Marjing: Meitei God of polo, horses and warfare

He is the God of horses, polo, hockey, sports and war. The guardianship of the north eastern direction is alluded to Marjing and the other directions to Koubru (north west), Thangjing (south west) and Wangbren (south east). According to the legend, he invented the game of polo (Sagol Kangjei) and introduced it as the national game. He and his divine creature, Samadon Ayangba, reside in the top of the Heingang hills.

Marjing
God of polo, hockey, horse, sports and war
Member of Divine polo players
God Marjing riding on Samaton, the winged horse
Other names	Marching, Ibudhou Marjing, Ebudhou Marjing, Iputhou Marjing, Eputhou Marjing
Affiliation	Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult center	Heingang Hills
Abode	Heingang Hills
Weapon	Kangjei (Polostick)
Artifacts	Kangjei (Polostick)
Animals	Horses
Mount	Samadon Ayangba (Old Manipuri: Samaton Ayangpa)
Texts	Kangjeirol, Leithak Leikharol
Gender	Male
Region	Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic group	Meitei ethnicity
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Personal information
Consort	Humu Leima
Offspring	Tolongkhomba (or Loyalakpa in other stories)
Dynasty	Chenglei dynasty
Equivalents
Greek equivalent	Ares
Norse equivalent	Odin

According to the Leithak Leikharol PuYa, God Marjing (mentioned as "Maraching") originated from the intestines of Atiya Sidaba. He was created to control Samadon Ayangba, the divine horse (Old Manipuri: Sakon). The horse was created from the foot of Ashiba (Sanamahi).

God Marjing is one of the five gods who enter into the human body and position themselves as one of the souls. Marjing dwells in the heart of human body. The God is also associated with Sagol Kangjei (Polo), the main sports of the Meitei people. Parratt says "His main importance in Meitei mythology is that he is credited with the invention of polo, the national game."

Sagol Kangjei (English: Polo) is originally the game of gods. There are 7 players on each side. They used Kangdrum (a ball made from bamboo root). This is what the human beings imitate from them. The first divine polo match was played during the festival of Lai Haraoba.

During the Lai Haraoba festival, a maibi (priestess) performs a ritual in the form of a mime. She holds a mallet in her hand and enacts the game of polo.

Every year, in the top of the Heingang Hills, devotees offer polostick (Old Manipuri: ꯀꯥꯡꯆꯩ, romanized: kangchei, Meitei: ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩ, romanized: kangjei) and bamboo-root-ball (Meitei: ꯀꯥꯡꯗ꯭ꯔꯨꯝ, romanized: kangdrum) to God Marjing. This is done even when any animal in one's house become sick.

In 1618 AD, during the reign of King Khagemba, a public worship took place at his abode and also at every watery place on the river side. Wild boars, ducks, cocks, hen, pigeons and other creatures were offered to God Marjing. This was recorded in the Cheitharol Kumbaba.

• Koubru - north west protector
• Thangjing - south west protector
• Wangbren - south east protector