Temples and Darbars of Madeji Town of Sindh

0
33
temples-and-darbars-of-shikarpur-s-madeji-1728642069-4815
Baba Hari Ram Darbar in Madeji

The temples and darbars of Madeji hold significant religious importance for the community.

  • They reflect the cultural heritage within the dynamic Shikarpur district and thus highlight the district’s rich religious diversity.
  • Previously, several wooden doors in temples and darbars in Garhi Yasin depicted Hindu deities and Sikh Gurus – but most were removed during renovations and expansions
Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro

Madeji, a small town in the Garhi Yasin taluka of Shikarpur, is famous for its Hindu temples and darbars. There are about six temples and darbars in Madeji, each with its own unique history and significance. In the Shahi Bazaar, the Sant Baba Jairam Das Udasi Darbar is believed to have been built before the partition. Sant Baba Jairam Das was an eminent Udasi saint. The darbar has been renovated now.

temples-and-darbars-of-shikarpur-s-madeji-1728642069-6434
Sant Baba Jairam Das Udasi

As one enters the spacious courtyard, one notices the carved images of Baba Guru Nanak and his son Baba Sri Chand, on the main doorway. It is rare to see such carved images on wooden doors in the Garhi Yashin taluka. Previously, several wooden doors in temples and darbars in Garhi Yasin depicted Hindu deities and Sikh Gurus. However, most doors were removed during renovations and expansions. Nevertheless, one can still see a carved image of Baba Guru Nanak with his companions Bhai Bala and Bhai Mardana on the wooden door of Sheva Das Darbar in Garhi Yasin town.

Another important detail at the main entrance is the name of the Darbar, written as “Udasi Sant Baba Jairam Das Darbar Madeji,” with the year 2003 inscribed on the gateway’s facade. It seems that 2003 marks the year of the Darbar’s renovation, not its construction. As one enters, one will notice a Shiva lingam on the left. While entering the Darbar room, one notices the Takhat (throne) on which Guru Granth Sahib is placed. To the right of Takhat Sahib, five alcoves on the wall display pictures of Baba Guru Nanak, Sikh and Hindu saints. The first alcove has a picture of Baba Guru Nanak, the second has Sant Baba Mayya Das, the third has Sant Baba Jairam Das, the fourth has Sant Baba Shiv Bhajan, and the fifth has Baba Gobind Ram.

Kali Mata and Pooj Samadha Dham are two newly built temples in Madeji’s Hindu Mohalla. While entering the Kali Mata temple complex, one notices Shiva lingam and Akhand Jyot of Julelal in a room

temples-and-darbars-of-shikarpur-s-madeji-1728642069-6640
Image of Sant Satramdas in Sain Sacho Satramdas Devri in Madeji

Sant Baba Mayya Das was a Udasi saint and the 10th Gadisar of Udasin Ji Darbar or Mandir, which was founded by Chetandas Udasi in the 18th century. Now, this darbar is named after its 9th Gadisar Sant Jamnadas. The Jamnadas Darbar is located in Nauhahro Feroz’s Shahi Bazaar. Baba Shiva Bhajan was also an Udasi saint and 6th Gadisar of Pooj Udasin Samadha Ashram in Shikarpur. Sant Baba Gobind Ram (d 2003) was the 8th Gadisar of the Shadani Darbar, which was founded by Sant Shadaram (d 1793) in Ghokti’s Hayat Pitafi village.

After Sant Baba Jairam Das’s death, Sant Baba Teerath Das became the Gadisar (custodian) of the darbar and migrated to Kanpur, India, where he lived most of his life. He originally hailed from Madeji town. Baba Haridas is the current custodian of the Sant Baba Jairam Das Darbar and resides in Kanpur. There is also a branch of the Sant Baba Jairam Das Darbar in Kanpur, India. The Sant Baba Jairam Das Darbar in Madeji is now maintained by the previous Mukhi Sunder Das under the supervision of the Hindu Panchayat Madeji. Different festivals and ceremonies are performed in this darbar.

temples-and-darbars-of-shikarpur-s-madeji-1728642069-7763
Bhai Mehro Darbar in Madeji

Apart from Sant Baba Jairam Das Darbar, Baba Hari Ram Darbar is another old religious place in Madeji town. It is located in the old town committee area of Madeji. Udasi saint Baba Hari Ram founded this darbar. One enters through the gate to the spacious courtyard that leads to the main Darbar hall. The Darbar hall has a Takhat sahib on which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed. To the right of the Takht sahib are seven alcoves on the wall that show pictures of Hindu deities, Sikh Gurus and saints. In the first alcove, there is a depiction of Baba Guru Nanak; the second features Guru Gobind Singh; the third showcases Sant Satramdas; the fourth contains the image of Sant Hari Ram (after whom this darbar is named), the fifth displays Shiva, the sixth presents Durga, and the seventh exhibits Baba Roop Bhajan.

Above the alcoves are depictions of Sikh Gurus, Hindu deities, and saints. Positioned on the step of the Takhat Sahib is a portrayal of the Udasi saints of Pooj Udasin Samadha Ashram in Shikarpur. Also, the image of Sain Vasan Shah, whose darbar is situated in Rohri overlooking the Indus River, is displayed on the Takhat Sahib. Adjacent to the Takhat Sahib, a poster featuring Baba Ram Das, the present Gadisar of Jamnadas Darbar in Naushero Feroze, is exhibited.

temples-and-darbars-of-shikarpur-s-madeji-1728642069-9545
Raja Veer Temple in Madeji

After the death of Sant Baba Hari Ram, Hari Ram, another Udasi saint with the same name, became the Gadisar of Darbar. He was succeeded by Fakkar Das. Fakkar Das was succeeded by Manglo. After the death of Manglo, another Hari Ram from Shikarpur city became shivadar of this darbar. Today, Hari Ram Darbar is managed by the Hindu Panchayat of Madeji.

