Korouhanba

This article is about the personification of the Sun. For the Maker of the Sun in Meitei mythology, see Nongshaba.

Korouhanba (Manipuri: ꯀꯣꯔꯧꯍꯟꯕ) is the God of the Sun, the Sky and the Heaven in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur.^[1][2][3] He is also known as Taohuireng and is one of the two sun brothers in the Numit Kappa epic legend. He is also called Ngantureng because of his ability to remove darkness. He is described as "Songbu Chiraitangba" — a physician who is bald headed.^[1]

Korouhanba
God of the sun, sky and heaven
Other names	Kolouhanpa, Numit, Taohuireng, Taodanba, Ngantureng
Affiliation	Sanamahism
Major cult center	Moidangpok
Abode	Heaven
Symbol	Sun
Day	Sunday
Texts	Numit Kappa, Soupon Lailemma Loutalon, Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya
Gender	Male
Region	Manipur
Ethnic group	Meitei
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Equivalents
Greek	Helios, Apollo
Hindu	Surya
Roman	Sol
Egyptian	Ra

Description

According to the Meitei tradition, Korouhanba has a strong connection with the human body, human soul and also the origin of life. The human body is a lang (lit. trap). Inside the trap, the thawai polpi (lit. soul bird) is kept. When a person dies, the soul bird leaves the body and enters a new one. The process is called langon (lit. changing trap). The Polpilang Puya text describes the sun as the origin of life.^[4][2][3]

Cults and pantheons

The Lai Haraoba festival is celebrated in the honor of God Korouhanba every year. The most significant shrine dedicated to Korouhanba is in Moidangpok town.^[5] The cults and pantheons dedicated to Korouhanba are mainly maintained by the Thokchom family.^[6] He has religious association with the Maring people.^[7][8]

See also

• Pisatao
• Taoroinai

References

1. Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
2. Kanglei Langba Pakhangba (in Manipuri). 1955. p. 4 – via archive.org.
3. Leishemlon Areeba (in Manipuri). 1983. p. 4 – via archive.org.
4. A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. August 1991. p. 111 – via archive.org.
5. Cheitharol Kumpapa (Royal Chronicle of Manipur 33 A.D – 1984 A.D) by Brahmacharimayum Kulachandra Sharma (in Manipuri). p. 447 – via archive.org.
6. Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
7. Ayyappappanikkar, Sahitya Akademi (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-8126007882. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
8. MEDIEVAL INDIAN LITERATURE AN ANTHOLOGY VOL. 3. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. 1959. p. 391 – via archive.org.