Mahant: Difference between revisions
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== Secular use == |
== Secular use == |
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In [[Chhuikhadan State]], the Mahants were the rulers of the princely state. |
In [[Chhuikhadan State]], the Mahants were the rulers of the princely state. "Mahant" is also a common surname in Assam. [[Prafulla Kumar Mahanta]] is an Assamese politician. [[Vaishnavi Mahant]] is a film and TV actress. |
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== Notes == |
== Notes == |
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Revision as of 01:30, 9 February 2018
A mahant /məˈhʌnt/ is a religious superior, in particular the chief priest of a temple or the head of a monastery.[1]
Etymology
The Hindi word mahant is from Prakrit mahanta-, from Sanskrit mahat "great".[2]
Hinduism
Other titles for the word Mahant, serving in the context of a well known religious place, include priest or pundit, being generally always a Brahmin, gyani or pastor.
In other branches of Hinduism, the mahant is an ascetic who is the head and leader of the temple and has religious Also known as Satnami's responsibilities as a preacher.[3]
Sikhism
Among Sikhs, mahants stood for hereditary managers who controlled Sikh gurdwaras until the formation of SGPC in 1920s and after Saka Nankana Sahib Massacre the keys were handed over to Sikhs.[4]
Secular use
In Chhuikhadan State, the Mahants were the rulers of the princely state. "Mahant" is also a common surname in Assam. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is an Assamese politician. Vaishnavi Mahant is a film and TV actress.
Notes
- ^ New Oxford American Dictionary (2nd ed., 2005), p. 1020.
- ^ Webster's Third New International Dictionary, p. 1361.
- ^ Raymond Brady Williams (2001). An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism. Cambridge University Press. p. 239. ISBN 052165422X.
- ^ Mahant Archived 2009-02-23 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- SGPC Glossary, "Mahant."
- WorldStatesmen India - princely States A-J