Sevalal Maharaj

Sevalal Maharaj (15 February 1739 – 4 December 1806) was an Indian socio-religious reformer and community leader. He is revered by the Gor Banjara community as a guru.

Shri Sant Sevalal Maharaj
Born	Seva Bhima Naik (1739-02-15)15 February 1739 Surgondankoppa, Shivamogga district, Karnataka, India[1]
Died	4 December 1806(1806-12-04) (aged 67) Ruhigarh, Yavatmal district, Maharashtra, India
Resting place	Poharadevi, Washim district, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Social reformer (बंजारा समाज दैवत)
Parents	Shri Bheema Naik (father) Dharmani Yadi Bheema Naik (mother)
Relatives	1) Shri Badu Bheema Naik (Brother), 2) Shri Hapa Bheema Naik (Brother), 3) Shri Pura Bheema Naik (Brother).

Early life

Guru Sevalal Maharaj was born to Bheema Naik Ramavat (father) and Dharamani Mata Bheema Naik Ramavat (mother) in the 18th century. He died at Ruhigarh (Yavatmal District) and was buried at Poharadevi in Washim district, now in the state of Maharashtra.

Legacy

His samadhi stands adjacent to a temple dedicated to goddess Jagadamba devi in Pharadevi. Although he was opposed to personality cults and rituals, it is a popular destination for Banjaras.

Similar temples dedicated to Sevalal and to Jagdamba exist elsewhere and also attract worshipers in significant numbers.^[2]

Folk songs praising Sevalal are popular during Banjara festivities.^[2] Every Banjara/Gor/Lambadi village or hamlet has a temple for Sri Sevalal Guru. Banjara hoist a pink or red flag for the jagadamba and white colour for him at spiritual sites in every village as a show of spiritual reverence and community dignity.

Maharaj had 3 siblings: Shri Badu Bhima Naik Ramavat (Rathod), Shri Happa Bhima Naik Ramavat (Rathod), and Shri Pura Bhima Naik Ramavat (Rathod).

• Sant Pura Bhima Naik Rathod, Next Sant Danshur Babnalal Pura Naik Rathod, Next Kasandas Babanlal Naik Rathod, Next 1) Shivdatt Kasandas Naik Rathod, 2) Bramhadatt Kasandas Naik Rathod, 3) Ambadas Kasandas Naik Rathod, 4) Durgadas Kasandas Naik Rathod, 5) Arun Kasandas Naik Rathod, 6) Arvind Kasandas Naik Rathod,
• Shivdatt Kasandas Naik Rathod, Next......
• Bramhadatt Kasandas Naik Rathod, Next 1) Shri Mahant Devendra Ji Bramhadatt Naik Rathod, 2) Shri Mahant Jitendra Ji Bramhadatt Naik Rathod.
• Ambadas Kasandas Naik Rathod, Next 1) Ravindra Ambadas Naik Rathod, 2) Rajendra Ambadas Naik Rathod, 3) Sudhir Ambadas Naik Rathod.
• Durgadas Kasandas Naik Rathod, Next 1) Anil Durgadas Naik Rathod, 2) Shri Mahant Sunil Ji Durgadas Naik Rathod
• Arun Kasandas Naik Rathod, Next 1) Rajesh Arun Naik Rathod
• Arvind Kasandas Naik Rathod, Next sachin Arvind Naik Rathod

The names of the descendants of Sevalal Maharaj's brother are: Mahant Shri Babusingh Ji Maharaj (Rathod) Poharagad, Mahant Shri Kabirdas Ji Maharaj (Rathod) Poharagad, Mahant Shri Sunil Ji Maharaj (Rathod) Poharagad, Mahant Shri Jitendra Ji Maharaj (Rathod) Poharagad, Mahant Shri Yashwant Ji Maharaj (Rathod) Umarigad, Mahant Shri Shekhar Ji Maharaj (Rathod) Poharagad

Banjara Virasat Museum

The Banjara Virasat Museum, located in Poharadevi, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of the Banjara community. The museum features a 150-foot Sevadhwaj with an equestrian statue of Sant Sevalal Maharaj, daily light and music laser shows, and thirteen galleries of historical exhibits. It aims to establish Poharadevi as a cultural and religious destination.

Preachings

• Serve the community as one does one's own family.
• Do not discriminate against anyone on any grounds.
• Worship nature and do not detach from nature.
• Plant trees and protect trees and animals. Do not sell animals to butchers. Respect women.
• Girls/daughters must be treated as Goddesses.
• Do not practice violence.
• Do not tell lies even at the cost of one's own life; do not talk ill about others.
• Do not steal other's belongings.
• Protect the community language (Goar Boli) and costumes.
• Respect all elders and love all younger ones.
• Fight against the dowry.
• Avoid being greedy, lustful, and self-interested.
• Seek knowledge, always be an obedient student and a rigorous learner.
• Help the weak and needy people.
• Give water to the thirsty, and never sell water.
• Protect the identity of community (be a Gor and not a Kor).
• Get liberation from ignorance, poverty and superstitions.
• Do not kill animals.
• Do not stay away from the Forest Area. Stay away from mainstream towns and cities.
• Maintain cleanliness.
• Worship Satibhavani.