Nongmaiching Ching

The Nongmaiching Ching (Meitei: Nongmaijing Ching, lit. 'Nongmaijing Mountain'[lower-alpha 1]), also known as the Selloi Langmai Ching,[8][9] is a mountain in Imphal Valley, Manipur.[10] It has an altitude of around 5,133 feet (1,565 m).[11][12] It is a holy pilgrimage site for the Meitei people. In Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism), it is a sacred mountain and the abode of God Nongpok Ningthou and Goddess Panthoibi.[13][14][15] In Meitei folklore, the Nongmaiching is described as the hill that produces "the seven days of a week".[16]

This article is about a mountain in Imphal Valley. For the associated reserved forest, see Nongmaiching Reserved Forest.
Nongmaiching Ching
Selloi Langmai Ching
Nongmaiching Ching is located in India
Nongmaiching Ching
Nongmaiching Ching
Highest point
Elevation5,133 ft (1,565 m)[1][2]
Prominence2,500 ft (760 m)[3][4][5]
Coordinates24.804°N 94.035°E / 24.804; 94.035
Naming
Etymology"Nongmaiching Mountain" or "Nongmaiching Hill" (see here)
Native nameNongmaijing Ching (Meitei)
English translation"Nongmaijing Mountain" or "Nongmaijing Hill" (see here)
Pronunciation/nong-māi-jīng chīng/
Defining authorityGovernment of Manipur
Geography
LocationImphal Valley
Country
StateManipur
RegionImphal Valley
DistrictImphal East district
BiomeNongmaiching Reserved Forest
Climbing
First ascentBy religious pilgrims or priests in Antiquity
Easiest routehiking
Normal routeNongmaiching Chingka Lambi
(Meitei for 'Nongmaiching mountain climbing route')

Etymology

According to many scholars including Thomas Callan Hodson of the Cambridge University, the Meitei language term "Nongmaiching" (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯆꯤꯡ) is derived from the terms, "nong" (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡ), "mai" (Meitei: ꯃꯥꯏ) and "ching" (Meitei: ꯆꯤꯡ). Nong means sun or rain, mai means face or "in front of", and ching means hill or mountain. So, "Nongmaiching" means "the hill that fronts the rain or sun".[17][18][19]

According to Tarak Chandra Das of the Calcutta University, the term "Nongmaiching" is translated as "the hill which rises to the east of Imphal and which is the scene of a rain-compelling ceremony."[20]

The terms "Nongmaiching" and "Nongmaijing" are interchangeably used.[21]

The term "Nongmaijing" (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯖꯤꯡ) may also mean Sunday in Meitei language (officially called Manipuri).[22][23]

According to the "Guide to the gods" by Marjorie Leach, the term "Nongmaiching" is defined as "A hill god of the Meitheis, Manipur, Assam, India. (Hodson, 1908: 111)".[24]

History
Further information: Nongpok Ningthou § History, and Nongmaiching Reserved Forest § History

In the history of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur), the three out of the seven clans of Meitei ethnicity, namely the Mangang (Meitei: ꯃꯉꯥꯡ), the Luwang (Meitei: ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ) and the Angom (Meitei: ꯑꯉꯣꯝ) are historically associated with the Nongmaiching.[25]

Meitei King Konthouba (Meitei: ꯎꯔꯥ ꯀꯣꯟꯊꯧꯕ) defeated many tribal chiefs and controlled their villages of Shelloi (Selloi) and Longmai (Langmai), near the present day Nongmaiching.[26][27]

Geography

The Nongmaiching lies to the eastern side of Imphal city.[28] It separates Thoubal (Meitei: ꯊꯧꯕꯥꯜ) valley from that of the Iril River (Meitei: ꯏꯔꯤꯜ ꯇꯨꯔꯦꯜ) and the Imphal River (Meitei: ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ ꯇꯨꯔꯦꯜ). The Nongmaiching is close to the Andro, Imphal East.[29][30]

Religious associations
Further information: Nongpok Ningthou § Mythology
A temple dedicated to God Lainingthou Sanamahi, built in Meitei architecture, in the top of the Nongmaiching in Imphal East

