Bhai Almast (26 August 1553 – 1643), also known as Alimata, Godaria, or Kambaliya,[1] was a Sikh preacher, leader of a branch of the Udasi Sampradaya, and the elder brother of Bhai Balu Hasna, another prominent preacher of the Udasi sect.[2] He was one of the four Adi-Udasis.[3][4] His missionary centre was active in eastern India, such as a Puri, and in the Nanakmatta region of what is now Uttarakhand.[1][5] He was also evangelizing later in his life in Sindh. He was active in the 17th century.[3]
Bhai Almast | |
|---|---|
| Personal life | |
| Born | Alu 26 August 1553 |
| Died | 1643 (aged 89–90) |
| Parent(s) | Pt. Hardatt (father) Mai Prabha (mother) |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Sikhism |
| Sect | Udasi |
| Religious career | |
| Based in | Nanakmatta |
| Predecessor | Baba Gurditta |
| Successor | Bhai Natha (in Dhaka) |
Early life
editAlmast was born on 26 August 1553 in a Gaur Brahmin family of Srinagar (Kashmir) to Bhai Hardatt and Mai Prabha.[6][5] He had a younger brother named Balu.[5] His birth name was Alu, but due to his inclination towards mysticism and disinterest in the secular world, he became known as Almast, which means "in a state of ecstasy." He was also referred to as Kambalia or Godaria because of his basic attire consisting of a kambal (blanket) or godari (quilt).[5]
In his youth, Alu departed from his home to pursue spirituality. In 1574, he arrived at Dera Baba Nanak, where he became a disciple of Sri Chand, the founder of the Udasi sect and the son of Guru Nanak. Almast served at the mausoleum of Guru Nanak (known as a dehurā) and looked after goats. He became known by the Almast moniker while living at Dera Baba Nanak. Baba Gurditta, the eldest son of Guru Hargobind, later appointed Bhai Almast to spread the message of Guru Nanak in the eastern regions of the Indian subcontinent.[5]
Career
editIn 1615, Bhai Almast established a shrine, known as Mangu Math in Puri (Odisha) to mark Guru Nanak's visit to the Jagannath temple. In 1633, he shifted to Nanakmatta, where Guru Nanak had a discourse with Nath yogis, discovering the former Sikh site had been confiscated by the yogis, who destroyed the Sikh shrine and burnt down the pipal tree that Nanak is said to have held his discussions with the yogis under. Bhai Almast asked help from Guru Hargobind, who restored the original Sikh shrine and is believed to have rejuvenated the pipal tree through miraculous means in June 1634.[5]
Missionary work
editDeath
editSee also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 Kapoor, Satish K. (7 November 2020). "The Udasi Tradition". eSamskirit (originally published in the Bhavan’s Journal, 15 May 2014 issue). Retrieved 11 April 2026.
- ↑ Singh, Harbans (1992–1998). The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Vol. 4. Patiala: Punjabi University, Patiala. p. 377. ISBN 0-8364-2883-8. OCLC 29703420.
- 1 2 Grewal, Jagtar Singh (1998). The Sikhs of the Punjab (revised ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 117.
- ↑ Kaur, Madanjit. "UDĀSĪ". Encyclopedia of Sikhism (Online Edition). Punjabi University, Patiala. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Padam, Piara Singh. "ALMAST, BHĀĪ (1553-1643)". Encyclopedia of Sikhism. Punjabi University, Patiala. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ Singh, Harbans (1992). The Encyclopedia Of Sikhism Vol. I. Punjabi University, Patiala. p. 85-86. ISBN 81-7380-100-2.
- ↑ Singh, Bhupender (2022-12-23). BABA NANAK SHAH FAKIR. Blue Rose Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5704-660-2.
- ↑ "Gurudwara Almast Sahib - Nanakmata - World Gurudwaras". www.worldgurudwaras.com. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
- 1 2 3 Kalhoro, Zulfiqar Ali (14 December 2018). "Udasi Sikh Saints of Sindh". Originally published on The Friday Times, republished on Academia.edu.
- ↑ Dhillon, Dalbir Singh (1988). Sikhism: Origin and Development. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. p. 137.