Umang Lai

Sacred groves in Manipur

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Umang Lai (Meitei: /ū-mang lāi/) are deities in Sanamahism who are the local guardians of a neighborhood or particular area.^[1] Umang Lais are worshipped only two times in a year.^[2] They are the group of sacred groves preserved for the local forest deities (with the same title), worshipped by the Meitei people, the predominant ethnic groups, since ancient times in the Himalayan state of Manipur. The groves and the deities are worshipped and their pleasing ceremony is always celebrated every year through a music and dance festival called Lai Haraoba. There are 365 Umang Lais in the state, out of which 166 are identified in the valley regions of the state.^[3]^[4]^[5]

Lists

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (January 2023)

Umang Lai sacred groves are widely distributed in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts of Manipur. The following is the list:

Location of Sacred groves	Deities worshipped
Akampat,	Wangbren
Wangkhei Loumangbi	Panthoibi
Wangoi	Wangbren
Bishempur Joypur Khunou	Yangoi Ningthou
Toubul Mayai Leikai	Yangoi Ningthou

Present scenario

Presently, these religiously preserved sacred groves are in the situation of being endangered, due to the lack of proper attention and care. These Umang Lais have become the victims of the encroachment and exploitation.^[6]

Notes

All the Umang Lais are affiliated to Sanamahism.
But, Lainingthou Sanamahi, Leimarel Sidabi, and Imoinu Ahongbi are not included in the Umang Lai category.

References

^ Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2.
^ "Umanglai Haraoba Traditional Institution for Local Self Governance in Manipur By Thounaojam Ruhichand". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
^ Khumbongmayum, Ashalata Devi; Khan, M. L.; Tripathi, R. S. (2004). "Sacred groves of Manipur – ideal centres for biodiversity conservation". Current Science. 87 (4): 430–433. JSTOR 24109169.
^ Devi Khumbongmayum, Ashalata; Khan, M. L.; Tripathi, R. S. (2005). "Sacred groves of Manipur, northeast India:biodiversity value, status and strategies for their conservation". Biodiversity and Conservation. 14 (7): 1541–1582. doi:10.1007/s10531-004-0530-5. S2CID 10336784.
^ "Sacred Groves in Manipur".
^ "Sacred groves Manipur need urgent attention".