The Nongmaiching is a holy pilgrimage site for the Meitei people.[31] In Meitei religion (Sanamahism), the Nongmaiching is deeply associated with God Lainingthou Sanamahi (Meitei: ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ) and God Pakhangba (Meitei: ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ). According to one legend, King Kangba (Meitei: ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯀꯥꯡꯕ) kept an idol of God Sanamahi at a cave in the Nongmaiching.[32]

The Nongmaiching is historically, mythologically and religiously associated with God Langmai Ningthou (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ, romanized: Nongpok Ningthou) and Goddess Panthoibi (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯄꯣꯛ ꯂꯩꯃ, romanized: Nongpok Leima).[33][13][14][34] This is mentioned in the Panthoibi Khongul, an ancient Meitei text.[35]

The Nongmaiching is the place where the Lai Haraoba was celebrated by the divine beings, after which it was imitated by the humans.[36]

"Kanglei Haraoba" (Meitei: ꯀꯪꯂꯩ ꯍꯔꯥꯎꯕ), one of the major types of the Lai Haraoba (Meitei: ꯂꯥꯏ ꯍꯔꯥꯎꯕ) ceremonial ritualistic festival, is associated with the Nongmaiching.[37] As a part of the Lai Haraoba, the Kangleithokpa (Meitei: ꯀꯪꯂꯩꯊꯣꯛꯄ) ritual was performed at the Nongmaiching. It represents the marriage of God Khoriphaba (Meitei: ꯈꯣꯔꯤꯐꯥꯕ).[38]

The Nongmaiching is the place where the final prayers for the worship ceremony associated with the three ancient Meitei deities, namely Pakhangba, Nongshaba and Yumjao Lairembi, are done.[39]

The Loiyumba Shinyen Constitution mentions that the "Salam" family of Meitei ethnicity used to idolise the Langmai Ching (Nongmaiching mountain) and to act the role of God Nongpok Ningthou.[40] The same text mentions that the "Nongmaithem" clan of Meitei ethnicity used to glorify the Langmai Ching (Nongmaiching).[41]

In literature
Further information: Meitei literature

Nongmaiching Chingkoipa

The "Nongmaiching Chingkoipa" (also called, "Nongmaijing Chinggoiba") is an ancient Meitei language text which is an account on the Nongmaiching mountain. It describes the sprawling branches of the mountain extending from the North to the South of the Imphal Valley.[42] The opening lines of the text describes the Nongmaiching to a king as follows:

“O King, the mountain situated in the east and beyond the river is the abode of Kainou Chingsomba, lord of the Langmais. They attain majestic heights, are washed by seven streams, project into nine ranges and abound with deep gorges and sun-drenched ridges... They catch first the sight of every onlooker and stand steadfast unshaken by great earthquakes as if held by strong iron pegs and with their peaks kissed by white flakes of cloud. Their slopes are smoothly carpeted green with pennyworts under the shadow of tall and robust plants of cane and they are also dotted with dense growth of tall reeds. And the gorges reverberate against the strong current of wind. Of these mountain ranges the bard would like to sing.”

— Nongmaiching Chingkoipa (Nongmaijing Chinggoiba)[43]

Following these lines, the author describes on many cliffs, slopes and nearby areas of the Nongmaiching mountain.[44]

Panthoibi Naheirol
See also: Panthoibi § Panthoibi Naheirol

In accordance to the ancient Meitei language text named "Panthoibi Naheirol" (Meitei: ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯅꯥꯍꯩꯔꯣꯜ, romanized: pānthoibī nāheirōl), Panthoibi pretended to be unwell in front of her mother, just to make her mother call physician Nongpok Ningthou for the treatment of her illness.[45] While telling her mother about Nongpok Ningthou, princess Panthoibi mentioned the Nongmaiching (aka Langmai Ching) as follows:

“As I told you there is one who is reigning supreme in the Langmai Hills on whose slope the sun shines first.”

