Mei Iratpa
( Worship Of Fire )
By: N Mangi Devi *
It is very interesting to note that the Meiteis used to pray to fire God from the very early times for the purpose of fulfilling one's ardent wish, for the welfare of the society.
It is a believed that fire removes darkness ignorance by intellect.
Evil is dark good is bright.
Fire gives light and removes darkness, fire drives away evil and brings goodness.
This belief is still in vogue. It is seen that when one comes to the house after attending cremation of somebody's death and one coming back from far off places fire is always lighted.
At the marriage function special fire is lighted known as "Vihuti"-When the bridegroom is received at the gate of the bride's house and also when the bride arrives at the house of the bridegroom.
It shows the driving out of the evil spirits and guarding them for good.
There is a special arrangement of this fire worship that is followed at the ceremony of Nahutpa, Lugun Thangba by both Hindu Vaishnavism and Sanamahi Laining lup
with a difference in chanting the names of God by the Maibas/Priests.
* N Mangi Devi wrote this book entitled "Main Ceremonies of Meitei Society . This article was webcasted on December 22nd 2009.
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