Md Rifat at 03:30, 21 March 2026

2026-03-21T03:30:10Z

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{{Short description|Western entrance gate to the Kangla Fort}}
{{About|the western entrance to the [[Kangla Palace]]|the eastern entrance|Kangla Nongpok Thong}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Kangla Sanathong <br /> (Kangla Gate)
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| logo =
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| image = {{Multiple image|perrow = 1|total_width = 300| align = none
| image1 = The Kangla Gate.JPG
| image2 = Kangla Gate.jpg
| size = 280
| spacing = 1
| position = centre
| border = 0
| color = white
}}
| image_size =
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| image_caption = The western (outer) and the eastern (inner) views of the Kangla Sanathong in 2008

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| coordinates = {{coord|24.807|93.939|display=inline,title}}
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| alternate_names =
* {{langnf|mni|Nongchup Kangla Sanathong|Western Kangla Gate|break=yes}}
* {{langnf|mni|Nongchup Sanathong|Western Gate|links=no|break=yes}}
| etymology = Golden door of the [[Kangla]]
| status =
| cancelled =
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| architectural_style = [[Meitei architecture]]
| classification =
| location = [[Kangla Fort]], [[Imphal West district]], [[Manipur]]
| address = [[Kangla Fort]], [[Imphal West district]], [[Manipur]]
| location_city = [[Imphal]]
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* {{flagicon image|Flag of Manipur.svg}} [[Manipur Kingdom]] (historical)
* {{IND}} (present)
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| owner = [[Government of Manipur]]
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}}
The {{langnf|mni|'''Kangla Sanathong'''|The Royal Entrance to the [[Kangla]]}}, also known as the '''Kangla Gate'''{{efn|It is also known "Kangla Gate" because it is the most popular one among all the gates of the [[Kangla]].}}, is the western entrance gate to the [[Kangla Fort]] in [[Imphal West district]] of {{langnf|mni|[[Kangleipak]]|[[Manipur]]}}.