— Panthoibi to her mother in the "Panthoibi Naheirol"[46]

University of Sanamahi Culture
The Sanamahi Kiyong shrine is the central body of the University of Sanamahi Culture.[47]

The University of Sanamahi Culture (Sanamahi Culture University) is a university under construction in the Nongmaiching Ching. It is deeply associated with the Sanamahi Kiyong shrine. The university aims to teach the future generations of people about the ancient Meitei culture of the Sanamahi religion. It will offer its students various subjects about indigenous art forms, dance forms, music, Thang-Ta and Sagol Kangjei (Meitei for 'polo') etc.[48][49] Around ₹23,70,000 (equivalent to ₹6.0 million or US$75,000 in 2023) has been spent as of 2009 on the construction of the University and around ₹25 lakh (equivalent to ₹63 lakh or US$79,000 in 2023), including construction materials, were donated by volunteers. It is estimated that the total cost of the construction of the University will be around ₹7 crore (equivalent to ₹18 crore or US$2.2 million in 2023).[50]

World War II

During World War II, when there was an active combat between the troops of the United Kingdom and Japan in Manipur and other Northeast Indian states, the Nongmaiching serves as the most strategically important point in Imphal Valley.[51]

Deforestation and forestation
Further information: Nongmaiching Reserved Forest § Deforestation, and Nongmaiching Reserved Forest § Forestation

Ecotourism development

The Nongmaiching is one of the important hills and mountains in Manipur that have the strong potential for ecotourism development.[52]

Reserve Forest
Main article: Nongmaiching Reserved Forest

There is a reserved forest in the Nongmaiching.[53]

Santhei Natural Park

The Santhei Natural Park located in the Santhei village of Andro, Imphal East, is at the foothills of the Nongmaiching. It is best known for its scenic natural beauty and serving as a picnic area.[54]

Plant life

The Nongmaiching is the natural habitat for various plant species, including Cymbopogon flexuosus[55] and Goniothalamus sesquipedalis.[56]

  • Saktam Machet Machet Mang Macha Macha (Meitei: ꯁꯛꯇꯝ ꯃꯆꯦꯠ ꯃꯆꯦꯠ ꯃꯪ ꯃꯆꯥ ꯃꯆꯥ): A 1999 Meitei language prose book by Kamal, Toijamba[57]
  • Thaloi Nungkhailon (Meitei: ꯊꯥꯂꯣꯏ ꯅꯨꯡꯈꯥꯏꯂꯣꯟ): A Meitei language astronomy and astrology book by Bhudhachandra, Yumnamcha[58]

See also

Notes
  1. The terms "Nongmaiching" (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯆꯤꯡ) and "Nongmaijing" (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯃꯥꯏꯖꯤꯡ) are interchangeably used.[6] But "Nongmaiching" is the one mentioned officially in the "Manipur Gazette".[7]

