Sanamahism (Meitei: Sanamahi Laining, lit. "Sanamahi religion"[1][2]) or Meiteism (Meitei: Meitei Laining, lit. "Meitei religion"[4][5]) or Lainingthouism[a][7][b] (lit. "faith of God-king"[8][c]) or Sanamahi Dharma,[9] is an ethnic religion of the Meitei people of Manipur, Northeast India. It is a polytheistic religion and is named after God Lainingthou Sanamahi, one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith.[10][11][12] Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Yaibirel Sidaba (also known as Saalailel Sidaba) and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. The importance of Sanamahi in the religion is also emphasized in the name itself which means Liquid Gold. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, Maru Loishang (also known as Pandit Loishang) that oversees the main religious activities and govern all affairs pertaining to the religion including conducts of priest and priestess.[13] The Maru Loishang also acts a court for religious disputes.[13] There are three main departments under the Pandit Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang and the Amaibi Loishang.[14] These departments have existed since the reign of King Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong of Manipur in 662 AD.[14]

Sanamahism
(ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ)Meitei: Sanamahi Laining, lit. "Sanamahi religion"[1][2]

The Symbol of Sanamahism (Source: Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya)

TypeEthnic religionClassificationAnimismScripturePuyas written on religious beliefs originally in Meitei scriptTheologyPolytheismRegion India

 Manipur (Meitei: Kangleipak)

LanguageClassical MeiteiNumber of followersapprox. 235,000[3]



This article contains the Meitei alphabet. Without proper rendering support, you may see errors in display.

TermEnglishSanamahismAncient Meiteiꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡ
(sa-naa-ma-hee lai-ning)Modern Meiteiꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ
(sa-naa-ma-hee lai-ning)