Matua Mahasangha
Religious movement in Indian subcontinent / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matua Mahasangha (Bengali: মতুয়া মহাসংঘ)[1] is a religious reformation movement that originated, around 1860 AD, in modern-day Bangladesh, with a considerable number of adherents both in Bangladesh and in West Bengal of India. Matua is a sect of depressed class AVARNA Bengali Hindus who are Namasudras, a Scheduled Caste group of Bengal. 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 Commandments. 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.[2]
Total population | |
---|---|
c. 50 millions | |
Founder | |
Harichand Thakur | |
Religions | |
Hinduism | |
Languages | |
Sacred Bengali and Sanskrit Holy Book Harililamrito_Adi-Rigvedi Majority Bengali | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Avarna Namaswej |
Matua-mahasangha believe in Swayam-Dikshiti ("Self-Realisation") through the chanting of Harinaam, i.e., chanting the Holy name of God Hari. Harichand stressed the congressional chanting of Lord's name kirtan as the sole means to Mukti. His followers in 19th century were enchanted by congregational chanting of Lord Hari, which in Bengali called hariname matoara giving the sect current name 'Matua'. So anyone who has faith in the Darshan or Philosophy of God Harichand belongs to the Matua-mahasangha.[relevant?]