Matua Mahasangha
The Thakurbari Temple of the Matua Mahasangha | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 50 millions | |
| Founder | |
| Harichand Thakur | |
| Religions | |
| Hinduism | |
| Languages | |
| Sacred Bengali and Sanskrit Holy Book Adi-Rigveda Majority Bengali | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Namasudras |
The Matuaism (Bengali: মতুয়া মহাসংঘ) is a Hindu reform movement that originated around 1860 AD in modern-day Bangladesh. Today, it has a considerable number of adherents both in Bangladesh and in West Bengal, India.
The Matua movement originated among the Namasudras, an avarna (outcaste) community of Bengali Hindus, founded by the followers of Harichand Thakur. The teachings of Harichand, also known as Matuaism, emphasise the importance of education for the upliftment of the population, while also providing a formula for ending social conflict.
Members of the Matua Mahasangha believe in Swayam-Dikshiti ("Self-Realisation") through harinaam, the chanting of the holy name of Hari (God). Harichand stressed the congressional chanting of God's name as the sole means to mukti (liberation). In Bengali, this is known as hariname matoara, giving rise to the name "Matua".