Matua Mahasangha

Matua Mahasangha or MMS is a religious reformation movement that originated, around 1860 AD, in what is today Bangladesh, with a considerable number of adherents both in Bangladesh as well as in West Bengal in India. Matua is a sect of folk Hinduism without chaturvarna system . The movement was launched as a reformation by the followers of Harichand Thakur. Thakur attained atmadarshan at an early age and would subsequently preach his Darshan in Twelve Directives. The teachings of Thakur establish education as preeminently important for the adherent and the upliftment of the population the adherent's duty, while also providing a formula for ending social conflict.

Matua-mahasangha believe in Swayam-Dikshiti ("Self-Realisation"). So anyone who has faith in the Darshan or Philosophy of God Harichand belongs to the Matua-mahasanhga.

After Partition in 1947, many of the Matua migrated to West Bengal in India.

History

Harichand Thakur was born to a peasant family belonging to the Namahśūdras community. According to historian Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, Thakur "experienced atma darshan or self revelation, and the followers believe that he is the incarnation of God himself, born in this world to bring salvation to the downtrodden".[1] He established the Matua sect of Vaishnavite Hinduism.[1]

The Matua Mahasangha movement was launched as a reformation by the followers of Harichand Thakur.

Organisations

Initially the Matua-mahasangha followers or "matuas" formed an organisation in Orakandi, Faridpur, Bengal Presidency (now in Bangladesh). After 1947, followers formed a second organisation in Thakurnagar, West Bengal, India. At first, it was very difficult to form the temple. The temple was initially looked after by Thakur's family, but as of 2011 it was managed by a trustee chosen by the followers.

Followers may be found throughout India and Bangladesh. In some locations they have established worshipping places. In the beginning Matua-mahasangha followed simplified rituals, but later adopted Vaishnavism.

See also

References
  1. Bandyopadhyay, Sekhar (1995). "The Matua Sect and the Namahśūdras". In Ray, Rajat Kanta (ed.). Mind Body and Society: Life and Mentality in Colonial Bengal. Oxford University Press. p. 163. ISBN 019-563757-7.

Further reading
  • Matua Dharma Darshan (in Bengali), Thakurnagar, 1393 B.S. p-47: Paramananda Halder
  • Sekhar Bandyopadhyay: Popular religion and social mobility : The Matua sect and the Namahśūdras in R.K.Ray (ed) Mind Body and Society, Life and Mentality in colonial Bengal ( Calcutta) 1995
  • Hitesh Ranjan Sanyal: Social Mobility in Bengal, Calcutta,1985
  • Adal Badal (Bengali Monthly) June–July,1995 No IV and V
  • Namahśūdras Movements in Bengal (1872–1947), R.K.Biswas, ISBN 81-88006-19-X, 2010, Progressive Book Forum, Kolkata
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