Bhai Mehro is another historically significant darbar on the same street as Baba Hari Ram Darbar. Although limited information is available about Bhai Mehro, it is known for its simple yet tranquil ambience, with a majestic pipal tree gracing its courtyard.

The main chamber of the darbar is adorned with posters of Hindu deities and saints, and Sikh Gurus and saints, creating a rich and serene atmosphere that invites deep contemplation and spiritual reflection for all the devotees and followers.

temples-and-darbars-of-shikarpur-s-madeji-1728642069-1602
Image of Jhulelal in Raja Veer temple in Madeji

Apart from Bhai Mehro Darbar, another pre-partition old religious place for Hindus of Madeji town is the temple of Raja Veer, which is located in Adh Makani Mohalla adjacent to the Soomra Mohalla. According to Mukhi Satram Das, the temple of Raja Veer was initially a simple structure, subsequently undergoing reconstruction and expansion. Upon entering the temple, a prominent pipal tree is observed in the courtyard alongside a Shiva lingam.

Read: The Historic Pooj Udasin Samadha Ashram of Shikarpur Sindh

The main temple chamber contains the Bhagavad Gita and an Akhand Jyot of Jhulelal housed within a domed structure. To the right of the domed structure, there are five alcoves on the wall. These alcoves feature images of Sant Satramdas, Raja Veer Vikramajit, and Jhulelal, as well as pictures of Sikh Gurus, Hindu deities, and saints. An image of Sant Baba Mayya Das is also placed in one of the alcoves on a wall near the central doorway to the temple chamber.

temples-and-darbars-of-shikarpur-s-madeji-1728642069-6467
Pooj Samadha Dham in Madeji town

It’s worth noting that Jhulelal is depicted riding a horse, which is different from his more common portrayal, where he is shown seated or standing on a palla fish. The figure of Raja Veer, also known as Amir Pir, in the religious history of Sindh has not been thoroughly studied. The most famous place associated with him is the village of Aminani Sharif in Dadu. On the facade of the building is written “Amir Pir Rajal Veer.” The Astan of Amir Pir, located in Jhimpir, Thatta, overlooking the bank of Keenjhar Lake, is a most sacred place and is revered by the Ismailis of Sindh. Raja Veer Vikramajeet’s temples can also be found in other towns of Sindh, with the most impressive one located at Thano Ahmad Khan in Jamshoro.

Kali Mata and Pooj Samadha Dham are two newly built temples in Madeji’s Hindu Mohalla. While entering the Kali Mata temple complex, one notices Shiva lingam and Akhand Jyot of Julelal in a room. There is a hall in the temple where one can see an image of Kali Mata and Bhagavad Gita.

Read: Swami Shankaranand Bharti Temple of Shikarpur Sindh

Adjacent to the temple of Kali Mata is the devri of Sain Sacho Satramdas (SSD). An image of Sant Satramdas is placed in this Devri. The foundation of Sain Sacho Satramdas Devri was laid by Sain Sadh Ram, the Gadisar of Devri Sahib, also called Sant Satramdas Dham (SSD) in Ghotki’s Raherki village, on 9th April 1993. Different festivals and rituals are held in this temple complex.

In addition to the Kali Mata temple, there is another temple called Pooj Samadha Dham in the Hindu Mohalla of Madeji. The Pooj Samadha Dham was founded by the current Gadisar Swami Narain Bhajan of Pooj Udasin Samadha Ashram in Shikarpur on December 3, 2012. In the main hall of the Pooj Samadha Dham, Guru Granth Sahib and Bhagavad Gita are placed in the Takhat Sahib. Pictures of Baba Shiv Bhajan, Jhulelal, Baba Sri Chand, Baba Guru Nanak, Baba Roop Bhajan, Durga Mata, and Radha and Krishna are also placed on the Takhat sahib. On the left of Takhat Sahib, there are six alcoves on walls showing the images of Baba Sri Chand (the founder of Udasi Panth) and Udasi saints of Pooj Samadha Udasin Ashram in Shikarpur, including Baba Har Bhajan (the founder and first Gadisar of Pooj Udasin Samadha Ashram Shikarpur), Baba Ram Bhajan (2nd Gadisar), Roop Bhajan (3rd Gadisar), Baba Kishan Bhajan (4th Gadisar), Baba Gobind Bhajan (5th Gadisar) and Baba Shiv Bhajan (6th Gadisar). The image of Roop Bhajan is placed within a glass panel in an alcove.

The temples and darbars of Madeji hold significant religious importance for the community. They reflect the cultural heritage within the dynamic Shikarpur district and thus highlight the district’s rich religious diversity.

Read: Haven For The Elderly: Shikarpur’s Pre-Partition Budha Ashram

___________________

Dr Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro - Sindh CourierThe writer is an anthropologist. He has authored 16 books on Pakistan’s cultural heritage and anthropology. He tweets @kalhorozulfiqar

Courtesy: The Friday Times Lahore (Posted on October 11, 2024)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here