Shri Mahant Pandit Baba Mahitab Singh Ji Maharaj
Mahant Baba Mahitab Singh Ji Maharaj was born in village Vaddi Lehal district Sangrur. When he sat down to study at the age of seven, he very quickly acquired the knowledge of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He was so engrossed in reading Gurbani that his mind became detached from the world. In such a state, he travelled to many pilgrimage places and reached Rishikesh. He was extremely happy to see the great ascetic and famous Sanskrit scholar Shri Maan Sant Dharm Singh Ji Maharaj and humbly became his disciple. He started living with him in the bushes on the banks of the Ganga in Rishikesh. He became a high class Sanskrit scholar with the company of Swami Dharmdas Ji. He did not talk about anything useless without chanting the name of God and doing satsang. Along with Nam Simran, you used to do Nitnem of the entire Panj Granthi every day. Your body was of tailor-made saffron clothes, loincloth, two yards of turban on the head and black blanket on top. Due to your Japa-Pathya, renunciation-dispassion and gentle nature, your fame spread in the Sadhu community of pure appearance and Shat Darshan. Patiala King Maharaja Narendra Singh, on his way to Badri Narayan Yatra in 1852 AD, met you and became a slave of your feet. When Shri Panchayati Akhara Nirmala was established in Patiala on 1919 (1862 AD), he was unanimously appointed to the highest post of Shri Mahant Sahib of Shri Panchayati Akhara Nirmala, the highest institution of Nirmal Bhekh, amidst the sound of Jaikaras. He lived for 51 years, adorned with the post of Shri Mahant Sahib and doing indescribable service to Bhekh. He attained salvation on the day of Vaisakh (1928) (1871 AD) in Shri Panchayati Akhara Nirmala, Kankhal, Haridwar.
Shri Mahant Pandit Ram Singh Ji Maharaj 'Kuberiye'
Shri Mahant Pandit Ram Singh Ji Maharaj was born on 1872 (1815 AD) in a religious Gursikh family in village Cheema, district Sangrur. He spent the first 15 years of his childhood in the village and studied Gurumukhi Vidya, Gurbani and Vedanta books like Vairaagyagyatak. He developed renunciation in his mind. He used to visit the village saints all the time and serve them and read new books of Gurbani and Vedanta every day. When he went to Kurukshetra on the occasion of solar eclipse, Shri Maan Sant Maan Singh Ji Maharaj visited the people of Kaber and had a satsang with them and surrendered himself at their feet. The great men considered him worthy and made him their disciple. After keeping him in service for some time, the Qazi considered him worthy and sent him to study Sanskrit. He studied for 18 years in Kandi and became a great scholar of Sanskrit. Many students learnt Sanskrit, Gurbani and language from him. He had a notable contribution in gathering the people on the occasion of the establishment of the Akhara. He contributed a lot in discussion and writing. Due to his great qualities like service, remembrance, scholarship, humility etc., on the 17th day of the first Shri Mahant Ji Maharaj, on 17th Vaishakh Sammat 1928, 1871, he was unanimously chosen as the Shri Mahant of the Akhara. The time of his Shri Mahanti was very difficult and testing. The courage shown by him during the big incident of Sachkhand Shri Hazur Sahib is an example in itself. The knowledge related to which can be obtained from ‘Nirmal Panth Darnyan’ and ‘Nirmal Panth Bodh’
Due to some illness, he passed away on Shravan Krishna Paksha 15 Sammat 1953 Vikrami – Kankhal Harihar. He remained a Mahant for 25 years and his total age was 78 years.
Shri Mahant Pandit Udhav Singh Ji Naiyayak
Shri Mahant Pandit Udhav Singh Ji Maharaj was born in village Kalha district Amritsar in the house of father Sardar Lahna Singh on 1897 Sammat 1840 AD. In childhood, he learnt Gurbani and Vedanta language texts from the great men of the village at the age of 12.Your father was a saintly person. Seeing your sharp intellect, he sent you to Kashi to study Sanskrit. You learnt by staying under the disciple feet of Pandit Gulab Singh in Kashi. You wrote two precious texts named “Abhaav Rahasya” and “Ashram Dharm Rahasya” in Kashi. After the demise of Shri Mahant Ram Singh – Kuberiya, you were appointed as the Mahant of Shri Panchayati Akhara Nirmala Kankhal Harihar on 8 Bhadra Pad Sammat 1953, 1896. During your Mahanti period, you studied in Branch Nryambakeshwar, Kurkshetra and the village Bahadurpur, Mirzapur, adjacent to Branch Akad. Bought 7 villages like Bhareta and Kunethi for 56960 rupees. During his time, great development of the Akhara took place. He passed away on 20 Pos Sammat 1962, 1905 AD, during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. A wave of laughter spread in the entire Shat Darshan Sadhu Samaj. Big scholars and Mahamandaleshwars mourned by saying that today the sun of knowledge has set from the pure face. He remained Shri Mahant for 9 years and his total age was 64 years.
