Haoreima (Meitei: ꯍꯥꯎꯔꯩꯃ, lit. 'tribal lady') or Haoleima (Old Manipuri: ꯍꯥꯎꯂꯩꯃ)[2] is a goddess of tragic love and separation in Meitei mythology and Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur.[1][3]: 603 >[4] According to some legends, she was a woman from the hills, who was killed while arranging to meet her lover, and turned into a tortured spirit. She is regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Panthoibi.[5] She is also identified with the goddess Nongthang Leima.[3]
She is also worshipped as goddess Ireima, an incarnation of the goddess Panthoibi. She is one of the most revered Meitei goddesses although to the Tangkhul people, she isn't a goddess but rather a historical figure, daughter of a tribal village chief. As well as being the Goddess of tragic love and separation is also regarded as the Goddess of diseases, souls and spirits.[3]: 603 [1]
According to legend, Haoreima was the daughter of Khelemba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingdai village. She was already married to Khamlangba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingshong village. Despite marrying Khamlangba, she had a secret love affair with King Meidingu Tabungba, also known as Tabung Saphaba (1359-1394). Upon discovering the secret relationship, Khamlangba angrily beheads Tabung Saphaba.[1] Traumatized by his violent death, Haoreima takes the head of her lover to the Kanglei Pungmayol. Later, she is transformed into a goddess.
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