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{{Short description|Religious organisation based in India}} | |||
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}} | |||
{{Distinguish}} | |||
{{Infobox Organization | |||
{{Not to be confused with|Nirankari|text=]}}{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} | |||
|name = Sant Nirankari Mission | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}} | |||
|image = | |||
{{Infobox organization | |||
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| name = Sant Nirankari Mission | ||
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| logo_caption = Official logo | ||
| image = Sant Nirankari Samagam.jpg | |||
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| caption = Sant Nirankari Samagam at Sant Nirankari Colony, New Delhi on 16 Nov 2014 | |||
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| alt = <!-- alt text; see ] --> | ||
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|abbreviation = SNM | |||
| msize = <!-- map size, optional, default 200px --> | |||
|motto = Universal Brotherhood | |||
| malt = <!-- map alt text --> | |||
|formation = May 1929<!-- {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | |||
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| abbreviation = SNM | |||
|type = <!-- GO, NGO, IGO, INGO, etc --> | |||
| formation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|25 May 1929}} | |||
|status = <!-- ad hoc, treaty, foundation, etc --> | |||
| logo = Sant Nirankari Mission official logo.webp | |||
|purpose = "Universal Brotherhood" | |||
| extinction = <!-- date of extinction, optional --> | |||
|headquarters = Nirankari Colony, ]<br />- 110 009. India. | |||
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| status = <!-- ad hoc, treaty, foundation, etc --> | |||
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| purpose = "Universal Brotherhood" | |||
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| headquarters = Sant Nirankari Colony, ]<br />- 110 009. India. | |||
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|main_organ = Sant Nirankari Mandal | |||
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| main_organ = Sant Nirankari Mandal | |||
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| website = {{URL|https://www.nirankari.org/}} | |||
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'''Sant Nirankari Mission''' is a ] based in ], ]. It was founded in 1929 by Buta Singh. ], the daughter of ], is the sixth spiritual head of the Mission since 17 July 2018. | |||
The '''Sant Nirankari Mission''' ({{lang-pa|ਸੰਤ ਨਿਰੰਕਾਰੀ ਮਿਸ਼ਨ}}, {{lang-hi|संत निरंकारी मिशन}}, '''SNM''') and also known as '''Universal Brotherhood Mission''', is a religious or spiritual organisation based in India. The Sant Nirankari Mission identifies itself as "neither a new religion nor a sect of an existing religion, but an all-embracing spiritual movement dedicated to human welfare".<ref name="Baba Buta Singh Ji" group="SNM">{{cite web|title=History {{!}} Baba Buta Singh Ji (1873–1943) |url=http://www.nirankari.com/modules/founder/bababuta/|work=Sant Nirankari Mission|publisher=Sant Nirankari Mandal (Regd.) |accessdate=10 December 2010|location=Delhi, India }}</ref> Academics identify the group as an offshoot of ], which separated from orthodox Sikhism in 1929 CE.<ref name="Rangaswamy2007">{{cite book|author=Padma Rangaswamy|title=Namaste America|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=yy-2xNW84dsC&pg=PA269|accessdate=12 April 2012|date=30 December 2007|publisher=Penn State Press|isbn=978-0-271-02775-3|pages=269–}}</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
Despite the similarity of name, the group is not<ref name="Singh2009">{{cite book|author=Sardar Harjeet Singh|title=Faith & Philosophy of Sikhism|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=uhtzeompVAUC&pg=PA144|accessdate=12 April 2012|year=2009|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7835-721-8|pages=144–}}</ref> (or is no longer<ref name="McLeod2005">{{cite book|author=W. H. McLeod|title=Historical dictionary of Sikhism|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ma3G-hjh6SwC&pg=PA180|accessdate=12 April 2012|date=28 July 2005|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-5088-0|pages=180–}}</ref>) affiliated with the ] movement started by ]. The Sant Nirankari movement has been targeted for violence by some extremists among the orthodox ]s, who consider the group to be a heresy of Sikhism.<ref name="Gould2011">{{cite book|author=William Gould|title=Religion and Conflict in Modern South Asia|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=K2oexn_mLPIC&pg=PA237|accessdate=12 April 2012|date=31 October 2011|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-70511-0|pages=237–}}</ref> | |||
