Khoriphaba

**Khoriphaba** () is a God in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). He is the son of Sky God Salailen. He came down from heaven to earth to search for his mother and then for a bride. He is best known for wrestling with Loyalakpa in the Lai Haraoba festival. He is also a polo playing God.

## Description 
God Khoriphaba is a Lainingthou. In Ancient Meitei language, "Lai" means God or Deity and "Ningthou" means King or Ruler. However, the term "Lainingthou" carries many meanings. It may refer to "king of gods", "godly king" or "kingly god". Since Khoriphaba is not the king of gods, he is a kingly god.

Khoriphaba is a sportsman. He participated in polo as well as wrestling championships.
Among the deities, God Khoriphaba and God Loyalakpa possess the epithets of being the best wrestlers. The two powerful gods wrestled during the Lai Haraoba festival.

## Mythology 
God Khoriphaba was born with the divine union of God Salailen (alias Soraren) and Goddess Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi at Heaven. When Khoriphaba was three months old (or *three years old*), his parents got separated. His mother was abandoned from entering into Heaven. So, little Khoriphaba was looked after by the 1000 queens of heaven. But he cried for his mother. Salailen tried to pacify the baby's cry but in vain. He gave him milk but it was of no use. He summoned his nobles and subjects. He asked them to make his son stop crying. Thousands of gods and goddesses tried but all of them failed to stop the boy's cry. Finally, Chingkheirel Apamba tried his luck. He sang hymns in praise of the baby God. Suddenly, the boy stopped crying. At this, Salailen named his son *Khoiriphaba*.

One day, Angoupalba Yaibirel Sidaba found Khoiriphaba crying near a tree. He brought the boy to his home. He asked his family to take care of the boy. The clan members looked after the child like their own child. They named him *Puthiba*.

On the next day, the 27 friends proceeded for the journey with Khoiriphaba on a palanquin towards Haorok Konthou. They came from a long distance from Moirang. On the way, they came across a beautiful place. They could not control themselves to rest at the beautiful place for a while. They requested Khoiriphaba who agreed. The beautiful place where they rested was named *"Toubul"* (). Some friends were waiting for the resting friends at another place. The place where they waited was named *"Ngaikhong"*. After some time, little by little, all of his friends left Khoiriphaba alone. So, Khoiriphaba continued his journey alone. On the way, he came across a river. On the river, many women were fishing using nets. Since morning, they could not catch a single fish. He was helped by a woman to cross the river.

On reaching the village of the Kabui tribes in the hills, he was warmly welcomed by the tribesmen. He finally met his long departed mother. He proposed her to return home back to heaven. But she did not agree because she was abandoned by her husband. So, he sadly left his mother.

God Khoriphaba reached Koubru's place. God Koubru offered him to choose any lady of his choice from his place. Khoriphaba chose Goddess Nungthel Leima. But Nungthel Leima was already the consort of Loyalakpa. So, God Koubru could not give him the desired lady. Koubru did not want to take back his own words. He asked Khoriphaba to choose any lady but he should do it blindfolded. Blindfolded Khoiriphaba attempted to choose but he could not get Goddess Nungthel Leima. This action is enacted by the maibis in the Lai Haraoba festival.

## Worship 
During the Lai Haraoba festival, there is a special ritual named *Kanglei Thokpa* dedicated to God Khoriphaba. In this ritual, a group of maibis sing a song depicting Khoriphaba's search for a bride.

"The goddess of the hills, my beloved
The jewel, which I am unable to part with
On such a day, I follow your footprints
I fail to find you...
Sweet one, have you gone to another village?
Or have you gone to fetch fire from your neighbour?
Or have you gone to wash your hair at the riverbank?
Or are you combing your beautiful hair in the huge house of your father?
Perhaps, you have gone to a kang game and seated between two village brothers as a piece of decoration, radiating...
Perhaps, a cloth is tied around your shoulder and slender waist and you are pounding rice.
My friend, I have not seen my beloved for a long time.
Please tell me where she is?

During his worship, cooked foods could be offered but devotees are not allowed to offer fish.

## Texts 
The *Khoriphaba Naothemlon* text describes song to stop little Khoriphaba from crying.
## Namesakes 
### Art and culture association 
The **Khoriphaba Artistes Association** is a non commercial artistes association. It was established in 1971 in Imphal.

### Bodybuilding event 
The **Mr. Khoriphaba Body Building Championship** is an annual bodybuilding event. It includes both men's as well as women's classes. The first championship took place in the year 2019.

## Related pages
* Nongda Lairen Pakhangba
* Pureiromba

## References 
## Bibliography 
* Kege Hareppa Ngangoi Leishemba by Shitalchandra Singh, Thingbaijam
* Khoriphābā: mamā nūṃśibā khonā phabā nūpāmacā amā - Raghu Laiśaṃthem - Rindā Pablikeśans, 2013
* Philosophy On Lai Haraoba by Tamphajao, Yumnam

## Other websites