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Veernath: A unique historical place of Sindh

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Veernath: A unique historical place of Sindh
Remains of an ancient place said to be last resting place of Veernath

It is possible that the village of Veernath became famous because of its proximity to the place of Veernath’s Marrhi. The followers of Veer Yogi Nath might have come and settled down here. Veernath’s place of yoga was later called Veernath and then Veeral.

Aziz Kingrani

The historical site of Veernath is located in Khairpur Nathan Shah Taluka, Dadu District, Sindh, about 5 km south of Khairpur Nathan Shah town. Near this place there is now a village called Veeral which seems to be a distortion of the name of Veernath or Veer Yogi Nath.

By the suffix “Nath” with the name of Veernath, it can be said with certainty that Veernath belonged to sect of Guru Gorakhnath. It is possible that the village of Veernath became famous because of its proximity to the place of Veernath’s yoga or the Marrhi (shrine type). The followers of Veer Yogi Nath might have come and settled down here. Veernath’s place of yoga was later called Veernath and then Veeral. Now the people of the Arain tribe live in this village.

The opinion of Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim Jatoi provides some guidance in this regard. Professor Jatoi writes in the 2003 issue of a magazine of Government Degree College, Khairpur, “Here is the tomb of saint Veernath. During the British rule, the shrine was in the possession and maintenance of the Hindu community. It is not known when Veernath was born and when he died but his full name was Shri Veer Yogi Nath. The Hindus had built a temple here. Ganga Nath, Jumna Nath and Beja Nath were settled for the maintenance of the temple before the partition of the subcontinent”.

Domed ceiling of Marrhi of Veernath - Sindh Courier
Dome of Marrhi of Veernath

Professor Jatoi has written about the construction of a Hindu temple, but he has not explained the connection between the temple and the tomb of the saint Veernath, nor has he mentioned the ruins of the temple. He did not even mention the location of the temple. The notable thing is that Yogis of Nath order do not use to build temples. The temple mentioned by Professor Jatoi is probably a temple-like structure over the Samadhi of Veernath which is called Marrhi in Sindhi language. I am of opinion that Veernath Yogi was a follower of Guru Gorakhnath and he was himself the great yogi of Nath group.

It is also possible that he died while sitting in yoga and was buried where he died and a Marrhi (shrine type) was constructed over his samadhi which Professor Jatoi has considered as shrine. It seems that the Marrhi over samadhi of Veernath was built by the followers of Veernath or Veer Yogi Nath after his death which later came to be known locally as the temple or shrine of Veernath and it is now called the shrine of Veeral Shah by local people.

The names Ganga Nath, Jamnanath and Bejanath including Veernath mentioned by Professor Jatoi confirm the faith of Nath. It also shows that Khairpur Nathan Shah’s area was a stronghold of yogis of the Nath sect. Nathan Shah himself seems to be connected to the Nath order belonging to Guru Gorakhnath.

Marrhi over Samadhi of Veernath- Sindh Courier
Marrhi over Samadhi of Veernath

As far as I know, the ruins of Nath order have been found only in area of Khairpur Nathan Shah and Thar Desert in Sindh. It is historically known that the places where Guru Gorakhnath sat in yoga, Marrhis were built over such places by his followers which are still present in the world. Historically, nowhere in the world is any temple of the yogis of the Nath sect. Only, their Samadhis and Marrhis exist in the world.

It has been already argued that the burial place of the yogis of the Nath group is called Samadhi and the temple-like construction over it is called marrhi. It can be assumed that Shri Veer Yogi Nath alias Veernath himself was a great yogi of the Nath sect. The yogis used to sit in yoga in the jungle, by the lake, by the waters, on banks of the springs, on top of the rocks or in the deserts. Veernath or Veer Yogi Nath may also have been sitting here in the yoga near the pond of water away from town and died where his Samadhi and Marrhi is erected.

The yogis of the Nath Panth also often traveled. Mostly, they used to travel to Hinglach which is now in Balochistan Pakistan. In ancient times, yogis used to sit in yoga in the mountains while going to Hinglach. They had three routes from Sindh. One route used to go from KN Shah to Tando Rahim Khan, Lohi, Dureji, Lahoot Lamakan to Hinglach. Second from Sehwan to Naig, Nighawal, Dureji, Lahoot Lamkan to Hinglaj, and third from Ganja Hills and Kanbhu, Karo (black) mountain, Hub, Windur to Hinglach.

Pond of water near Marrhi of Veernath - Sindh Courier
Pond of water near Marrhi of Veernath

However, Veernath was not Shah but he was a great yogi. It can be said with certainty that Veernath’s Nath sect belonged to Shiva. The Nath Panth was widespread in India, Nepal, Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan Pakistan and Afghanistan. This still survives in the Thar Desert of Sindh. My opinion about Veernath is that this is not his shrine but a Marrhi (shrine-like) may built over his samadhi (grave-like) which is locally known as Veernath Temple and now  shrine of Veeral Shah.

Many mythical traditions have been related to him. For example, it is said that bathing in a pond near Marrhi of Vernath cures itching. People do this and leave their clothes near the pond. Celebrating the festival day of Vernath has been continued since ancient times and it is now called a festival of Veeral Shah. Anyway, at present Veernath is a unique historical site and cultural heritage of Sindh.

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Aziz-Kingrani-Sindh-CourierAziz Kingrani, hailing from village Haji Manik Kingrani, Johi, Dadu District, Sindh, Pakistan, is poet, short story writer, playwright and a research scholar. He has been contributing in the fields of history and literature since five decades. He has served as a professor as well. His 17 books are published in English and Sindhi language. His articles in English, Sindhi and Urdu have been published in various newspapers and magazines.