Forgotten Sikh Tribes and Sikh Religious Places

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Forgotten Sikh Tribes and Sikh Religious Places

Dr. Dalvinder Singh Grewal

Gudwara Majji Sahib (Manji Sahib) at Thimma Reddi Palle in Mddur Mandal in Mahbubnagar district in Telangana​

It is matter of great concern that Sikhs have not been preserving all of their religious monuments and places of religious impoirtance and have not been in touch with those people who have been earlier very close to the Gurus and Sikhism. One such place is Thimma Reddi Palle in Maddur Mandal in Mahbubnagar district in Telangana where 300 years old Majji Sahib Gurdwara commemorates the history of Sikhs in South India among Gior and Banjara Sikhs. Here main deities are Loka Masand, Linga Masand and Mai Bhago known locally as Kankali meaning Kali Mai. A masand was a representative, religious preacher, and dasvand ("the tenth" of income) collector in Sikhism. They were an officially appointed missionary minister representing the Sikh Guru, who baptized conversions to Sikhism, and collected dasvandh as an offering to the Sikh community and religious establishment. Loka Masand and Linga Masands were dedicatd masands of Guru Gobind Singh who were sent by Guru Gobind Singh from nanded to the south to preach Sikhism in South. They both settled in Thimma Reddi Palle in Mddur Mandal in Mahbubnagar district of Hyderbad state which was later known as Telangana state. Painting of Loka masand and Linga masands are worshipped in one gurdwara while painting of mak=I Bhago as Kali Mai is worshipped in another temple The Gors and Wanjaras gther regularly to commemorate the birth of Loka masand and other events related to Mai Bhago where devotees from Telengana, Karnatka, Andhra, Maharashtra and Punjab gather to celebrate the vents in large numbers. There are about 20 villages (Tandas) of Wanjaras and gors who arrange these functions with great pomp and show. On Loka Masand Maharaj janam ustav largest gathering of Goar/Banjaras in South India at Maji Sahib from 10-13 april each year when Goar and Wanjaras come to take blessings.

Loka Masand Linga Masand

Loka Masand was the religous minister and preacher at Hazur Sahib who was sent by Guru Gobind Singh to this area to preach Sikhism along with Linga Masand. Two Nishan Sahibs at Gurdwara comple are reminiscent of both these Masands and can be seen flying in the complex with Khanda mark. On the outside walls of Gurdwara, large paintings of the two Masands can be seen. These are also displayed in the sanctum sanctorum of one of the two Gurdwara. Loka Masand is shown sitting in the feet of Guru Gobind Singh and another with the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh.

Loka Masand with the blessing of Guru Gonind Singh Ji

Sant Loka Masand Maharaj (Loka Lal) is believed to be the contemporary of guru Gobind Singh. He accompnied Guru Gobind Singh Ji till 1708. Loka Masand ji was one of the trusted men of Guru Gobind Singh ji. It is said and believed that Guru Gobind Singh Ji blessed and said that Loka Masand’s name will be remembered for ever for his service o the humanity. The wishes of every devotee who visit his place will be fulfilled. This is believed by local people of come for fulfilling their wishes to the place. It is estimated that six lakh people pay visit to Majji Sahib Gurdwara on full moon day in the month AprilA five storied Palki which has paintings of Guru Gobind Singh and two Masands is taken around the villages on this days.

Painting of Loka Masand at the place of worship in Majji Sahib

Five storied Palki with painting of two Masands being taken around the village on special occasions

Following this a lunger (Kitchen) is prepared and all get together in Pangat to partake it together as per Sikh tradition. After these two Masands Sant Sewa Lal Maharaj looked after the Gurdwara complex. He was a very rich person who had 3755 bullocks and was a well-known Gaur whom even Nawab of Hyderabad acknowledged. Later also many masands acted as dedicated Sikhs and spread Sikhism. Some of them from Gor community who settled and made their tents for preaching for Dharma and fought against atrocities and oppression, established Majji (Manji) at different parts of the country. Out of them 8 are prominent Masands who have left legacy behind and settled in South India. They are. 1.Tepha Masand 2.Vuka Masand 3.Dharma Masand 4.Loka Masand 5.Linga Masand 6.Hema Masand 7.Hari Masand 8.Lachma Masand

Mai Bhago is famous in Sikh history as the leaders of 40 Muktas of Muktsar who was badly injured but got treated by Guru Gobind Singh. A Gurdwara commemorates her bravery by the side of the sarovar of Muktsar. Later she dedicated whole of her life in meditation and preaching Sikhism in South.

Route map to Maddur and to Thimma Reddi Palle Gurdwara

The place is about 2000 km from Punjab, 150 km from Hyderabad and 2 km from Maddur. To reach this place one can take train to Hyderabad followed by bus journey up to Maddur wherefrom one can take auto to the Gurdwara in Thimma Reddi Palle. These people have not been linked with SGPC, DGMC or Hazur Sahib Gurdwara Board as none of them have tried to explore them. A small video recorded by Bhagwan Singh Khoji is an eye opener for the Sikhs.

There is urgent need for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Hazur Sahib Management Committee to send researchers and Parcharaks teams to the place to preserved the place and make these Wanjaras aware of Sikhism and link them with the main Sikh stream.