Loktak Ima (), also known as Loktak Lairembi (), is the personification of the Loktak lake, who is revered by the Meitei people as the mother goddess of the sacred waters of the Loktak lake. She is highly respected and venerated by the fishermen communities of the Meitei ethnicity living in and around the periphery of the Loktak lake. She is also considered as the fountainhead of Meitei culture. Her embodiment, the Loktak lake is associated with the epic of Khamba and Thoibi as well as that of Poubi Lai of Meitei mythology and folklore.
Attributes Loktak goddess is often compared to a lady with heart that is pure and kind. It is said that whenever she passes by, the water birds praise her by singing and the deers bow their heads. She is benevolent to fishes.
The of traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism) often sings of the grasslands, food and raw materials derived from the Loktak lake, which is believed to be the body of the Loktak Lairembi (Loktak goddess) herself. Loktak goddess is the symbol of the characters of independence and self-actualization of the women of Manipur.
As a fish goddess Loktak goddess is believed to be the one who is responsible for the replenishment of the fish population in the Loktak lake. According to traditional beliefs, there is no vanishing of the fish population no matter how much they catch fishes. The identity of Loktak goddess is also sometimes believed to be associated with Meitei goddess of water, Ereima.
Guardianship Meitei language quotation on the Mother Loktak
English translation
The Meiteis acknowledge full reliance on the Loktak lake for their traditional occupations.
The Meitei people (living around the lake) consider the Loktak lake as their guardian. They believe the lake as their mother, as it is possible for them to depend upon the lake for their livelihoods, for their children and their family, only because of the grace bestowed upon them by the Mother Loktak.
In literature The Lore of Loktak
Description in Meitei language literary works Description Description Meanings/TranslationsLoktak Sheitharol, page no. 1 (ꯂꯣꯛꯇꯥꯛ ꯁꯩꯊꯥꯔꯣꯜ , ꯂꯥꯃꯥꯏ :꯱)।Loktak Sheitharol, page no. 1 (লোক্তাক শৈথারোল, লা:১)।Loktak Sheitharol, page no. 1In the region of Thangjing Hill range Goddess of Loktak seek asylum Narrating the creation myth It happened on your lap Immortal tales, seven Epic cycles of incarnations, Perfect incarnation of divinity Incarnation of Leimarel It is an unforgettable story Perfection of the granary of literature ...
In popular culture Loktak Lairembee (film) (English: Lady of the Lake) : a 2016 Indian Meitei language film directed and produced by Haobam Paban Kumar.
See also Loktak Folklore Museum Een Chingba (Khamba Thoibi)
Notes
References