Pakhangba Temple, Kangla

Meitei temple inside the Kangla Fort

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24°48′29″N 93°56′28″E / 24.808°N 93.941°E / 24.808; 93.941ArchitectureStyleMeitei architectureCreatorUnknown (for the previous historical structure)
Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited (for the present reconstructed structure)Funded byGovernment of ManipurCompletedUnknown (for the previous historical structure)
2010 (for the present reconstructed structure)SpecificationsHeight (max)48 feet (15 m)^[1]Dome(s)1Minaret(s)1Spire(s)1Site areaKangla FortTemple(s)1Monument(s)1Shrine(s)1Elevation48 ft (15 m)

The Pakhangba Temple, also known as the Pakhangba Laishang (Meitei: ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ ꯂꯥꯏꯁꯪ, lit. 'Temple of God Pakhangba'), is a Meitei temple dedicated to the God Pakhangba of Sanamahism, the traditional Meitei religion, located beside the Nungseng Eekon, to the left side of the Kangla Sanathong, the western gate of the Kangla Fort in the Imphal West district of Manipur.^[1]

Construction

The recently-constructed Iputhou Pakhangba Laisang temple is an example of Meitei architecture. It is located in the grounds of Kangla Palace. The construction was carried out by the "Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited" under the aegis of the "Kangla Fort Board" between December 2008 and January 2010.^[2]^[1]

On 19 February 2010, along with the performance of religious rites and rituals by the maibas (Meitei for 'priests') and the maibis (Meitei for 'priestesses') invoking God Pakhangba at Nungjeng Pukhri Macha, the Pakhangba Temple was consecrated along with a Hiyang Hiren (royal boat) by Ph. Parijat, the then Health and Family Welfare Minister of Manipur Government. There was also religious procession with priestesses offering Maibi Jagoi to the music of the pena from the Nungjeng Pukhri Macha to the temple.^[1]^[2]

During the inaugural event, Dr. Kh. Sorojini, the then Director of the Manipur Art and Culture Department, said that the re-construction of the temple of God Pakhangba and the re-installation of the Hiyang Hiren was a long cherished desire of the public.^[1]

Features and architectural designs

The major architectural designs for the 48-feet high Pakhangba temple are the sacred altar dedicated to God Pakhangba and the seven-coloured flag designed roof, symbolising the seven Meitei clans.^[1]

Visiting

The temple is visited by both the followers as well as the non-followers of Sanamahism. During November 2018, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, a princess of Thailand, visited the Pakhangba Temple as a part of her visit to Manipur's Sangai festival.^[3] She was accompanied by a Thai media team and the officials of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India during her visit to the temple.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Pakhangba temple consecrated amidst religious rituals: 20th feb10 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". www.e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Pakhangba Temple, Hiyang Hiren at Kangla inaugurated: 20th feb10 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". www.e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
^ Correspondent (15 September 2010). "Thai princess visits Kangla Fort". assamtribune.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022. A Thai media team was also present during the princess's visit to the Kangla Museum, Shri Shri Govindaji Temple and the Ibudhou Pakhangba Temple.
^ Desk, Sentinel Digital (29 November 2018). "Manipur: Thailand Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Visited Historic Kangla Fort - Sentinelassam". The Sentinel Assam. Archived from the original on 20 June 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2022. A Thai media team and officials of Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India was also present during her visit at Kangla fort wherein the Princess visited Kangla Museum, Shri Shri Govindaji Temple and Ibudhou Pakhangba Temple.