== Etymology ==
In [[Meitei language]] (officially called [[Manipuri language]]), "Sanathong" ({{langx|mni|ꯁꯅꯊꯣꯡ}}) literally means "the golden door",<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Muthukumaraswamy |first1=M. D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xsrgg1Mel8UC&q=sanathong+golden+door&pg=PA69 |title=Folklore, Public Sphere, and Civil Society |last2=Kaushal |first2=Molly |date=2004 |publisher=NFSC www.indianfolklore.org |isbn=978-81-901481-4-6 |pages=69 |language=en}}</ref> in which "sanā" ({{langx|mni|ꯁꯅꯥ}}) means [[gold]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Meaning of "Sanā") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%81%EA%AF%85%EA%AF%A5&searchhws=yes |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[ University of Chicago]]}}</ref> and "thong" ({{langx|mni|ꯊꯣꯡ}}) means [[door]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=H. Surmangol |date=2006 |title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary (Meaning of "Thong") |url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=Door+%EA%AF%8A%EA%AF%A3%EA%AF%A1&matchtype=default |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=dsal.uchicago.edu |publisher=[[ University of Chicago]]}}</ref>
== Developments ==
=== LED display board ===
During June 2019, [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]], the [[Chief Minister of Manipur]], launched an [[LED]] [[display board]] at the Kangla Western Gate. Operated by the ''"Leibak Information Technology Pvt Ltd, Khurai Thoidingjam Leikai"'', the LED board displays advertisements and information about the [[Kangla]] and other news.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Samom |first=Sobhapati |date=2019-06-26 |title=Manipur chief minister leads mass plantation drive at Kangla Fort |url=http://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur-chief-minister-leads-mass-plantation-drive-at-kangla-fort.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=NORTHEAST NOW |language=en-US |quote=N Biren Singh also launched an LED display board run by Leibak Information Technology Pvt Ltd, Khurai Thoidingjam Leikai at the western gate of Kangla. The LED board will display advertisement and information related to Kangla and other information including news.}}</ref>
=== Statue of King Nara Singh ===
{{Main|Statue of Meidingu Nara Singh}}
On 15 June 2022, the [[Government of Manipur]], led by Chief Minister [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]], unveiled the [[bronze]] [[statue of Meidingu Nara Singh]], built at the Kangla western entrance gate in [[Imphal]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharaja Narasingh's bronze statue unveiled: 29th aug14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=16..290814.aug14 |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Manipur CM unveils statue of King Narasingh |work=uniindia.com |url=http://www.uniindia.com/news/east/development-manipur-king-narasingh/2758472.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-15 |title=Meidingu Narasingh statue unvieled |work=Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2022/06/15/meidingu-narasingh-statue-unvieled/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Inaugurated a statue of the then king of Manipur, Nara Singh at Kangla |url=https://www.citizenradio.in/2022/06/inaugurated-statue-of-then-king-of.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Citizen Radio Manipur}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CM inaugurates Andro infrastructure, unveils Narasingh's statue: 16th jun22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=6..160622.jun22 |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Replicas ==
During June 2017, the [[Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya]] (IGRMS) of [[Bhopal]] built a [[replica]] of the Kangla Gate. To revitalise the vanishing but valuable cultural traditions, the IGRMS museum added the "Kangla Gate" in the entrance gate of the Open-air Exhibition Tribal Habitat of the museum. The grand Kangla Gate in IGRMS was crafted by a group of seven traditional artisans from [[Manipur]] led by Ibomcha Meitei.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pioneer |first=The |title=Kangla Gate of Manipur being built at IGRMS |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2017/state-editions/kangla-gate-of-manipur-being-built-at-igrms.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=[[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]] |language=en}}</ref>
According to ''"[[The Free Press Journal]]"'', the number of traditional artisans was fifteen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bhopal: Manipuri 'Kangla Gate' coming up at IGRMS |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-manipuri-kangla-gate-coming-up-at-igrms |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=[[Free Press Journal]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Exhibition ==
During October 2021, a model of the Kangla Sanathong (Royal Kangla Gate) was exhibited in the 72nd online exhibition series of the [[Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya]] (IGRMS). Kept in the Tribal Habitat Open Air Exhibition of the IGRMS museum, it was displayed online with the informative descriptions including photographs and videos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pioneer |first=The |title=IGRMS exhibits Royal Kangla Gate 'Kangla Sanathong' in 72nd online exhibition series |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/state-editions/igrms-exhibits-royal-kangla-gate----kangla-sanathong----in-72nd-online-exhibition-series.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=[[The Pioneer (India)|The Pioneer]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Flag off events ==
=== Night Plaza – Imphal Evenings ===
During October 2017, at the western Kangla Gate, [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]], the [[Chief Minister of Manipur]], opened the first evening of ''"Imphal Evenings"'', a [[Nightclub|night plaza]] in [[Imphal]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=KanglaOnline |title=Imphal comes alive to Night Plaza on first evening ! – KanglaOnline |date=3 October 2017 |url=http://kanglaonline.com/2017/10/imphal-comes-alive-to-night-plaza-on-first-evening/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Seven-nation tour ===
