Maheshpanthi Maheshwari Samaj » Matai

Lord Matai Dev

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:23:09 +0000

Lord Matai Dev was born to ‘Punvat Devi’ and Ludangdev. Like his forefathers, he was also a sacred learned man having knowledge of all branches of studies including medicine. He continued the legacy of Baarmati-Panth with same zeal and enthusiasm. He played a very prominent role in the formation of Princely dynasty of Jadeja clan (a worrier class of Indian Kshatriyas) in the Kutch-Sindh region. His orders were obeyed by all Jadejas as a call of God. The supreme religious power of ordaining someone as King was conferred upon to Lord Maatai-Dev. This indeed was a historical phenomenon in India, as this prestigious supreme power of ordainment was reserved only for the high caste Brahmins. He had also performed 12 years rigorous meditation (tap) at Matangrai (Anjar). After his heavenly abode, his body is buried at Bhadra-Sindh (now in Pakistan).

Lord Mamai Dev

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:15:18 +0000

Lord Mamai Dev was born to Lord Matai Dev and his mother’s name is ‘Reenade’. Being the fourth generation of Lord Matang-Dev, he acquired ample knowledge of religious discourses sermonized by Lord Matangdev, Ludangdev and Mataidev. He brought transformation in Barmati Panth by sermonizing Genan in a local language making it understandable to all. He narrated the tenets and precepts of Baarmati-Panth in a more innovative way. He created unique ragas (classical form of singing) conducive to routine time-table and occasion i.e. Noda, Vagat, Umaro, etc. He possessed divinity and uttered more than 9,99,000/- words and forecasted prophesies (Agamwani) in an authentic manner. Most of his prophesies, which rendered due maturity, have materialized. Many of his prophesies are awaiting the events to happen as their time is still not ripe.

He has forecasted the things in a more scientific manner. All Maheshwaris lays supreme belief in the teachings of Lord Mamai Dev with complete faith. He was a visionary religious preacher and realized that after his death, nobody would be able to restrain the sanctitude of the post of Religious teacher. As such, he terminated the hierarchical practice of becoming Religious teacher by birth. Instead, he advocated that after his death, only the ‘Barmati-Panth’ would be regarded as the supreme state of religious affairs. He had six sons namely, Matiyadev, Bhagwant, Lalan, Meghanand, Maade, and Merchant and two daughters namely, Papai and paadhan. He left for heavenly abode and was buried at Makli-Sindh (now in Pakistan).

The Shrines of Maheshwari Meghwar Saints in Sindh

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:26:35 +0000

The Four Shrines of Maheshwari Meghwar Saints in Sindh belong to the Bar Mati Panth, which was initiated by Shree Dhanee Matang Dev in the 11th Century A.D. through preaching in Sindh and Kutch including some parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan. His descendant Shree Lurang Dev, Shree Matai Dev and Shree Mamai Dev extended the sacred cause to uplift the low caste people. Their shrines are now located in the Southern part of Sindh, that are visited as centers of pilgrimages by the Maheshwari Meghwar followers. This introductory paper will contribute information on the historical background of Shrines in the context of the Panth. The simplicity of the shrines and the heavily performed pilgrimage rituals thereon are dominated by the complex methodology and symbolism of the Panth that still preserve the original identity of these shrines.

Original source provided by:
Mohan Devraj THONTYA (Karachi University)

About him
Mohan Devraj THONTYA is currently studying in Mphill/PhD in the Department of General History, University of Karachi working on the subject Thesis: History and Culture of Meghwars: From the earliest times to the modern age under the supervision of Prof Dr Javed Husain. He has published several papers, including “Sammatri” in “Karachi” published by Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Chair, University of Karachi, in November,2000. Mohan Devraj Thontya did extensive fieldwork for collecting hundreds of manuscripts from the Maheshwari Meghwars tradition. Thanks to his mastery of many languages, he is preparing a translation in English of the most important pieces.