Khamlangba

Khamlangba
(Old Manipuri: Khamlangpa)
Khamlangba ; (Old Manipuri: Khamlangpa)
God of iron, mining, metallurgy, steel manufacturing, hunting and war
Member of Lainingthous and Lam Lais
	Khamlangpa mining iron ores
Other names	Lai Khamlangpa, Lainingthou Khamlangpa, Khaplangpa, Khaplangba
Meitei
Affiliation	Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult center	Kakching
Abode	Kakching
Artifacts	Iron ores and steel
Adherents	Meitei people (especially Naorem family and Mayanglambam family)
Texts	Khamlangba Khunggumlon; Khamlangba Thenlon; Kangjeirol;
Gender	Male
Region	Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic group	Meitei ethnicity
Festivals	Kakching Haraoba (one of the 4 types of Lai Haraoba)
Personal information
Consort	Huimu Leima
Offspring	Amudon (alias Amuton)
Parents	Atiya Sidaba (Atingkok Sidaba) (father);
Greek equivalent	Hephaestus
Roman equivalent	Vulcan

Khamlangba (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯂꯥꯡꯕ, romanized: kham-laang-ba), also spelt as Khamlangpa (Old Manipuri: ꯈꯝꯂꯥꯡꯄ, romanized: kham-laang-pa), is a deity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). He is the God of iron, mining, metallurgy, steel manufacturing, hunting and war.^[1]^[2] His occupation is the extraction of the iron ores and the manufacture of steel.^[2] The Khamlangba Thenlon text mentions about his skills of iron metallurgy and blacksmith in ancient Kakching kingdom.

Description

Khamlangpa mining iron ores

God Khamlangba is the miner of iron ores and the manufacturer of steel. He is worshipped for peace and prosperity in the kingdom. He is revered for protecting people from diseases and death. He drives away the evil spirits from the state. He belongs to the class of Sylvan Gods (Umang Lais).^[2]

The Kangjeirol text mentions that God Khamlangba was one of the divine polo players who played the divine polo match of the gods.^[3]

Mythology

In the creation myth, God Khamlangba was grown out of Atiya Sidaba. He was a great hunter, warrior and miner. He lived with Goddess Huimu Leima and a son named Amudon was born to them. After this, Khamlangba left Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur) for Tripura (Meitei: Takhel) in search of iron ores. When he returned to Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur), he settled in Kakching. The people of Kakching worshipped Him. Later, "Kakching Haraoba", a new form of Lai Haraoba was developed.^[1] This account is evident in the Khamlangba Khunggumlon text.^[3]

In another legend, God Khamlangba stayed for some time at a place named "Khuman Heiyel Loubuk". Later, he came to Kheraching. A person named Nganba Tekcha Pamba Laihat Thouba beheaded Irum Lai Tubi Kokling Lengba. So, the place where God Khamlangba stayed was later known as Kakching Khullen and Kakching Wairi.^[2]

God Khamlangba participated in the divine polo match played among the gods. The divine polo match took place during the reign of the deified Meetei King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba as described in the Kangjeirol text.^[3] He was one of the 7 polo players in the northern team. His team was led by God Marjing. On the other hand, his opponent's team (southern team) was led by God Thangjing.^[4]

Khamlangpa mining iron ores

Cults and shrines

God Khamlangba holds a special position for the Kakching Haraoba. Kakching Haraoba is one of the four types of Lai Haraoba festival.^[5]

During the era of King Samuroiba Ningthou, the temple of Khamlangba was built in Kakching Khullen. The Naorem clan also built a temple of Khamlangba at Kakching Wairi. The temple of Khamlangba in Kakching Khullen was maintained by the Mayanglambam family while the one at Kakching Wairi was maintained by Naorem family.^[2]