By Subrata Mukherjee
In love with Golapi, Subratagolapi
Matua Mahasangha is a religious reformation movement that originated in the 19th century in modern day Bangladesh. That mahasangha or the congratulation of the people in large numbers both in Bangladesh and in West Bengal of India formed a large group of cultural and religious unity.
Matua is a sect or a group of depressed class Hindus who are Namasudras or down trodden and a Scheduled Caste group. This movement of resurrection from the state of oppression and exploitation was launched by Sri Harichand Thakur.
Sri Harichand Thakur attained ‘atmadarshan’ or self attainment of salvation at an early age and subsequently preached his ‘Darshan’ or philophical guidelines for His disciples and the followers in Twelve Commandments.
The teachings of Sri Harichand Thakur established a platform for the people of poor and downtrodden class to receive education and proper philosophical ideas to live as complete human beings.
The New World (Natun Prithibi)
The pioneer of this movement Sri Harichand Thakur was born on 30th March 1812 and He left this earth towards heavenly abode on 5th March 1878. Sri Harichand Thakur took the front line role to uplift the morale of those poor and downtrodden and worked among the untouchable people of Bengal and became an icon for the social movement for the causes of poor and untouchables and formed the Matua sect of Hindus.
Matua mahasangha believes in ‘Swayam Dikshiti’ or 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 ‘ or ‘Moksha’ or salvation. He guided His followers to take the path of truth and purity defying the greed and sensual pleasures. He led the congregation enchanting the name of Lord Hari which earned the name called ‘hariname matuara’ or involved in the name of Lord Hari and subsequently that passed through the followers and gave the sect the current name ‘Matua’.
Thus, whoever has faith in the ‘Darshan’ or Philosophy of God Harichand belongs to the Matua mahasangha and the follower of Sri Harichand Thakur!
The New World (Natun Prithibi)
…..to be continued.
©️ Subratagolapi
The New World(Natun Prithibi) 