In August 2019, in the Western Kangla Gate, [[Karam Shyam]], the ''Consumer Affairs Food And Public Distribution Minister'' of the [[Government of Manipur]], flagged off the international cycling trek of ''Ji Ingobi Chongtham'', a 21 year old cyclist of [[Manipur]], for his 220-day seven-nation tour of different [[South Asia]]n countries, including [[Myanmar]], [[Thailand]], [[Malaysia]], [[Cambodia]], [[Laos]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Singapore]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipur cyclist on seven-nation tour |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/manipur-cyclist-on-seven-nation-tour/cid/1695779 |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=www.telegraphindia.com |publisher=[[Telegraph India]]}}</ref>
=== E-Rickshaw roadshow ===
On 19 June 2022, [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]], the [[Chief Minister of Manipur]], flagged off an [[Electric rickshaw|E-Rickshaw]] roadshow at Western Gate of Kangla in [[Imphal]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-20 |title=Manipur CM N Biren Singh Flagged off an E-Rickshaw Roadshow at Western Gate of Kangla in ... |website=LatestLY |url=https://www.latestly.com/socially/india/news/manipur-cm-n-biren-singh-flagged-off-an-e-rickshaw-roadshow-at-western-gate-of-kangla-in-latest-tweet-by-ani-3847002.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Relief Assistance & Disaster Response Team ===
On 27 June 2022, at the Kangla gate, [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]], the [[Chief Minister of Manipur]], flagged off the ''"Relief Assistance & Disaster Response Team"'' for the flood-affected people of [[Assam]]. Along with the relief materials consisting of 135 quintals of [[rice]], 102 bags of [[dal]], 120 bags of [[salt]], 120 boxes of [[mustard oil]], 40 personnels of ''State Disaster Response Force'' (SDRF) were also sent for rescue operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipur CM Flags-Off Relief Assistance & Disaster Response Team For Flood-Hit Assam – Northeast Today |date=27 June 2022 |url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/2022/06/27/manipur-cm-flags-off-relief-assistance-disaster-response-team-for-flood-hit-assam/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Social and religious functions ==
=== Interfaith prayer event ===
On 7 June 2021, at the Western Kangla Gate, an interfaith prayer event was organised under the supervision of [[Nongthombam Biren Singh]], the [[Chief Minister of Manipur]], to attain divine healings and protections from [[COVID-19]] in [[Manipur]].
The prayer event was participated by the representatives from [[Sanamahism]] (''Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board''), [[Christianity]] (''Archbishop Most Rev. Dominic Lumon'', ''All Manipur Christian Organisation''), [[Hinduism]] (''priests from [[Shree Shree Govindajee Temple]] Board''), [[Islam]] (''Jamiat-Ul-Ulema''), [[Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak]], [[Sikhism]] (''Giani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee''), [[Jainism]] (''Shree Digambar Jain Samaj'') and [[Kabui|Kabui religion]] (''Kabui Poupei Chapriak Fom'').<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ajit |first=Sh |title=Interfaith prayer to heal from Covid-19 held at Kangla Gate - Imphal Times |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/20616-interfaith-prayer-to-heal-from-covid-19-held-at-kangla-gate |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=www.imphaltimes.com |date=7 June 2021 |publisher= |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=THJ News |date=2021-06-07 |title=Interfaith prayer to heal from COVID-19 held at Kangla Gate |url=https://thehillsjournal.com/2021/06/07/interfaith-prayer-to-heal-from-covid-19-held-at-kangla-gate/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=The Hills Journal |language=en-US |archive-date=27 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927050535/https://thehillsjournal.com/2021/06/07/interfaith-prayer-to-heal-from-covid-19-held-at-kangla-gate/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Yaoshang torch lit up events ===
{{See|Yaoshang}}
{{Multiple image|perrow = 1|total_width = 300
| image1 = Visiting the Kangla Fort.jpg
| image2 = Manipur During the Yaosang or holi.jpg
| size = 280
| spacing = 1
| position = centre
| border = 0
| color = white
| caption1 = Meitei horse riders leading the way to light the torch for the sportive festival on the first day of [[Yaoshang]] during March, 2014
| caption2 = Meitei youths coming to the [[Kangla Fort]] to light the torch for opening the five-day sportive festival during [[Yaoshang]] during March, 2014
}}
During the heights of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in March 2022, the Department of Archaeology of the [[Government of Manipur]] allowed the opening of all the three entrance gates of the [[Kangla]], including the Kangla western gate. All the three grand doors were opened because of a large number of [[NGO]]s and clubs visiting the [[Kangla Fort]] to light torches for the [[Yaoshang]] festival. Five representative members of each association and organization were allowed to enter either of the three gates on 18 and 19 March 2022, from 7 am to 4 pm.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-15 |title=Kangla gates will open for Yaoshang sports to lit torch |work=Pothashang News |url=https://www.pothashang.in/2022/03/15/kangla-gates-will-open-for-yaoshang-sports-to-lit-torch/ |access-date=2022-09-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kangla gate entry |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/3/27/IMPHAL-Mar-26-Only-5-representatives-of-each-organisation-would-be-allowed-to-enter-Kangla-from-all-the-3-main-gates-on-March-28-and-29-from-7-am-to-4-pm-for-Yaoshang-torch-lighting-said-the-offic.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=www.thesangaiexpress.com |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Statue of Meidingu Nara Singh]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commonscat|Kangla Gate}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meitei architecture]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Imphal]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials to Meitei royalty]]
[[Category:Public art in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Manipur]]

Kangla Sanathong - Revision history

Md Rifat at 03:30, 21 March 2026