Shri Mahant Pandit Sadhu Singh Ji Maharaj Patiala Wale
Shri Mahant Pandit Sadhu Singh Ji Maharaj was born to father Sardar Sobha Singh and mother Shri Devi Ji in village Sarlian Kalan district Amritsar on 1898 AD. His childhood was spent in the village. At the age of 16, due to renunciation, he left home and reached Gruwadi Ashram district Hoshiarpur and became a disciple of Pandit Gulab Singh Ji Maharaj. His two main tasks were service and study. He served in the camp for 12 years and read books of language. After that, he went to Tarn Taran Sahib and studied Gurbani, Guru history and Sanskrit and became a Vihnaan of high order. He roamed freely and for a long time became the head Mahant of the Akhara and preached religion by organizing the Ramat (jamaat) of the Akhara. After retiring from the service of the Ramat Akhara, he went to Patiala to his Guru brother Pandit Tara Singh Ji Narattam. Maharaja Mahendra Singh was very pleased to hear your story and all the honours given to Narottam Ji in the royal court were given to you as well. Maharaja Patiala built a very beautiful place in village Baheda by spending 11011 rupees. Living in this secluded place, you composed many philosophical texts. In Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, on the occasion of the 17th Bhandaar of Shri Mahant Udhav Singh Ji Maharaj Naiyayak, despite your refusal, you were appointed as the Shri Mahant of Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhara on 4th Magh Sammat 1962 1905 AD by the entire Nirmal Bhekh. While serving Bhekh, you passed away on 2nd February 1964 in Patiala. You remained the Shri Mahant for 3 years and your total age was 63 years.
Shri Mahant Pandit Ram Singh Ji Maharaj Harike Wale
Shri Mahant Pandit Ram Singh Ji Maharaj was born in a Gursikh family in village Harike, district Muktsar Sahib. Since he had a saintly nature in his childhood, he studied at the feet of Shri Man Sant Mastan Singh in the village and became a disciple of great men. Due to his wisdom, great men sent him to Kashi for studies. With time, he became one of the famous scholars of Kashi. All the students like Sanyasis, Udaasis, Dadupanthi Mahatmas and K-Brahmins used to study from him. He himself used to provide food, mantras and books to all the students. Some time before the Kumbh Mela of Trimbakeshwar, on 1965, 1908, after the demise of Mahant Sadhu Singh Ji, he was unanimously appointed as the Mahant of the Akhara by the Nirmal sect. During his time, Mahant Inder Singh Ji transferred the entire property of Gurudwara Paki Sangat Tap Sthan Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji Prayagraj to Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhara on 6 Asad 1966, 1909. His pure appearance and Shat Darshan had a great influence in the Sadhu community. He used to narrate very beautiful stories of Gurbani and other scriptures. The story had a great impact because of your style of speaking, the order of your words and the flavour of your language.
Shri Mahant Pandit Daya Singh Ji Maharaj Vedantacharya Uggo Wale
Shri Mahant Pandit Daya Singh Ji Maharaj was born on 1924 (1868 AD) in village Hero Khurd. Shriman Sant Maluk Singh Ji Godade was his maternal uncle. He developed a spiritual inclination by his association and became his disciple by following his instructions. The great sages considered him wise and sent him to Qazi to study Sanskrit. After becoming a great scholar, he came to his Guru Sthan Uggo and taught knowledge to many students. He was greatly respected in Nirmal Bhekh. After the death of Shriman Shri Mahant Pandit Ram Singh Ji Harike Wale, on 26 Kattak (1985 AD) in 1928, a huge gathering was organised in Kurukshetra on the occasion of solar eclipse. In that meeting, he was unanimously appointed as the Mahant of the Akhara on the basis of Shri Nirmal Panchayat. During his time, he managed the Akhara very smoothly. While serving the people, he finally attained salvation on Wednesday, 3rd Pos 1997, 1940 AD, in Dera Uggo. He remained the Mahant for 3 years and his total age was 61 years.