Nirankari Mission had its formal beginning on 25 May 1929, the day when Avtar Singh met Buta Singh.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2018-11-18|title=Who are Nirankaris?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-are-nirankaris/|access-date=2020-11-01|website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theindiapost.com/articles/biography-of-nirankari-baba-hardev-singh-/|title=Ref1}}</ref> In 1943, Baba Buta Singh passed on his position to Shenshah Baba Avtar Singh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gurus of India|url=http://www.gurusofindia.org/Home/BabaButaSingh|access-date=2020-07-17|website=www.gurusofindia.org}}</ref> Baba Avtar Singh moved to ] after ], where the "Sant Nirankari Mission" was created in 1948<ref name="Nirakari Reference1">{{cite news |title=Sant Nirankari Mission: Nirankari Samagam 2020 goes virtual for the first time, watch it here |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/the-buzz/article/sant-nirankari-mission-nirankari-samagam-2020-goes-virtual-for-the-first-time-watch-it-here/690906 |access-date=1 April 2021 |publisher=www.timesnownews.com |date=6 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> (in 1947)<ref name="JonesRyan">{{cite encyclopedia |surname=Jones |given=Constance A. |surname2=Ryan |given2=James D. |title=Narankiri Movement (est. 1851) |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |pages=312–313 |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofhi0000jone/page/312/mode/2up |url-access=registration |year=2006 |place=New York |publisher=Facts On File |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 |series=Encyclopedia of World Religions |oclc=1126064264 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> He was succeeded by his son ] in 1962.<ref name="JonesRyan" /> | |||
Baba Gurbachan Singh was assassinated on 24 April 1980. With Baba Gurbachan Singh's last breath, he appointed his son Hardev Singh | |||
The SNM has over 100 branches outside India, most prominently in Britain and North America. Its world headquarters is located in Sant Nirankari Colony, Delhi.<ref name="Organisational Outfit" group="SNM">{{cite web|title=Souvenir 50th Samagam – Organisational Outfit of Sant Nirankari Mission|url=http://www.nirankari.org/literature/books/souvenir50smg/origanisationaloutfit.htm|work=Sant Nirankari Mission|publisher=Sant Nirankari Mandal (Regd.) |accessdate=10 December 2010|location=Delhi, India}}</ref> Its leader, ], provides spiritual guidance for Nirankari devotees; the group is characterised by its focus on a living leader.<ref name="Knott">{{cite book |last=Knott |first=Kim |title=A new handbook of living religions |year=1998 |publisher=] |isbn=0-14-051407-4 |pages=756–774 |chapter=The Religions of South Asian Communities in Britain |editor1-first=John R |editor1-last=Hinnells |location=Cambridge, Mass |edition=2nd |oclc=317517572 }}</ref> | |||
as the next Satguru.<ref name="JonesRyan" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Baba Gurbachan Singh: Biography: Nirankari Rajmata: Yug Pravartak : Nirankari Baba: Seva Dal |website=thesindhuworld.com |url=https://thesindhuworld.com/baba-gurbachansingh/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019133632/https://thesindhuworld.com/baba-gurbachansingh/ |archive-date=2019-10-19 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
In 2016, Mata Savinder Hardev succeeded her husband Hardev Singh after a fatal accident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hindi.oneindia.com/news/india/sant-nirankari-mission-former-head-mata-savinder-kaur-passed-away-467441.html|title = संत निरंकारी मिशन की पूर्व मुखिया माता सविंदर कौर का ब्रह्मलीन|date = 6 August 2018}}</ref> In 2018, she declared her daughter Sudiksha Savinder Hardev as the sixth spiritual leader of the organization, days before she succumbed to her deteriorating health.<ref>{{cite news|title=Baba Hardev Singh's wife Savinder to head Nirankari sect|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/baba-hardev-singh-s-wife-savinder-to-head-nirankari-sect/story-1sV5crjSgv84fqJO1kzFUJ.html|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=18 May 2016}}</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
