Meitei Culture/Mythology/Goddesses/Kounu



Goddess Kounu is the tutelary protectress of the northern directions. She is also the queen of the northern mountains of Kangleipak. She is believed to dwell in the snows of far north. She is the blesser of good rainfall to bring good agricultural harvest to prosper the human civilisation.

She is the wife of God Koupalu (also called Koubaru or Koubru). So, besides her native place Kounu Ching (meaning "Kounu mountain" in Classical Meitei language), she has her second home at Mount Koubru, the sacred abode of her husband. She is one of the most benevolent and compassionate divine motherly ladies. Kounu adopted goddess Thoudu Nungthel Leima (also, Nungthen Leima) as her own daughter, after finding her as a newborn baby girl lying on the stone slab in a riverbed. Kounu also adopted Loiyalakpa (also called Tollomkhomba or Tollongkhomba) as her own son. Kounu also adopted another lady as her own daughter, who was later known by the name Koubarol Namoinu ("Koupalol Namoinu" in Classical Meitei language).