Pakhangba

Not to be confused with Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.

God Pakhangba depicted as a serpentine dragon in the flag of Manipur

Pakhangba (Meitei: ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ) or Pakhangpa (Old Manipuri: ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯄ) is a primordial God in Meitei mythology, folklore and religion (Sanamahism). He is often depicted in the form of a dragon, a snake or a serpentine dragon. He is the youngest son of Atingkok and the only biological son of goddess Leimarel Sidabi, the supreme mother earth.

The Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok Puya (Old Manipuri: ꯋꯥꯀꯣꯛꯂꯣꯟ ꯍꯤꯂꯦꯜ ꯊꯤꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯥꯂꯥꯢ ꯑꯃꯥꯢꯂꯣꯟ ꯄꯨꯀꯣꯛ ꯄꯨꯌꯥ; Meitei: ꯋꯥꯀꯣꯛꯂꯣꯟ ꯍꯤꯂꯦꯜ ꯊꯤꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯑꯃꯥꯏꯂꯣꯟ ꯄꯨꯀꯣꯛ ꯄꯨꯌꯥ), one of the oldest known Meitei scriptures, mentions the God. It was written in 1398 BC. So, it is clearly evident that his pantheon existed right from the 15th century BC (3500 years ago).

Many rulers of different ruling dynasties in Ancient Manipur, Medieval Manipur and Modern Manipur claimed themselves to be the descendants of the so called deity. There were many chiefs, kings and emperors of different chiefdoms, kingdoms and empires of different eras, who used the term "Pakhangba" as their own names or as a part of their names. One of the most popular example is King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (33 AD-154 AD), the first ruler of the Ningthouja dynasty to sit on the throne of the Kangla in Ancient Manipur (Antique Kangleipak).

Other websites

• http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.Evolution_of_Meitei_State_Nongda_Lairen_Pakhangba_Part_1_By_Priyadarshni_Gangte
• http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.Evolution_of_Meitei_State_Nongda_Lairen_Pakhangba_Part_2_By_Priyadarshni_Gangte