The original Nirankari sect of Sikhism (now largely defunct) began with the reformist movement of Baba Dayal in the early 19th century. Dayal's movement emphasised the importance of a living guru, while mainstream Sikhism accepted the Sikh scriptures as the final, and current, guru of the faith. The Nirankari movement remained small and somewhat tolerated by orthodox Sikhs. In 1929, one segment of the movement, now known as the Sant Nirankari, disassociated itself from mainstream Sikhism and became an independent organisation.<ref name="Rangaswamy2007">{{cite book|author=Padma Rangaswamy|title=Namaste America|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=yy-2xNW84dsC&pg=PA269|accessdate=12 April 2012|date=30 December 2007|publisher=Penn State Press|isbn=978-0-271-02775-3|pages=269–}}</ref> | |||
=== Baba Buta Singh (1873–1943) === | |||
In the 1960s, the sudden growth of the Sant Nirankari faction (a "breakaway guru lineage" of the Nirankaris), as well as some heterodox statements by its leaders, aroused the ire of fundamentalist Sikhs, some of whom used opposition to the Sant Nirankaris as a platform.<ref name="Marty1996">{{cite book|author=Martin E. Marty|title=Fundamentalisms and the State: Remaking Polities, Economies, and Militance|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=doCmVaOnh_wC&pg=PA273|accessdate=12 April 2012|date=1 July 1996|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-50884-9|pages=273–}}</ref> The Sant Nirkankari ''satguru'' ] was assassinated in 1980, by one Ranjit Singh, a member of the ]. The AKJ had, shortly before the killing, had been involved in protests against the Sant Nirankaris as heterodox.<ref name=SATP>{{cite web |url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/publication/nightsoffalsehood/falsehood4.htm |title=Punjab: The Knights of Falsehood – Psalms of Terror |date=31 December 2001 |work=South Asia Terrorism Portal |publisher=Institute for Conflict Management |location=New Delhi |accessdate=13 December 2010 }}</ref> | |||
In 1929, Baba Buta Singh established the Sant Nirankari Mission. Before his death in 1943 at Kohmari, Baba Buta Singh handed over the responsibility of spreading the holy gyan to Shehnshah Baba Avtar Singh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nirankari.org/legacy/baba-buta-singh-ji-maharaj-1873-1943/|title=Baba Buta Singh Ji Maharaj (1873-1943)|website=Sant Nirankari Mission}}</ref> | |||
== |
=== Shehnshah Baba Avtar Singh (1899–1969) === | ||
Shehnshah Avtar Singh was born on 31 December 1899 in Latifal village of present-day Pakistan. In May 1929 he met Baba Buta Singh. In 1943, Buta Singh named Avtar Singh as successor before his death. | |||
The ''Avtar Bani''<ref name="Avtar bani" group="SNM">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Nirankari Baba Avtar |others=English version by Gurbachan Singh Nirankari (G.S. Bhatia) |title=Awatāra bāṇī |trans_title=Avtar bani |url=http://www.nirankari.com/literature/books/abani/abani.pdf |archiveurl=http://www.nirankari.com/literature/books/abani/main.htm |archivedate=20 January 1999 |format=PDF |accessdate=11 December 2010 |year=1976 |publisher=Sant Nirankari Mandal |location=Delhi |oclc=13611411 |id={{ASIN|B0006E107M|country=in|title=Avtar bani|year=1976}} |laysummary=Verses in praise of the formless God (Nirankāra) by a spiritual leader of the Nirankaris, a syncretic sect. |laydate= }}</ref> outlines the key philosophy of the Sant Nirankari Mission, and serves as the group's primary text, though not necessarily a holy book. It is named after its author Shahenshan Baba Avtar Singh.<ref name="Baba Avtar Singh Ji" group="SNM">{{cite web |title=SNM History – Baba Avtar Singh Ji |url=http://www.nirankari.com/history/hist3.htm |work=Sant Nirankari Mission|publisher=Sant Nirankari Mandal (Regd.) |accessdate=11 December 2010|location=Delhi, India}}</ref> Its initial version was first published in 1957. Its predecessor, the ''Sampuran Avtar Bani''<ref name="Sampuran Avtar bani">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Nirankari Baba Avtar |editor1-first=Kirpa |editor1-last=Sagar |others=Translated by Amrik Singh |title=Sampūraṇa Awatāra bāṇī |trans_title=Sampuran Avtar bani |edition=3rd |year=2001 |origyear=1972 |publisher=Sant Nirankari Mandal |location=Delhi |language=English and Panjabi (Panjabi in roman script) |oclc=54861839 |laysummary=Verses in praise of the formless God (Nirankāra) by a spiritual leader of the Nirankaris, a syncretic sect. |laydate= }}</ref> ("complete Avtar Bani") was published in 1965. The Avtar Bani was originally written in Punjabi verse, but some stanzas were in the Urdu and Sindhi language. It contains 376 hymns which describe the qualities of Formless God (Nirankar), the important role of a spiritual in attaining God-realisation, the kindness and grace of the "True Master", the purpose of human life, the five fundamental principles, true devotion and how a man can lead a saintly life. It has been published in Gurumukhi, Devnagari, Urdu and Roman scripts. It has also been translated and published in English (verse and prose), Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Nepali and Marathi verse. | |||
