Pakhangba Temple, Uyal Cheirao Ching
The Pakhangba Temple (ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ ꯂꯥꯏꯁꯪ; pakhangba laishang) at Uyal Cheirao Ching (also called Uyal Mamang Ching) is a sacred shrine located in Thoubal district, Manipur, India.[1] It is dedicated to Ibudhou Pakhangba, a primordial deity in Meitei religion, and also houses the shrine of Ibendhou Leisana. The temple is an important place of worship for followers of Sanamahism and for local communities living around the hill.[2][3][4]
Location
[edit]The temple stands on the top of Uyal Cheirao Ching, a hill situated inside the Gwarok Reserved Forest.[5] People from nearby villages such as Uyal, Wangbal, Kairembikhok, Wangjing, Salungpham, Heirok, Langmeithet, Icham Khunou, and others climb the hill to offer prayers to Ibudhou and Ibendhou.[2][3][1]
Religious significance
[edit]The shrine of Ibudhou Pakhangba is an important cultural and spiritual site for Meitei people. Rituals and religious ceremonies are performed at the temple by the Lai Committee every year. Sacred clothes, ritual items, boulders, and other objects kept inside the shrine hold special importance for followers of Sanamahism.[6][2][3]
Vandalism
[edit]Previous incidents
[edit]The temple has experienced earlier disturbances. In 2015, unknown miscreants dug through the temple walls and stole money kept inside.[6]
2024 vandalism
[edit]On the night of 21 May 2024, the temple was vandalised by unknown individuals. The damage was discovered around 5:30 a.m. on 22 May 2024 by morning joggers.[7][6][8]
- Damage Reported
According to the Lai Committee and initial police findings:[5]
- The door of the shrine was broken.[7]
- Sacred clothes and items—including garments of Ibudhou and Ibendhou, dakhan, kokyet, satra, thakan, mirror, phambal, charei phi, and other ritual objects—were taken outside and burned.[7]
- The area where the deities were seated was damaged.[7]
- Two sacred boulders inside the shrine had dents, likely from a heavy object.[7]
Community response
[edit]The incident caused shock, sorrow, and anger among local residents. Community members, religious leaders, and volunteers visited the temple to assess the damage.[6][8]
- Statements by community leaders
- Angom Ningthou Pariton of Uttra Shanglen (Sana Konung) and Sapamcha Kangleipal, a political activist, called the day a “black day” for followers of Sanamahism.[6][8]
- Statements by the Lai Committee
- Members of the Lai Committee, including Huidrom Doren and Huidrom Dijen, expressed deep sadness. They described the act as an attempt to hurt Meitei religious sentiments and appealed to authorities to look into the matter quickly.[7][6][5]
- Organisational responses
The Federation of Indigenous People's Democratic Movement (FIDM) condemned the incident and stated that attacks on Meitei religious sites had become common. The group also requested constitutional protection for Sanamahism by giving it religious minority status.[2][3][4]
- Government and police actions
A team from Thoubal Police, led by the Officer-in-Charge, visited the site and registered a formal case. A preliminary investigation began, but the identity and motive of the miscreants remained unknown at the time.[7][8][5]
The MLA of the Keirao Assembly Constituency visited the shrine with police officials and inspected the damage. He appealed to the public not to attack religious sites and urged cooperation with the investigation. He stated that the incident was not related to the wider unrest in Manipur and provided funds for upcoming rituals scheduled for June 7. He also promised support for repairing the shrine.[2][3]
- Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba
The titular king of Manipur and Member of Parliament called for a thorough investigation. He urged law enforcement authorities to identify and arrest the culprits.[3][4]
Aftermath and public sentiment
[edit]The vandalism led to widespread grief among followers of Sanamahism and Meitei communities in the region. Many individuals and groups demanded stronger protection for religious sites. The event brought renewed attention to the cultural and spiritual value of the temple at Uyal Cheirao Ching.[6][8][3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Pakhangba shrine atop Uyal hill found vandalised : 23rd may24 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b c d e "Ibudhou Pakhangba's shrine vandalised : 23rd may24 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Pakhangba temple vandalized, Titular King of Manipur demands arrest of miscreants". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b c "Pakhangba temple vandalized, Titular King of Manipur demands arrest of miscreants". KRC TIMES. 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b c d Khumukcham, Rinku (2024-05-22). "Temple of Lord Pakhangba desecrated at Uyal Cheirao Ching". News from Manipur - Imphal Times. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j WEBDESK (2024-05-24). "Manipur: Vandalisation of Ibudhou Pakhangba and Ibendhou Leisana temples by miscreants sparks outrage". Org.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Khumukcham, Rinku (2024-05-22). "Temple of Lord Pakhangba desecrated at Uyal Cheirao Ching". News from Manipur - Imphal Times. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Today, North East (2024-05-23). "Manipur: Miscreants Vandalise Temple Of Lord Pakhangba At Uyal Cheirao Ching - Northeast Today". Retrieved 2025-11-16.