References
  1. Basanta, Ningombam (2008). Modernisation, Challenge and Response A Study of the Chakpa Community of Manipur. Akansha Publishing House. p. 16. ISBN 9788183701525. The 'Nongmaiching' hill is around 5133 ft, above the sea
  2. The Indian Forester. R.P. Sharma. 1960. pp. 100, 107. The formation is observed at Nongmaijing hill rising upto 1564m. in altitude. ... This forest is observed at Nongmaijing. The hill runs in a north and south direction. The highest peak is 1564 m. high above the sea level.
  3. The Twentieth Century. Nineteenth Century and After. 1891. p. 881. Nong-mai-Ching, a fine hill rising 2,500 feet above the valley; turning to the northward and crossing two rivers we come again to the place from which we started.
  4. The Living Age. Littell, Son and Company. 1891. p. 94.
  5. The Nineteenth Century. Henry S. King & Company. 1891. p. 881.
  6. Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. p. 6. ISBN 9788170998495.
  7. Manipur Gazette. India: Government of Manipur. 1959. p. 4.
  8. "Sanamahi Kiyong inaugurated: 09th jun19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-19. Selloi Langmai Ching (Nongmaijing Ching)
  9. Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. India. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. "nongmāijing". Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (in English and Manipuri). 2006.
  11. Basanta, Ningombam (2008). Modernisation, Challenge and Response A Study of the Chakpa Community of Manipur. Akansha Publishing House. p. 16. ISBN 9788183701525. The 'Nongmaiching' hill is around 5133 ft, above the sea
  12. The Indian Forester. R.P. Sharma. 1960. pp. 100, 107. The formation is observed at Nongmaijing hill rising upto 1564m. in altitude. ... This forest is observed at Nongmaijing. The hill runs in a north and south direction. The highest peak is 1564 m. high above the sea level.
  13. Vijaylakshmi Brara, N. (1998). Politics, society, and cosmology in India's North East. Oxford University Press. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2.
  14. Religion Of Manipur. Firma Klm. 1980.
  15. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  16. Basanta, Ningombam (2008). Modernisation, Challenge and Response A Study of the Chakpa Community of Manipur. Akansha Publishing House. p. 19. ISBN 9788183701525. So when an account is given on Nongmaiching' hill it is described as a hill which produces the seven (7) days of a week.
  17. Sanajaoba, Naorem (2003). Manipur: Law, customs, hill-men, language and religion. India: Akansha Publishing House. p. 682. ISBN 978-81-87606-31-4. Nongmaiching , which seems to be derived from Nong = sun or rain , mai = face or in front of , and ching = hill , and to mean the hill that fronts the rain or sun .
  18. Hodson, Thomas Callan (1908). The Meitheis. London: D. Nutt. p. 111. ISBN 978-81-7536-149-2. Nongmaiching , which seems to be derived from Nong = sun or rain , mai = face or in front of , and ching = hill , and to mean the hill that fronts the rain or sun .
  19. Ahluwalia, B. K. (1984). Social Change in Manipur. Cultural Publishing House. p. 152. Nongmaiching , which seems to be derived from Nong = sun or rain , mai = face or in front of , and ching hill , and to mean the bill that fronts the rain ar sun .
  20. Das, Tarakchandra (1945). The Purums: An Old Kuki Tribe of Manipur. India: University of Calcutta. p. 109. Nongmaiching, "the hill which rises to the east of Imphal and which is ..... the scene of a rain-compelling ceremony."
  21. Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. p. 6. ISBN 9788170998495.
  22. "nongmāijing". Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (in English and Manipuri). 2006.
  23. Primrose, A. J. (1995). A Manipuri Grammar, Vocabulary and Phrase Book (in English and Manipuri). Asian Educational Services. p. 23. ISBN 978-81-206-1025-5.
  24. Leach, Marjorie (1992). Guide to the gods. Gale Research. p. 362. ISBN 978-1-873477-85-4.
  25. Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization · Volume 4. India. p. 405. ISBN 9788170998532.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  26. Tarapot, Phanjoubam (2003). Bleeding Manipur. p. 97. ISBN 9788124109021.
  27. Birajit, Soibam (2014-12-01). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). p. 80.
  28. Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India Volume 4. p. 1599. ISBN 9788126907069.
  29. Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. p. 6. ISBN 9788170998495.
  30. Louise Lightfoot in Search of India An Australian Dancer's Experience. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 2017. p. 149. ISBN 9781443892582. Nongmaijing Hill is one of the highest hills which separates the Thoubal Valley from that of the Iril and the Imphal.
  31. Organizations and Officials Concerned with Wildlife Protection, 1945. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1945. p. 35.
