Khunu Leima (Meiteiꯈꯨꯅꯨꯔꯩꯃ, lit.'pigeon lady') or Khunureima is the goddess of pigeons and doves in Sanamahism' the indigenous religion of Manipur. She is a sister of goddesses Nganu Leima and Shapi Leima. Legend says that all three sisters married the same mortal man.[1][2][3][4][5]

Khunu Leima
Goddess of pigeons and doves
Member of Lairembis
Depiction of Khunu Leima
Other names
  • Khunuleima
  • Khunureima
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Animalspigeons and doves
Symbolspigeons and doves
GenderFemale
RegionManipur, Northeast India
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Genealogy
ParentsSalailen
SiblingsNganu Leima and Shapi Leima

Description

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Khunu Leima is the ruler of all pigeons. At any time, she could summon all pigeons to any place she wishes. She is one of the daughters of the sky god Salailen.[2][6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
  2. ^ a b Manipuri Phungawari (in Manipuri). 2014. p. 202 – via archive.org.
  3. ^ Eben Mayogee Leipareng (in Manipuri). 1995. p. 107 – via archive.org.
  4. ^ Tal Taret (in Manipuri). 2006. p. 43 – via archive.org.
  5. ^ Regunathan, Sudhamahi (2005). Folk Tales of the North-East. Children's Book Trust. ISBN 978-81-7011-967-8.
  6. ^ Tal Taret (in Manipuri). 2006. p. 46 – via archive.org.