PRELUDE:Revisiting temples of Bamon Leikai

           

         Culture is a privilege, a gift of human civilization entrusted to us by our forgone generation. Such is the fabric of culture enwoven into the system of every sane human soul that brings out the uniqueness and individuality that make itself stand out among the crowd of millions of diverse people around the world. Vaishnavism literally translates into the tradition of worshipping Vishnu (Supreme God of the Hindus) as the cardinal deity. In Vaishnavite's doctrine, the Gods Vishnu, Brahma and Maheshwar (Lord Shiva) forms a Hindu Trinity or Trimurti. However, the Manipur Vaishnavas or followers of Vaishnavism worships Krishna-Radha besides Lord Vishnu. Krishna and Radha becomes the dominant form of worship with the passing tradition. Since the 1470's the people of Manipur began worshipping Lord Vishnu under the ruling King Kiyamba(1467-1523) of Manipur.

Brahmapur Holi Dal Joypatra at Shree Shree Govindajee Temple,Palace Compound.

           In 1704, King Garibniwaz aka Meidingu  Pamheiba(1709-1748) was inducted into Vaishnava tradition and under his rule, Vaishnavism became the state religion. It is believed King Garibniwaz's grandson King Bhagyachandra aka Chingthangkhomba(1763-1798) brought about a wave of Lord Krishna devotion that made the entire state Krishna conscious. It was during his time Rasa Leela or the form of dance depicting love and affection between Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha (Rasesori)during the full-moon night of the Hindu lunar calendar, was introduced. Rasa Leela and Nata Sangkirtana became the important features of religious function.

  Among the other regions of Manipur, Brahmapur or Bamon Leikai is one of the locality inhabited by Brahmins as the dominant population. As the name suggests "Land of Brahma"(Brahma is the creator god of the Hindu) nestles in the Imphal East District of Manipur across the Imphal River flowing to the west. The one and only pristine Shree Shree Govindajee Temple at Palace Compound is situated at the neighborhood. Hanuman Thakur Temple,Mahabali (built during Garibniwaz' reign in 1725 AD) stands at the Imphal River bank at Brahmapur Nahabam. Commonly known as "Bamon Leikai" to outsiders, the large locality has a unique and unfading custom of practising rituals and ceremonies associated with Goura Sampradaya, a popular sect or school of Hinduism of Northern India. It is believed and said that this particular sect can be traced to its origin, West Bengal 500 years ago with its founding proponent, Shree Shree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.With the adoption of  Chaitanya Vaishnavism, the life style of Bengali Vaishnava society of 18th century AD gained acceptance to this society as an integral part of Vaishnavic way of life.Since then the lineal traditions have been carrying on.

Reference:Wikipedia,Cheitharol Kumbaba.

How to reach Bamon Leikai?