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This
megalithic monument with engraved figure stands on an earth-mound in
the locality of Yairipok Bamon Leikai in Thoubal District. |
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The area was
originally inhabited by Meitei Brahmin families but is now occupied by
Manipur Muslims. The place of location is around 26 kms to the
south-east of Imphal. |
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The texture
of the monolith is of fine sandstone. It is 75 x 105 sq. cm in size,
and rises 0.75 metre above the surface level. |
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It is
believed that the monolith is a representation of the image of the
presiding God of Elephants, to whom the Maharaja of Manipur sought
blessings in catching and taming wild elephants. |
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Mythology
has it that wild elephants came there to pay obeisance to the diety on
certain occasions. Whatever the saying may be, the monolith is the
representing diety of the Samulailatpham (Samu = Elephant, Lai = God,
Latpham = place of worship) family of Meitei Bamon/brahmin community.
The Muslim populace avoid entering the area. |
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The monolith
is engraved with a full figure of a turtle, representative of the
image (Avatar) of Lord Narayan. The inference as from the viewpoint of
Hindu mythology is the 'salgram' and none other than the four-armed
Vishnu who holds Shangkha (conch), Chakra (rotating disc), Gadda
(mace) and Padma (lotus) in His four hands, depicting His second
divine incarnation of Kurmabatar (i.e. the turtle incarnation). |
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It is
believed to have been erected during the reign of Khagemba Maharaj
(1579 - 1652 A. D.). It clearly speaks of the strong influence of
Vaishnavism in Manipur as early as the sixteenth century A.D. The
Hindu belief of the Supreme God and His Divine manifestations in
several forms in accordance to the various demands of the times and in
meeting the challenges of evil forces bent upon to destroy mankind, is
reflected here. The total area protected is 7 x 7 sq. m. |
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