Nongshaba

Nongshaba is a lion god in Sanamahism and Meitei mythology. He is also regarded as a king of the gods. He is credited with producing light in the primordial universe and is regarded as the maker of the sun. He is worshipped by the people of both the Ningthouja clans as well as the Moirang clans. Nongshaba was worshipped by the people of Moirang clan as a lineage deity and regarded as the father of the god Thangching. He is the greatest of the but he made his only son Thangching the chief deity of Moirang.

== History == The cult of Nongshaba was brought from Moirang by Mungyaang Ngairaangba and Yumnaam Tonba, who presented the deity to King Khagemba () (r. 1597-1652 AD). The position Nongshaba's cult was buoyed by his recognition as an Umang Lai and installation as King of the gods, and the construction of a five storied-temple in his honour. Other Umang Lais became lesser deities. During the King's reign, a Meitei family, the Leithangbam, was given responsibility for the cult of Nongshaba. The Phura, a group of priestessess dedicated to Nongshaba was also established.