Marjing Ching, located at Heingang, is the homage of Ibudhou Marjing, the God of Polo and horses. The Marjing Ching is in such a place which is a little far away from the crowded houses, a place where we can find nature at its best. I have especially included this place because of its relation with the Manipuri Pony.
The Manipuri Pony are the small horses that have been bred for centuries in Manipur. In the early days, they have been used for war and were ridden by our Meitei warriors.
The Sagol Kangjei game which is called the Polo game in the modern day has its origin in Manipur. This was played with our Manipuri Ponies. In this game, each of the players are fitted with Polo stick made of bamboo root. This is one of the famous indigeneous games of Manipur.
Lets focus more on Marjing Ching now. I have been there for an Ushop (A feast with different types of curry, vegetables and different varieties of food which are seasonal). The feast was prepared there by the Brahmins. We had the feast at a community hall and all the food items were delicious. Before this feast, we entered the temple for worship to Ibudhou Marjing where we have to pray to Ibudhou. The temple in this place has not only Ibudhou Marjing for worship, but it also has three other Gods for worship viz. Ibendhou (wife of Ibudhou Marjing), Tolenkhomba (their son also known as Ibudhou Loyalakpa) and Nongtheleima (wife of Tolenkhomba). Nongtheleima is the daughter of Awang Koubru, the God which is at the Koubru ching.
Ibudhou Marjing is considered as the head of all other Gods. I learnt this information from Sanasam Brajabihari from Heingang Awang leikai who is in charge of this Ibudhou Marjing temple.
Things like rice, fruits, vegetables and dresses for the Gods are offered in times of worship. Many people from different parts of the state come to this place for worship. Even the candidates because of their firm belief in Ibudhou Marjing come here for worship in times of election. Ibudhou Marjing Haraoba is celebrated in summer where it will be conducted for 9 to 10 days. Ima Taret is also worshipped here.
The above picture is Mangka Mayanglambam, renowned female legendary folk singer of the state. We have a famous song sung by her about our Manipuri Pony titled as Shamadon Ayangba which was sung in the 8th Manipur International Polo tournament. In Manipuri mythology, Shamadon Ayangba is a mythical creature in the form of a white winged flying horse.
The lyrics of the song was so beautifully written by Bachaspatimayum Jayantakumar Sharma, renowned lyricist of Manipur. The song describes about the relationship between Ibudhou Marjing and the horses.
Its lyrics starts as:
Hada Samadon ayaangba
Marjing laigi khunet shaa
Heingang chingda khubam yaa
Yaang-goiriba laang-goi shaa
Kouge nangbu chinglemba
saagal tuphaang lamba shaa
Kouge nangbu chinglemba
saagal tuphaang lamba shaa
Hada Samadon ayaangba
Marjing laigi khunet shaa
Hada Samadon ayaangba...
I have visited it again with my friends to see the Marjing Ching and the scenic beauty around it. There are a number of hills surrounding it and the fields there add much beauty to it. People working in the fields are so hardworking, their efforts and hard work can be seen through the fields. (Heingang paat which is just in front of the Heingang ching)
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