only Sanamahism. In every Meitei and Pangal home, including those who are also Hindus and Muslims, there are two sacred spaces where Sanamahi deities are worshipped, viz., a corner in the north-west called Sanamahi Kachin dedicated to Lainingthou and Leimarel Sidabi and next to the fireplace or hearth (Phung-ga) in the kitchen for the Goddess Emoinu, the goddess of well-being and prosperity. This is seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism. According to Kanglei mythology, life began from water in the form of "Namu Mitam Nga" commonly known as the "Ngamu" fish.

Origin
The first mentions are found in the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Court Chronicles of the kings of Kangleipak (old name of Manipur), starting from the king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, who ruled for more than a century, from 33–154 CE.

Description 
Sanamahism is a folk religion. It competes with and co-exists with either Vaishnavism – a tradition of Hinduism – among the Meitei people, Sunni Islam – among the Pangal people or Christianity –  among Meitei Christians. Opponents and rebel groups have sought to revive Sanamahism and related practices to emphasize the Manipuri heritage, along with seeking a ban on Bengali script and replacing it with the old Meitei script which was forcefully banned during the reign of King Garibniwaz.

Etymology 
Sanamahism is also known as Sanamahi Laining, for it originated from the ancient kingdom of Kangleipak.

Revival 
Sanamahism has revived after a long  dormant period of four centuries, and is currently practiced by 8% of Manipur'population according to the 2011 census.

Practices 
Many Sanamahi practices are focused on food offerings to deities, combined with hymns, as well as oracular ritual in which priestesses become possessed by a god or goddess. An offering formula to call up the gods, uttered by a priestess over a body of water during the Lai Haraoba festival, goes:

Some esoteric practices are also a part of Sanamahism, such as the use of mantras for various purposes. The mystical text Sanamahi Naiyom provides several formulas, such as a mantra that is believed to stop rain: HUNG KRUNG HUNG-KRUNG TA (8x) AH (2x) CHAT HUK (2x) HING HING HUK SU SA HING HING LIK SAL LIT HING MA PAN.

Religious festivals

 Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba
 Lai Haraoba
 Mera Hou Chongba
 Mera Chaorel Houba
 Kwaak Taanba
 Yaoshang
 Panthoibi Iratpa
 Imoinu Iratpa
 Sajibu Cheiraoba
 Heikru Hidongba

Deities

Main deities 
There are five main deities in Sanamahism:
 Asheeba: Protector and guardian god of mankind. 
 Atingaa Koilou Sitapa: Creator of the Universe. 
 Apanba: Ruler of the universe and destroyer of evil.
 Leimarel Sidabi: Earth Goddess. 
 Imoinu Ahongbi: An incarnation of Leimarel, and a goddess of wealth and prosperity.

Related deities 
Besides the five main deities, there are innumerable gods and goddesses, playing significant roles in the ancient pantheon, as well as in  mythology. Examples include Panthoibi, Lainingthou Nongpok Ningthou, Lainingthou Koubru, Ibudhou Marjing, Thongalel, Wangbren, Eputhou Thangjing, Kounu, Nongshaba, Nongthang Leima, and Irai Leima.

Umang Lai 

Besides, there are other deities associated with sacred groves called Umang Lai including Konthoujam Lairembi gi Khubam, Ima Tamphaton Petangaa and Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba groves.

Ancestral deities 

There are also deities for each clan (Yek Salai) and family (Yumnak), called Apokpa.

Divine figures
Though Sanarembi is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in Lai Haraoba festival.

See also
 Lai Haraoba
 Lainingthou Sanamahi
 Lists of creatures in Meitei folklore
 Lists of deities in Sanamahism
 Meitei mythology
 Puya (Meitei texts)
 Sanamahi creation myth
 Umang Lai
 Yempak

References

Notes

Sources

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
Indian religions
Meitei culture
Religion in Manipur
Religion in South Asia
Asian ethnic religion
Animism
Shamanism