Shija Laioibi

Not to be confused with Shija Phongdalokpi.

Shija Laioibi (Meitei: ꯁꯤꯖ ꯂꯥꯢꯑꯣꯢꯕꯤ; Bengali: শিজ লাইওইবী) or Sija Laioibi (Meitei: ꯁꯤꯖ ꯂꯥꯏꯑꯣꯏꯕꯤ; Bengali: সিজ লাইওইবী)(literally, "a princess who became a goddess" or "a princess who looks after a God"), also known as Shija Lailotpi (Meitei: ꯁꯤꯖ ꯂꯥꯢꯂꯣꯠꯄꯤ; Bengali: শিজ লাইলোৎপী) or Bimbabati (Meitei: ꯕꯤꯝꯕꯥꯕꯇꯤ; Bengali: বিম্বাবটী), is the princess of Ningthouja dynasty of Medieval Manipur kingdom. She is the daughter of King Rajarshi Bhagyachandra of Medieval Manipur kingdom. She is said to be the dancer of the Manipuri Rasa Leela dance in the premise of the Shri Govindaji Temple, notably by wearing the potloi (ornamental cylindrical skirt), for the first time in the history of Manipur and Manipuri ethnicity.

Shija Laioibi ꯁꯤꯖ ꯂꯥꯢꯑꯣꯢꯕꯤ
Shija Lailotpi ꯁꯤꯖ ꯂꯥꯢꯂꯣꯠꯄꯤ
Born	Bimbabati (ꯕꯤꯝꯕꯥꯕꯇꯤ) Medieval Manipur kingdom
Spouse	Lord Krishna (in deep devotional and spiritual sense)
House	Ningthouja dynasty
Father	Bhagyachandra Jai Singh
Religion	Manipuri Vaishnavism
Occupation	Princess of Manipur Kingdom

She remained to be a spinster for her whole life, dedicating herself as the spiritual consort (or "female devotee") of Hindu God Krishna, for which she earned the title "Mirabai of the Hindu Manipuris". She is one of the popular historical figures in the Manipuri Vaishnavism, a branch of Eastern Vaishnava section of Hinduism. Later, she ended her life in Nabadwip, the birthplace of Lord Chaitanya, in mainland India. She is a cousin sister of Shija Phongdalokpi (later known as Kuranganayani after marrying to the King of Ahom), the chief Queen of King Swargadeo Rajeshwar Singha (Suremphaa) of Ahom kingdom and the daughter of King Gaurishyam of Manipur Kingdom. Both are popular historical figures, so, their are often confusing.

The tradition of Rasa Lila in Manipur Kingdom is attributed to Ching-Thang Khomba. The first Manipur Maha Rasleela was performed in 1777. It was princess Shija Lailoibi, who first took the role of goddess Radha in the Manipuri dance. Under the influence of Bengali missionaries, he also started the tradition of Sankirtan in Manipur.

Her identity is popularly associated with potloi, the Meitei Manipuri traditional cylindrical skirt made up of thick fabric that is ornamented with sequins and mirrors. It is usually used by the Meitei Hindu brides in Meitei wedding and the dancers in the Manipuri Rasa Leela dance. Notably, it is not used by the brides in traditional (Sanamahist) Meitei wedding.

Interestingly, Radha and Chandrabali wear green potloi and red blouse whereas the Gopis wear red potloi and green blouse in the Manipuri dance.