Thangching

Thangjing is a deity of pre-Hindu origin.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b3TwS0WRn5kC&q=Thangjing+God+presiding+pre+-+Hindu+deity&pg=PA17|title=Elections and political dynamics|last=Singh|first=A. Prafullokumar|date=2009|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-8324-279-0|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pth_7qgEN7IC&q=pre+-+Hindu+Thangjing&pg=PA28|title=Indian States At A Glance 2008-09: Performance, Facts And Figures - North-East And Sikkim|last=Laveesh|first=Bhandari|date=2009|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=978-81-317-2348-7|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YQ8EAAAQBAJ&q=ancient+temple+of+the+pre-Hindu+deity%2C+Lord+Thangjing+Koirel+Lai+%28sacred+groves+of+Moirang+Thangjng%29+is+situated+here.+In+the+month+of+May%2C+men+and+women%2C+dressed+in+colourful+traditional+costumes+sing+and+dance&pg=PA72|title=Ecotourism Development Ventures in Manipur: Green Skill Development and Livelihood Mission|last=Singh|first=Arambam Sanatomba|date=2021-06-18|publisher=Walnut Publication|isbn=978-93-91145-59-0|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GIs4zv17HHwC&dq=ancient+temples+pre+-+Hindu+deity+Thangjing+year+month+May+men+women+dressed+colourful+traditional+costumes+sing+dance+Moirang+Lai+Haraoba+ritual&pg=PA183|title=Mountains of India: Tourism, Adventure and Pilgrimage|last=Kohli|first=M. S.|date=2002|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-135-1|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xegDAAAAMBAJ&q=ancient+temple+pre-Hindu+deity%2C+Lord+Thangjing&pg=PT90|title=Pratiyogita Darpan|last=Darpan|first=Pratiyogita|date=2008|publisher=Pratiyogita Darpan|language=en}}

The Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba mentioned that Moirang was the amalgamation of different groups of people with different traditional beliefs. During the reign of King Fang Fang Ponglenhanpa (52 BC- 28 AD), all the diversities were merged into one with God Thangjing as the central figure.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgHgCwAAQBAJ&dq=thangjing&pg=PA82|title=Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness|last=Birajit|first=Soibam|date=2014-12-01|publisher=ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur)|language=en|pages=82}}

When the cult of Thangjing was merged into the Umang Laism, the folk deities associated with God Thangjing began to be identified with other Umang Lais. One example is that of goddess Ayang Leima Ahal and goddess Ayang Leima Atonpi. These two goddesses were originally associated with fertility and agriculture. This fact is evident in the ritualistic songs praising them. Later, these two female deities were identified as the consorts of God Thangjing.

When Thangjing was identified as an Umang Lai, the identity of the two goddesses was associated with that of goddess Panthoibi. Thus, the new identity of Goddess Ayang Leima Panthoibi was formed.

File:Khamba-and-thoibi.jpg and Moirang Thoibi performing a dance before the Thangjing Temple]]

Thangjing is described as the Lord of the tiger hunters. The Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba describes God Thangjing as the Divine Chief of Koireng people, the Progenitor of Kege Clan, the Protector of all the domestic as well as wild animals and the Lord of Mahui tribe.

The history of Moirang is always associated with the godly powers of Thangjing. Thangjing is a living God to the people of Ancient Moirang. The epic legend of the Khamba Thoibi is always related to God Thangjing. The ancient temple dedicated to Thangjing still stands on the banks of Loktak lake in the present day Moirang.

In the legendary epic Khamba Thoibi, Lord Thangjing always stands for righteousness and as a saviour of Khamba.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d8jlWVP4uKsC&q=Looming+large+in+the+background+is+Lord+Thangjing+who+stands+for+righteousness+.+He+serves+as+saviour+of+Khamba+as+Lord+Krishna+did+for+the+Pandavas&pg=PA35|title=Khwairakpam Chaoba Singh|last=Singh|first=Rajkumar Mani|date=2002|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1519-1|language=en}}

Thangjing sent Phouoibi to Kege Moirang (Keke Moilang) to prosper the human world.

When goddess Panthoibi was searching for her beloved Nongpok Ningthou, she asked God Thangjing and God Wangbren about the whereabouts of Nongpok Ningthou.

