Yangtoupa and Yangtoupi
Yangtoupa (Yangdouba) and Yangtoupi (Yangdoubi) are the god and the goddess of time in Meitei mythology, folklore and religion (Sanamahism) of Ancient Manipur (Antique Kangleipak). The earliest known record of the existence of the cult of the two time controlling deities dates back to the 2nd century AD during the reign of King Khuyoi Tompok (aka Khuiyoi Tompok).[1] The wooden statues of the two deities are the first known sculptures ever created.[1]
| Yangtoupa & Yangtoupi | |
|---|---|
Time controlling deities[1] | |
| Member of Meitei deities | |
| Other names | Yangdouba and Yangdoubi Yangtouba and Yangtoubi |
| Affiliation | Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) |
| Major cult center | Tanyeishang Loishang (Time Keeping Office) |
| Abode | Tanyeishang Loishang (Time Keeping Office) |
| Artifacts | Wooden statues[1] |
| Region | Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur) |
| Ethnic group | Meitei ethnicity |
| Festivals | Cheiraoba (Meitei New Year)[2][3][4] |
| Greek equivalent | Chronos (Khronos or Chronus) |
| Roman equivalent | Saturn |
The wooden idols of the two deities are the supporting devices to the ancient Meitei time measuring device. The two deities mounted on the frame, being separated by seven Kangkhils (seeds). Yangtoupa (Yangdouba), the god, is allowed to move towards Yangtoupi (Yangdoubi), the goddess, after each dip of the bowl. When the two deities meet each other, one day of the month is recorded according to the set mechanism.[5]
The two deities are offered foods and worshipped by the Tanyeishang Loishang (lit. Time Keeping Office) on the day of Cheiraoba (Meitei new year). In honor of the two deities, the Loishang (lit. office) celebrated the Cheiraoba. This is an important part of the Meitei tradition.[2][3][4]
ReferencesEdit
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Devi, Jamini (2010). Cultural History of Manipur: Sija Laioibi and the Maharas. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-8324-342-1.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Cheiraoba festival celebrated : 14th apr21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Cheiraoba festival celebrated".
- ↑ "Time Measuring Device".
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