After the 1947 Indo-Pak partition, Baba Avtar Singh established the Sant Nirankari Mandal in Delhi, India. In 1962, Baba Avtar Singh entrusted it to Baba Gurbachan Singh. Shehnshah Avtar Singh became one with Nirankari on 17 September 1969.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nirankari.org/home/legacy/baba-avtar-singh-ji-maharaj-31st-dec-1899-17th-sep-1969/|title = Baba Avtar Singh Ji Maharaj (31st Dec 1899-17th Sep 1969)}}</ref> | |||
== Nirankari Museum == | |||
The Nirakari Museum was officially launched by Baba Hardev Singh on 22 February 2005. The museum is located within the Sant Nirankari Sarovar in North Delhi, and depicts the history of the Nirankari Mission through audio-visuals and pictures.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite journal |author="Our Staff Reporter" |date=23 February 2005 |title=Nirankari Museum inaugurated |journal=The Hindu |location=Chennai, Madras, India |publisher=Kasturi and Sons Ltd |oclc=35304678 |accessdate=11 December 2010|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/02/23/stories/2005022316760300.htm }}</ref><ref name="The Tribune">{{cite journal |date=24 February 2005 |title=A museum of spiritual panorama |journal=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India |author=Tribune News Service|location=Chandigarh, Indi |publisher=The Tribune Trust |oclc=47351219 |accessdate=11 December 2010 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050225/delhi.htm#15 }}</ref> | |||
=== Satguru Baba Gurbachan Singh (1930–1980) === | |||
==Notes and references== | |||
] was born on 10 December 1930 to Baba Avtar Singh and Mata Budhwanti Kaur, in ], a city in present-day Pakistan. He was married to Kulwant Kaur (Nirankari Raj Mata).{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
*{{cite book |last1=McKean |first1=Lise |title=Divine enterprise: Gurus and the Hindu Nationalist Movement |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OsI7Hy8H34YC&lpg=PA273&dq=%22Sant%20Nirankari%20Mission%22%20intitle%3ADivine&pg=PA273#v=onepage&q=%22Sant%20Nirankari%20Mission%22%20intitle:Divine&f=false |accessdate=18 December 2010 |year=1996 |publisher=] |location=Chicago |isbn=0-226-56009-0 |oclc=32859823 |page=273 }} | |||
<!-- DO WE HAVE ANYTHING TO INDICATE "bindra.net" IS A RELIABLE SOURCE???? | |||
*{{cite web |url=http://bindra.net/s-022.html |title=Nirankaris and Sant (Neo-)Nirankaris |author=Pritpal Singh Bindra |date=30 August 2009 |work=Essays On Sikhism |accessdate=13 December 2010 }} --> | |||
*Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer. ''Sikh History in 10 volumes''. Singh Brothers, Amritsar, 2011. Vol. 7 | |||
*Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer. ''Sikh Twareekh''. Singh Brothers, Amritsar, 2008. Vol 3.{{pa icon}} | |||
Baba Gurbachan Singh took over the organization in 1962. He was assassinated on April 24, 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nirankari head Baba Gurbachan Singh shot dead |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19800515-nirankari-head-baba-gurbachan-singh-shot-dead-806668-2014-01-28 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> | |||
===Satguru Baba Hardev Singh (1954–2016) === | |||
] was born on 23 February 1954 in ] to Baba Gurbachan Singh and Nirankari Raj Mata Kulwant Kaur as parents. After the cold blooded assassination of Baba Gurbachan Singh in 1980, he became the next Satguru. He was honored by the ] (U.N.O.) with special consultative status in 2012, which was later upgraded to general consultative status in 2018.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} | |||
He died on 13 May 2016 in an automobile accident, when he was travelling to attend a spiritual gathering in ] with both of his son-in-laws. One of them succumbed to his injuries. The other son in law was driving the vehicle when the accident occurred. Details are still vague around the exact cause of the accident.<ref name="Nirakari Reference1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nirankari.org/home/legacy/baba-hardev-singh-ji-maharaj-23rd-feb-1954-13th-may-2016/|title = Baba Hardev Singh ji Maharaj (23rd Feb 1954 - 13th May 2016)}}</ref> | |||
===References from Sant Nirankari Mandal website=== | |||
{{Reflist|group=SNM}} | |||
=== Satguru Mata Savinder Hardev (1957–2018) === | |||
Savinder Hardev was born on 12 January 1957. She was the wife of Hardev Singh. After the death of her husband, she became the fifth head of the organization.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}} | |||
