Koupalu

Meitei Guardian God of North West direction

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Koupalu

Guardian God of the North West Direction

Member of Maikei Ngaakpa Lais and Umang Lais
Other names| Koubaru, Koubru
Affiliation| Sanamahism
Abode| Mount Koupalu
Weapon| Spear
Animals| White elephant
Mount| White elephant
Gender| Male
Ethnic group| Meitei
Festivals| Lai Haraoba[1] -
Personal information
Consort| Kounu, Likla Leima, Koujeng Leima
Children|

* Loyalakpa
* Thoudu Nungthel Leima
* Koubru Namoinu[2])

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Koupalu (Manipuri: ꯀꯧꯕꯔꯨ) is a primordial deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. He is the Guardian of the North West direction.[3][4][5][6] Legend says he is the founder of civilization in Ancient Manipur,[4] starting from the Mount Koubru, a peak where he abodes, in north-western Manipur.[3][6][7][8]

God Koubru resides in the Mount Koubru (Koubru Hill). The Mount Koubru (Koubru Hill) is the first place of settlement of the Meitei ethnicity, including the Lois of Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai.[3][6]

## Origin[edit]

The traditional hymns supplement the theory of origin.

> Awang Koubru Assupa
>  Leimalai Khunda Ahanba.
>  Nongthrei Ma-U Lingliba,
>  Irik Mapan Thariba,
>  Lainingthou!

English translation of the above passage:

> North Koubru all-inclusive (pervasive)
>  Leima Lai first habitation,
>  Heaven-flower all things seen established,
>  Blood drop (Blood cell) planters,
>  O! Lainingthou (King of Gods)![9]

This is the hymn of invocation of God Koubru (Koupalu in PuYas).[9]

## Description[edit]

Lord Koupalu (Koubru) is the Omniscient and the Omnipotent Guardian God. He lives on the top of Mount Koubru.[10] God Koubru, the Heavenly Lord, is said to be the controller of the nine underground wells/tunnels. These are associated with the birth and death of the mankind. The 9 tunnels are sacred to the Meitei people. So, these are still worshipped by the Meiteis.[11]

## Worship[edit]

In the Lai Haraoba festival, a ritualistic folk song dedicated to God Koubru is sung like this:

> Awang Koubru Assupa
>  Eeyen Khunda Ahanba

English translation of the above passage:

> Koubru of the North, You are the overlord
>  You are the first place of settlement.[3][6]

The Meiteis offer a beautiful puppy to God Koubru to free themselves from the sufferings.[3][6] The Loi caste of the Meitei ethnicity worship God Koubru on every occasion, including birth, marriage and death.[3][6] All the Loi villagers excluding Andro are the worshipers of God Koubru.[10]

## See also[edit]

* Marjing – north east protector
* Thangjing – south west protector
* Wangbren – south east protector

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Koupalu – Manipur News". 11 September 2018.
2. ^ Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (11 May 2018). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0.
3. ^ a b c d e f Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.
4. ^ a b Singh, N. Tombi (1972). Manipur: A Study. Available with Raj Stores.
5. ^ Brara, N. Vijaylakshmi (1998). Politics, Society, and Cosmology in India's North East. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-564331-2.
6. ^ a b c d e f Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
7. ^ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
8. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh; Horam, M.; Rizvi, S. H. M. (1998). Manipur. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-81-7046-127-2.
9. ^ a b Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2 June 2014). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. p. 11\. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.
10. ^ a b Bareh, Hamlet (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-790-0.
11. ^ Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2 June 2014). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. p. 12\. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.

## External links[edit]

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Sanamahism

Practices and beliefs|

* Lai haraoba
* Ritual dance
* Polytheism
* Animism
* Meitei festival
* Mythology

Sanamahism shrines|

* List of Umang Lai Laishang
* Meitei architecture

Notable Lai|

* Taibang Mapu
* Sanamahi
* Lainingthou Koupalu
* Lan Leima

Important literature|

* Numit Kappa
* Sanamahi Laihui

See also|

* Religion in Manipur
* List of Meitei deities

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