To Thangjing, she said:

O! Thangjing,

Supreme God of Moirang,

Loktak is your mirror,

My beloved Nongpok has gone like a wind,

Like a cattle looking for its herd,

I am looking for my beloved.

Please tell me

Does he come to your country?{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j7E2EAAAQBAJ&dq=thangjing&pg=PA77|title=The Sound of Pena in Manipur|last=Meitei|first=Mayanglambam Mangangsana|date=2021-06-06|publisher=Marjing Mayanglambam|isbn=978-93-5473-655-1|language=en}}

Thangching had been worshipped since ancient times. Still today, there is an ancient shrine at Moirang. An annual ritual festival known as Lai Haraoba is held early in summer in honor of the God.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gxqeDwAAQBAJ&q=Even+Thangjing+had+been+worshipped+through+the+ages.+Even+to-day+there+is+a+shrine+at+Moirang+where+an+elaborate+ritual+festival+known+as+Thangjing+Haraoba+is+held+annually+early+in+summer&pg=PA20|title=Glimpses of Manipuri Culture|last=Devi|first=Dr Yumlembam Gopi|date=16 June 2019 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-0-359-72919-7|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LXj2DwAAQBAJ&q=Moirang+is+also+the+abode+of+Thangjing%2C+the+most+venerated+deity.+Another+colourful+religious+dance%2C+Lai+Haraoba+is+celebrated+in+May+in+honour+of+Thangjing.+The+temple+HEART+OF+MANIPUR+of+Thangjing&pg=PA7|title=AKASHVANI: Vol. XXXII, No.49 ( 3 DECEMBER, 1967 )|last=Delhi|first=All India Radio (AIR), New|date=1967-12-03|publisher=All India Radio (AIR), New Delhi|language=en}}

During the annual Thangjing Lai Haraoba festival, traditional dances and sports are performed as rituals. The performers follow the ancient customs of wearing the traditional attires of the royal lords and ladies.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kMNiDwAAQBAJ&q=Every+year%2C+festivals+of+traditional+dances+and+sports+are+performed+as+rituals+during+Thangjing+Lai+Haraoba%2C+the+ancient+customs+of+the+royal+lords+and+ladies+wearing+traditional+attire+occupied+their+seats%2C+a+remnant+of+the+legend+of+Moirang+Leibak+Kingdom&pg=PT85|title=Apology|last=Singh|first=T. S. P.|date=2018-05-31|publisher=Partridge Publishing|isbn=978-1-5437-0188-3|language=en}} The festival is celebrated during the Meitei lunar month of Kalen. It continues for a week.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQWMc7_qj4kC&dq=Moirang+Lai+-+Haraoba+celebrated+honour+Lord+Thangjing+month+kalen+continues+week&pg=PA167|title=History, Religion and Culture of India|last=Gajrani|first=S.|date=2004|publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-8205-065-5|language=en}} Meiteis from all over Manipur visit the Thangjing Temple in Moirang.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=enE9kdIKqCQC&q=Meitheis+from+all+over+Manipur+visit+Moirang+because+of+all+important+Thangjing+temple&pg=PA75|title=Water of India: (quality and Quantity)|last=Ghosh|first=G. K.|date=2002|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-294-3|language=en}}

File:Euryale_ferox.jpg

The Thangjing plant (Euryale ferox) is an aquatic plant that bears edible seeds. Its seeds are called "foxnuts" and are one of the most popular food items in Meitei cuisine of Manipur.{{Cite web|url=https://medicinalplants.co.in/thangjing/|title=Thangjing|website=medicinalplants.co.in|date=May 2016 }}{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=education.Science_and_Technology.Thangjing_A_potential_aquatic_cash_crop_in_Manipur_By_N_Irabanta|title=Thangjing – A potential aquatic cash crop in Manipur|website=e-pao.net}}

The Thangching Peak (Thangjing Hill) is one of the four peaks, the others being the Koubru (after God Koubru), the Kounu (after Goddess Kounu) and the Loyalakpa (after God Loyalakpa). These peaks are the holy places of worship of the Meitei ethnicity. Their names are derived from the names of the deities whom the Meiteis worship at the peaks.

• Koupalu (Koubru) - north west protector
• Marjing - north east protector
• Wangbren - south east protector

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Category:Guardians of the directions (Meitei)

Category:Kings in Meitei mythology