Before her death, she handed over the organization to her daughter Sudiksha. She died on 5 August 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nirankari.org/legacy/satguru-mata-savinder-hardev-ji-maharaj-12th-jan-1957-5th-aug-2018/|title=Satguru Mata Savinder Hardev Ji Maharaj (12th Jan 1957- 5th Aug 2018)|website=Sant Nirankari Mission}}</ref> | |||
=== Satguru Mata Sudiksha Savinder Hardev (1985) === | |||
] was born on 13 March 1985. She was named as the Satguru of the Nirankari Mission on 17 July 2018.<ref name="Nirakari Reference1" /> | |||
She is now the sixth head of the Nirankari Mission. | |||
==Beliefs== | |||
The organization teaches "self-realization through God-realization".<ref name="Zee News 2016">{{cite web |title=All about the Sant Nirankari Mission |website=Zee News |date=2016-05-18 |url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/india/all-about-the-sant-nirankari-mission_1886266.html |access-date=2020-07-19}}</ref> Being born as a human being through the cycles of reincarnation has been described as superior to all other species of animal created by God. Nirankaris believe that it is "meaningless to worship" until one has a sight of God. Simply repeating the word "water" does not quench your thirst. One must experience "water" and consume it in order to truly quench your thirst. It focuses on the belief that God is formless yet exists in all forms. | |||
==Nirankari Museum== | |||
The Nirankari Museum was inaugurated by fourth satguru of the Mission, Satguru Baba Hardev Singh, on 22 February 2005. The museum is located within the Nirankari Sarovar Complex in ]. It depicts the history and key teachings of the Mission through audio-visuals and pictures.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news |author=Our Staff Reporter |date=22 February 2005 |title=Nirankari Museum inaugurated |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai, Madras, India |publisher=Kasturi and Sons Ltd |oclc=35304678|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/02/23/stories/2005022316760300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202093116/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/02/23/stories/2005022316760300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2008 }}</ref><ref name="The Tribune">{{cite news |date=24 February 2005 |title=A museum of spiritual panorama |newspaper=The Tribune |location=Chandigarh, India |author=Tribune News Service |publisher=The Tribune Trust |oclc=47351219|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050225/delhi.htm#15 }}</ref> | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*{{Official| |
*{{Official website|https://www.nirankari.org/}} | ||
* | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2012}} | |||
] | |||
] | ] | ||
] | ] | ||
] | |||
] | |||
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Latest revision as of 04:24, 2 December 2024
Religious organisation based in India Not to be confused with Nirankari.
Official logo | |
Sant Nirankari Samagam at Sant Nirankari Colony, New Delhi on 16 Nov 2014 | |
Abbreviation | SNM |
---|---|
Formation | 25 May 1929; 95 years ago (25 May 1929) |
Purpose | "Universal Brotherhood" |
Headquarters | Sant Nirankari Colony, Delhi - 110 009. India. |
Main organ | Sant Nirankari Mandal |
Website | www |
Sant Nirankari Mission is a spiritual organisation based in Delhi, India. It was founded in 1929 by Buta Singh. Mata Sudiksha, the daughter of Satguru Baba Hardev Singh, is the sixth spiritual head of the Mission since 17 July 2018.
History
Nirankari Mission had its formal beginning on 25 May 1929, the day when Avtar Singh met Buta Singh. In 1943, Baba Buta Singh passed on his position to Shenshah Baba Avtar Singh. Baba Avtar Singh moved to Delhi after partition, where the "Sant Nirankari Mission" was created in 1948 (in 1947) He was succeeded by his son Gurbachan Singh in 1962.
Baba Gurbachan Singh was assassinated on 24 April 1980. With Baba Gurbachan Singh's last breath, he appointed his son Hardev Singh as the next Satguru.
In 2016, Mata Savinder Hardev succeeded her husband Hardev Singh after a fatal accident. In 2018, she declared her daughter Sudiksha Savinder Hardev as the sixth spiritual leader of the organization, days before she succumbed to her deteriorating health.
Baba Buta Singh (1873–1943)
In 1929, Baba Buta Singh established the Sant Nirankari Mission. Before his death in 1943 at Kohmari, Baba Buta Singh handed over the responsibility of spreading the holy gyan to Shehnshah Baba Avtar Singh.
Shehnshah Baba Avtar Singh (1899–1969)
Shehnshah Avtar Singh was born on 31 December 1899 in Latifal village of present-day Pakistan. In May 1929 he met Baba Buta Singh. In 1943, Buta Singh named Avtar Singh as successor before his death.