  32. Tensuba, Keerti Chand (1993). Genesis of Indian Tribes An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais. p. 44. ISBN 9788121003087. When King Kaangba grew old he took and kept the idol of Lai-Ningthou Sannamahi which was also popularly known as Saree, in a cave of Nongmai-Ching hills and himself entered into Paakhangba Iren for the rest of his life.
  33. Devi, Nunglekpam Premi (2018). A Glimpse of Manipuri Literary Works. p. 29.
  34. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  35. Mukherjee, Sujit (1998). A Dictionary of Indian Literature: Beginnings-1850. Orient Blackswan. p. 280. ISBN 978-81-250-1453-9.
  36. Kumar, Niraj; Driem, George van; Stobdan, Phunchok (2020). Himalayan Bridge. Routledge. p. 322. ISBN 978-1-000-21549-6.
  37. Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-000-29629-7. The developed form of Lai Haraoba from Koubru Hill and Non- gmaijing Hillis the characteristic of Kanglei Haraoba and it is per- formed at Imphal and its surrounding areas.
  38. Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-000-29629-7. Later on at Nongmaijing Hill Kangleithokpa and other rituals were included and they represented marriage of the Lainingthou Khoriphaba.
  39. Muthukumaraswamy, M. D.; Kaushal, Molly (2004). Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts NFSC www.indianfolklore.org. p. 71. ISBN 978-81-901481-4-6.
  40. Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. p. 6. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.
  41. Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. p. 4. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.
  42. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature (in English and Manipuri). Sahitya Akademi. p. 102. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  43. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature (in English and Manipuri). Sahitya Akademi. p. 102. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  44. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature (in English and Manipuri). Sahitya Akademi. p. 102. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  45. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature (in English and Manipuri). Sahitya Akademi. p. 61. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  46. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature (in English and Manipuri). Sahitya Akademi. p. 61. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  47. "Sanamahi Kiyong Donation: 15th dec08 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23. THE DONATIONS for the construction of Sanamahi Kiyong, which will be the central body of Sanamahi Lainingkol (University of Sanamahi Culture) at Chingoi Maru Langmaiching (Nongmaiching) is going on.
  48. "Sanamahi Kiyong inaugurated: 09th jun19 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  49. "Sanamahi University on the card: 25th jan04 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  50. "Construction of Sanamahi shrine at Nongmaiching progressing: 09th apr09 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  51. The Battlefields of Imphal The Second World War and North East India. Taylor & Francis. 2016. p. 116. ISBN 9781317274025.
  52. Singh, Arambam Sanatomba (2021). Ecotourism Development Ventures in Manipur: Green Skill Development and Livelihood Mission. Walnut Publication. p. 78. ISBN 9789391145590.
  53. SAHA, GOUTAM KUMAR; MAZUMDAR, SUBHENDU (2017). WILDLIFE BIOLOGY: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE. PHI Learning. p. 93. ISBN 978-81-203-5313-8.
  54. Guha, Samapti; Majumdar, Satyajit (2021). In Search of Business Models in Social Entrepreneurship: Concepts and Cases. Springer. p. 221. ISBN 978-981-16-0390-7.
  55. Singh, Huidrom Birkumar (2003). Herbal Medicine of Manipur: A Colour Encyclopaedia. Daya Publishing House. p. 14. ISBN 978-81-7035-300-3.
  56. Singh, Huidrom Birkumar (2003). Herbal Medicine of Manipur: A Colour Encyclopaedia. Daya Publishing House. p. 20. ISBN 978-81-7035-300-3.
  57. Kamal, Toijamba (1999). Saktam Machet Machet Mang Macha Macha (in Manipuri). India: Toijam Publications Thengra Leirak, Churachandpur.
  58. Bhudhachandra, Yumnamcha (1986). Thaloi Nungkhailon (in Manipuri). India: Enat Kanba Amasung Samgatpa Lup, Nambul Mapal.
  59. Singh, Kullachandra H. Tingkhanglakta Gulap (in Manipuri). India: Shri H. Kulachandra Singh, Imphal.
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Meitei mythology & folklore

Mythic Texts and Folktales:
Numit Kappa | Moirang Kangleirol | Moirang Shayon | Khamba Thoibi | Sandrembi and Chaisra
Fungawari Singbul | Funga Wari
Divinities:
Maikei Ngaakpa Lais | Leimalel | Sanamahi
Emoinu | Panthoipi
Legendary Creatures:
Dragons | Helloi | Hingchabi | Keibu Keioiba | Khoirentak tiger | Samadon Ayangba | Uchek Langmeidong
Mythical and Sacred Places:
Lai Lamlen | Khamnung | Kangla | Mt. Koupalu | Nongmaiching Hills | Thangching Hills

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