Shri Mahant Pandit Jeevan Singh Ji Maharaj
Shri Mahant Pandit Jivan Singh Ji Maharaj was born to father Gurdas Kshatriya and mother Laxmi in village Godwal district Sargodha (Pakistan) on 1875 AD. He spent his childhood in the village and studied Gurumukhi and at the age of 8 years he received the education of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He studied Urdu Persian for 3 years in the village school and also helped his father in the work. In 1950, he went to village Lun Miani with his father for some work. Saint Makkhan Singh Virakt Ji had come there and after listening to his story, he developed renunciation in his mind. After taking permission from his father, he decided to stay at the feet of Virakt Ji and started doing Guru Seva and studying. After reaching the Ashram Mangat, Virakt Ji made him his disciple according to the rules of Nirmal sect and named him Jivan Singh. After some time he went to Rishikesh to study. After studying grammar from there, he stayed in Lahori Tola in Kashi on 1959 to acquire higher education with the permission of his Guru. After studying for 15-16 years, he was counted among the famous scholars of Kashi. Due to his efforts, Nirmal Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya was established in Lahori Tola in Kashi. When Mahant Pandit Daya Singh Ji Maharaj passed away, he was unanimously elected as the Mahant of Nirmal Panchayati Akhara in the great gathering of Nirmal Bhekh in Kankhal, Haridwar on 5 January 1931. He handled all the religious and social works of the Akhara with great ability. His style of narrating the story was very beautiful and impressive. While serving the Akhara, he fell ill and passed away on the 1st day of Thursday, 1991, in the year 1934 in Kankhal. He remained the Mahant for a total of 5 years and his total age was 58 years.
Shri Mahant Pandit Suchha Singh Ji Maharaj
Shri Mahant Pandit Suchha Singh Ji Maharaj was born to mother Mahitab Kaur and father Sardar Natha Singh Ji in village Bhinder Kalan district Firozpur. At the age of 16, he studied Gurumukhi, Gurbani and some Vedanta texts from Shriman Sant Kejnavdas Ji at the camp of Jeene village. The company of saints made his nature religious. – In 1899, Sant Bhagat Singh Ji Maharaj came to the camp of Sant Kejnavdas Ji of Pindigheb, Bhinder Kalan. Satsang continued for many days. By listening to the satsang, he surrendered himself to his feet. When Sant Bhagat Singh Ji went back to his camp Theh Sahib – village Dhunda Goindwal Sahib, then the child Suchha Singh Ji also reached Dhunda camp without telling anyone, and duly Sant Bhagat Singh ji Maharaj became his disciple and started living at his feet. He made it a rule to wake up at 2 am every day. Knowing him to be a great candidate, the great men sent him to Rishikesh to get higher education in Sanskrit from Shriman Sant Baba Prem Singh ji. He studied books on grammar and jurisprudence from him. Thereafter, Sant Prem Singh ji sent him to Kashi to get higher education in philosophy. He became a top class scholar of Sanskrit by working as a Qazi for many years. His scholarship became famous everywhere. After Shriman Sant Bhagat Singh ji’s ‘Brahman’, he was called to Kashi and Nirmal Bhekh gave him the ‘Daar Bandi’ of ‘Daar Bandi’ of ‘Daar Bandi’ and ‘Gahi’ of ‘Daar Bandi’ of ‘Daar Bandi’ and ‘Gahi’ of ‘Daar Bandi’. He took the responsibility of the ‘Daar’. Despite this, you lived in the cave for a long time. After some time, you handed over the responsibility of the camp to the sevadars. You visited the four dhams, the five Takhts and the seven Purias. You travelled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. After the demise of Mahant Pandit Jivan Singh Ji Maharaj in 1991, in 1934, you were appointed as the Mahant of the Nirmal Bhekh Akhara in Kankhal, Haridwar. During your time, the Akhara developed greatly. In the literary field, you established the Nirmal Sahityik Prakashan Samiti and published many rare ancient texts. During your time, the 100th anniversary of the foundation day of the Nirmal Akhara was celebrated on a grand scale. The 400th anniversary of Amritsar was inaugurated by the Shiromani Committee and the Sikh community. Many big programs like seminars etc. were organized by your hands towards the sects in Guru Dev University and Nanak got it done. While serving the sect, you went to Haridwar > Brahmalin Kankhal on 28 December 1985. All the markets of Kankhal remained closed in your presence. – 141 continuous readings of Shri Guru Granth Sahib were started. You were the head of the Akhara for 51 years and – Your total age was 100 years. Shri Maan 108 Shri Mahant Pandit Suchha Singh Ji Maharaj Vedantacharya Pindigheb Wale 3% Ijwasyamidam Sarvam Yatkincha Jagatya Jagat.