After the 1947 Indo-Pak partition, Baba Avtar Singh established the Sant Nirankari Mandal in Delhi, India. In 1962, Baba Avtar Singh entrusted it to Baba Gurbachan Singh. Shehnshah Avtar Singh became one with Nirankari on 17 September 1969.
Satguru Baba Gurbachan Singh (1930–1980)
Gurbachan Singh was born on 10 December 1930 to Baba Avtar Singh and Mata Budhwanti Kaur, in Peshawar, a city in present-day Pakistan. He was married to Kulwant Kaur (Nirankari Raj Mata).
Baba Gurbachan Singh took over the organization in 1962. He was assassinated on April 24, 1980.
Satguru Baba Hardev Singh (1954–2016)
Hardev Singh was born on 23 February 1954 in Delhi to Baba Gurbachan Singh and Nirankari Raj Mata Kulwant Kaur as parents. After the cold blooded assassination of Baba Gurbachan Singh in 1980, he became the next Satguru. He was honored by the United Nations (U.N.O.) with special consultative status in 2012, which was later upgraded to general consultative status in 2018.
He died on 13 May 2016 in an automobile accident, when he was travelling to attend a spiritual gathering in Canada with both of his son-in-laws. One of them succumbed to his injuries. The other son in law was driving the vehicle when the accident occurred. Details are still vague around the exact cause of the accident.
Satguru Mata Savinder Hardev (1957–2018)
Savinder Hardev was born on 12 January 1957. She was the wife of Hardev Singh. After the death of her husband, she became the fifth head of the organization.
Before her death, she handed over the organization to her daughter Sudiksha. She died on 5 August 2018
Satguru Mata Sudiksha Savinder Hardev (1985)
Sudiksha was born on 13 March 1985. She was named as the Satguru of the Nirankari Mission on 17 July 2018.
She is now the sixth head of the Nirankari Mission.
Beliefs
The organization teaches "self-realization through God-realization". Being born as a human being through the cycles of reincarnation has been described as superior to all other species of animal created by God. Nirankaris believe that it is "meaningless to worship" until one has a sight of God. Simply repeating the word "water" does not quench your thirst. One must experience "water" and consume it in order to truly quench your thirst. It focuses on the belief that God is formless yet exists in all forms.
Nirankari Museum
The Nirankari Museum was inaugurated by fourth satguru of the Mission, Satguru Baba Hardev Singh, on 22 February 2005. The museum is located within the Nirankari Sarovar Complex in New Delhi. It depicts the history and key teachings of the Mission through audio-visuals and pictures.
References
- "Who are Nirankaris?". The Indian Express. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
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- "Gurus of India". www.gurusofindia.org. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- ^ "Sant Nirankari Mission: Nirankari Samagam 2020 goes virtual for the first time, watch it here". www.timesnownews.com. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
- ^ Jones, Constance A.; Ryan, James D. (2006). "Narankiri Movement (est. 1851)". Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Encyclopedia of World Religions. New York: Facts On File. pp. 312–313. ISBN 978-0-8160-7564-5. OCLC 1126064264 – via Internet Archive.
- "Baba Gurbachan Singh: Biography: Nirankari Rajmata: Yug Pravartak : Nirankari Baba: Seva Dal". thesindhuworld.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019.
- "संत निरंकारी मिशन की पूर्व मुखिया माता सविंदर कौर का ब्रह्मलीन". 6 August 2018.
- "Baba Hardev Singh's wife Savinder to head Nirankari sect". Hindustan Times. 18 May 2016.
- "Baba Buta Singh Ji Maharaj (1873-1943)". Sant Nirankari Mission.
- "Baba Avtar Singh Ji Maharaj (31st Dec 1899-17th Sep 1969)".
- "Nirankari head Baba Gurbachan Singh shot dead". India Today. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- "Baba Hardev Singh ji Maharaj (23rd Feb 1954 - 13th May 2016)".
- "Satguru Mata Savinder Hardev Ji Maharaj (12th Jan 1957- 5th Aug 2018)". Sant Nirankari Mission.
- "All about the Sant Nirankari Mission". Zee News. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- Our Staff Reporter (22 February 2005). "Nirankari Museum inaugurated". The Hindu. Chennai, Madras, India: Kasturi and Sons Ltd. OCLC 35304678. Archived from the original on 2 February 2008.
- Tribune News Service (24 February 2005). "A museum of spiritual panorama". The Tribune. Chandigarh, India: The Tribune Trust. OCLC 47351219.