Ahom religion

The people who came into Assam included two clans of priests, joined later by a third, who brought with them their own religion, rituals, practices and scriptures.

[7] Ancestor worship and the animistic concept of khwan are two elements it shares with other Tai folk religions.

Pha Tu Ching— which is an omnipotent shapeless, impersonal god almighty[25]—opened his eyes to the void and thus created from his breast the first deity—Khun Theu Kham.

Freshly created, and finding nothing to lean on, Khun Theu Kham dove into the water and then laid on his back, and a lotus plant issued from his navel.

Heaven in Ahom religion denotes Tien, a part of Yunnan in Southwest China[26] known as Mong Phi.

Pha Tu Ching also created a consort for Khun Theu Kham, and Lon Kām (four golden eggs) were born to them.

So he sprinkled ambrosia (Nya Pulok) on them and four gods emerged: (1) Pha-Sang-Din-kham-Neyeu, (2) Seng-Cha-Cha-Kham, (3) Seng-Kam-Pha, and (4) Ngi-Ngao-Kham (also called Phu-ra).

According to Ahom beliefs, the supreme, formless, omnipotent being is Pha Tu Ching, who is the creator, sustainer and destroyer of everything.

The Ahom pantheon of gods that generally receive oblations are Lengdon, Khao Kham, Ai Leng Din, Jan Chai Hung, Jasing Pha, Chit Lam Cham, Mut-Kum Tai Kum, Ra-Khin, Ba-Khin and Chao Phi Dam.

[30] It used to be housed in the royal seat, till Suklenmung (1539–1552) moved it away and it played a prominent role during Singarigharutha ceremony.

The rituals begin with the creation of a temporary structure with bamboo and thatch octagonal in shape, called ho phi.

In it six raised platters on the main platform are placed for the following divinities: Jashing Pha, Jan Chai Hung, Lengdon, Chit Lam Cham, Mut-Kum Tai-Kum, Chao Phi Dam.

The Rik Kwan is an important part of the Tai-Ahom marriage system described in the old Tai script Lai Lit Nang Hoon Pha.

Poi cheng ken is a traditional spring festival celebrated in the Ahom month of Duin-Ha, which is part of the Sexagenary cycle.

[43] The festival is marked by activities like washing, especially bathing household cattle, honoring ancestors, and worshiping the insignia Chum Pha Rueng Sheng Mueang.

[46] Ahom religion is primarily based on worshiping Deities called Phi and Dam (Ancestor Spirit).

Ancestor worship and the animistic concept of khwan are two elements it shares with other Tai folk religions.