This piece of information taken from web site of Maheshwari Meghwars is stunning. It is clear from the following paragraphs that Meghvansh, since centuries, existed in Bihar and Megh brothers and sisters in various parts of India are struggling against same social hardships though they have been given different names and religions. It is pleasant to note that Maheshwari Meghwars have a religion of their own. It goes like this:
General History
“Maheshpanthi” is a term used for collective identification of lakhs of followers of a unique religion called “Baarmati-Panth” founded by the venerable Matang Dev. The followers of “Baarmati Panth” are spread all over India but its presence is most visible in the districts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Amreli, Bhavnagar in Gujarat (India) and Sindh (now in Pakistan) apart from other Indian States like Maharashtra, Bihar, M.P., etc.
It is believed that the revered Matang Dev founded his religion sometime around 900-1000 years ago in the parts of Kutch and Sindh. He was born to Jasde-Devi and Matra-Rakh at village Mandna in Bihar (India) on the banks of holy Gangas. He migrated from Bihar to Kutch/Saurashtra/Sindh region at his youth and united the people amongst the various untouchable & tribal castes, who until then had been debarred from professing Hindu Religion due to religious ban coerced by the high-caste Brahmins. In local terminology, these untouchables and tribals were called “Jhankhriyas” and “Simbhriyas” respectively. These neglected people staying across the Kutch-Sindh region, embraced the religion founded by Matang Dev, based on liberty, equality and fraternity. The first 12 sub-castes who embraced “Baarmati Panth” comprise of
(i) Kannar, Nangsipotra, Roshiya
(ii) Chande, Aediya, Sondhra
(iii) Fofal, Danicha, Bhoiya and
(iv) Dhua, Jod, Loiya and collectively being called Maheshwari. Teachings of Lord Matang Dev were so revered that even the warrior class of Kutch i.e ‘Jadejas’ accepted him as their sole Master (Priest).
History reveals that Matang Dev acquired martyrdom alongwith “Abda-Adbhang” (Princely King of Kutch) while fighting with “Haiderkhan Pastan” (a Pathan warrior from Western India) in the Great Rann of Kutch, for protecting the motherland from violent massacre and ransacking. Eventually, his Son “Lunang Dev” fought a very brave battle and killed Haiderkhan. Body of Lord Matang Dev was buried at the outskirts of ‘Seni’ near Badin-Sindh (now in Pakistan), which is the foremost pilgrimage place for all Maheshwaris.
Subsequently, “Lunag Dev” continued the legacy of his father Lord Matang Dev with absolute integrity and devotion. Lunag Dev is being worshiped as the highly spiritual deity of all Maheshwaris. His body is buried at “Tharai” (Sindh-Pakistan).
Similarly, his son “Maatai Dev” carried on the established legacy of “Baarmati-Panth”. He played a very prominent role in the formation of Princely dynasty of Jadeja clan (a warrior 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 penultimate power had been reserved only for the high caste Brahmins. This supreme exclusive power of coronation is still in existence from one generation to other particularly in the Kutch region. After his heavenly abode, he was buried at Bhadra-Sindh (now in Pakistan).
Now, the duty of preaching the tenets of Baarmati-Panth hierarchically came onto the shoulders of Lord Maamai Dev, son of Lord Maatai Dev. Being the 4th generation of Lord Matang Dev, he acquired ample knowledge gathered over the years by his ancestors. Maamai Dev was admired by all. He got the special ability to preach the tenets of religion in a more lucid manner understandable to all. Many Princely Kings of Kutch, Junagadh, Jamnagar used to venerate him and give highest regard. 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. in the form of stanzas. He possessed divinity and uttered more than 9,99,000 words and forecasted the future of world in a more authentic manner called ‘Agamwani’ in local parlance. Most of his prophesies, which rendered due maturity, have been proven true without any slightest of doubt. 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 Maamai Dev with complete wisdom and faith. His prophesies are undoubtedly more natural and authentic from others. It is pity that the scholars from the rest of the world are still unaware about this great Master, as his work and religion was kept secret due to historical reasons. He was such a visionary Religious Master as he realized that after his death, nobody would be able to restrain the sanctity of the post of Religious Master. As such, he terminated the hierarchical practice of becoming Religious Master by birth. Instead, he advocated that after his death, only the ‘Baarmati-Panth’ would be regarded as the supreme state of religious affairs. Thus, he was a man of sheer wisdom and valor. After he left for heavenly abode, he was buried at Makli-Sindh (now in Pakistan). Thereafter, his six sons namely,
(i) Matiya, (ii) Lalan, (iii) Bhagwant, (iv) Meghanand, (v) Maade and (vi) Merchant and their descendents, collectively called “Matangs”, are performing all rites and rituals of the religion but the highest obeisance is being given to ‘Baarmati-Panth’.
Pilgrimage Places:
1. Char-Dham:
(i) ‘Seni’- Dhanimatang Dev, near Badin (now in Sindh-Pakistan).
(ii) ‘Tharai’- Lunang Dev, near Tharai (now in Sindh-Pakistan).
(iii) ‘Bhadra’- Maatai Dev, near Haji savan (now in Sindh-Pakistan).
(iii) ‘Makli’- Mamai Dev, at Makli (now in Sindh-Pakistan).
2. Chandrua Dham: Situated on the hill/mountain at Lakhond Village (Bhuj-Kutch).
3. Bagthada Dham: Anjar (Kutch) near Jaisal-Toral Temple.
4. Matang Rai : Varsamedi village in Taluka Anjar (Kutch).
5. Trei-Jaar: Situated at the Bank of Pur River, Raydhanpar village, Bhuj (Kutch)
6. Karumbha Hills: Situated on the hills (Kadamgiri) of Palitana (Gujarat-India).
7. Luni Dham: Situated in village Luni at Mundra (Kutch).
8. Gudthar Matiya: Situated in village Gudthar at Abdasa (Kutch).
9. Bhojara Matiya: Situated at Mundra (Kutch).
10. Valsara Matiya: Situated at Mandvi (Kutch).
11. Ghebi Matiya: Situated near Vinjaan Village, Naliya (Kutch).
12. Gadh-Ghomli: Situated at Bhanwad in Jamnagar District (Gujarat-India)
Efforts are on hand to transcribe the history of Baarmati-Panth and prophesy of Maamai Dev in a comprehensive manner.
Other links from this blog
Meghvansh 