Bhagwa dhwaj
The bhagwa dhwaj (Marathi: भगवा ध्वज, romanized: bhagvā dhvaj, lit. 'saffron flag') is a saffron-colour flag used primarily in Hinduism. It can be triangular, rectangular, or featuring a double pennant, often with tassels. It can also be adorned with Hindu religious symbols, such as the Om letter or a Hindu swastika.
Design | Flag of the Maratha Empire with a double pennant. |
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Saffron is considered a sacred colour also in Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism[1] and saffron flags may be seen outside places of worship in these religions.
After the decline of Islamic rule in India, the saffron flag was adopted as the flag of the Maratha Empire. It has been described as "swallow-tailed and of a deep saffron color emblematic of the followers of god Mahādeva".[2]
In modern times, variations of a saffron flag were adopted by Hindu nationalist organisations – the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha in 1915 and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 1925;[3] the saffron flag is believed to be a guru, or supreme authority, in the latter.[4][5]
References
- "What is the flag outside the gurdwara?". World Sikh Organization of Canada. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- Lord Egerton of Tatton (18 January 2013) [1880]. Indian and Oriental Arms and Armour. Courier Dover Publications. pp. 171–. ISBN 978-0-486-14713-0.
- Anand, Arun (19 July 2021). "Why the saffron flag is revered as 'guru' & worshipped by RSS swayamsevaks". The Print. Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- Chitkara, M.G. (2004). Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh National Upsurge. APH Publishing Company. pp. 175–197. ISBN 81-7648-465-2.
- "जानिए क्यों है राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ का गुरु 'भगवा ध्वज'..." Panchjanya. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.