Shri Mahant Pandit Balbir Singh Ji Vedantacharya of Patna Sahib
Shri Mahant Pandit Balbir Singh Ji Maharaj was born in Muktsar Sahib on 1915 AD in the house of father Baba Kala Singh Ji and mother Pratap Kaur. Being a pilgrimage center, every particle of Muktsar Sahib was religious. In childhood itself, he used to spend most of his time in listening to Katha Kirtan in Pandit Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj’s camp. Seeing his interest, Pandit Hardev Singh himself started teaching him Gurbani, Hindi and Sanskrit. He made him capable of understanding the style of scholars and sent him to Harihar to study in the Sanskrit school of Nirmal Akhara. After living in Harihar for a few years, he went to Sangat Lahori Tola Kashi and obtained the degree of Vedantacharya in 1948 AD. Finding him capable, Shri Mahant Suchha Singh Ji Maharaj appointed him Mahant of Guru Bal Leela Maini Sangat Patna Sahib. He got a very beautiful Darbar Sahib constructed in Bal Leela and a Yatri Niwas for the convenience of the pilgrims. Along with service, he also imparted the essence of Guru wisdom to the congregation through narration of stories in Bal Leela and Shri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib. Apart from being a storyteller, he was also a famous writer of Punjabi and Hindi. The Gabdarth of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which was published in four volumes by the Shiromani Committee, the Hindi translation of this Gabdarth was specially done by him, which is available till date. On 28 December 1985, after the demise of Shri Mahant Sucha Singh Ji Maharaj, on 12 January 1986, Nirmal Bhekh unanimously appointed him as the Shri Mahant of Nirmal Akhara. He served the sect as Shri Mahant for 8 years in a very smooth manner. Finally, he passed away on 18 September 1993 in Kankhal, Haryana. His total age was 68 years.
श्री महन्त पण्डित ज्ञानदेव सिंह जी महाराज वेदान्ताचार्य
Shri Maan 108 Shri Mahant Pandit Gyan Dev Singh Ji Maharaj is a great scholar, a great philosopher and a great man. His life is spent in the study of knowledge, propagation of religion and charity. He was born on 1 March 1940 in village Bahlolpur, district Meerut, UP, to mother Gangadai Ji and father Sardar Dariyav Singh Ji. He spent his childhood in the village and received his schooling till 10th class in Kila Parikshit Garh. Once he came to Haridwar with his mother for darshan at Kumbh, and met Brahmanishtha Mahamandaleshwar Shri Maan Swami Lal Singh (Nirmal Swami). He became his disciple with dignity and went to Amritsar at the feet of Swami Nirmal Ji Maharaj. While staying here, he read the books of Vedanta and received the degree of Hindi Prabhakar. Seeing his devotion and religious dedication, Nirmal Swami Ji Maharaj sent him to Kashi to study Sanskrit with Mahant Gurdeep Singh Vedanta Kesari Ji. Here he passed the degree of Vedantacharya and also deeply contemplated on the main texts of Vedanta from Swami Vamdev Maharaj Virakt Ji. From Kashi itself, he formed a group with 40 learned Mahatmas and left for the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. He travelled on foot throughout India for about 10-12 years to preach religion. There is no pilgrimage in India where his group has not gone. When Shriman Shri Mahant Pandit Balbir Singh Ji passed away, many people of Nirmal Bhekh gathered for the appointment of the next Shri Mahant Ji but no decision could be taken. The eyes of the confused Nirmala Mahatmas turned towards you. As soon as you took your name, it was decided unanimously to appoint you as the Mahant of Nirmal Akhara amidst the sound of cheers. At that time, you were preaching religion and visiting Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain after completing Chaturmas in Swami Budhdev Ashram, Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, with a group of saints. At the same time, a distinguished person of Nirmal Bhekh reached Ujjain in Mahakal courtyard. From there, after praying, he brought you along with the group to Nirmal Akhara, Kankhal, Haridwar. On 6 October 1993, Nirmal Bhekh and Shat Darshan Sadhu Samaj conferred the title of Mahanti on you. Since then, you have been serving Bhekh day and night.
