Domain:Social practices, rituals and festive events
State:
Description:
The video is a presentation on the history of the development of Vaishnavism in Manipur. It also discusses the creation of the idol of Lord Govindaji (the incarnation of Lord Krishna as a cowherd) by a Manipuri King. The film is produced by the Manipur Film Development and includes interviews with scholars and artists conducted in the Meitei language. Vaishnavism flourished in the north eastern kingdom of Manipur during the 18th century under the patronage of the Meitei kings. One of the most well known kings associated with the spread of Vaishnavism in the history of Manipur is King Bhagyachandra who is credited with the creation of the idol of Shri Govindaji and the introduction of the Ras Lila, a Radha-Krishna dance drama. According to the royal chronicle, Cheitharol Kumbaba, King Bhagyachandra was visited by Lord Govindaji in his dream who directed him to carve a statue out of a sacred jackfruit tree at Kaina, a small hillock in Manipur.