Maneknath

Baba Maneknath was 15th century legendary Hindu saint who lived on the banks of Sabarmati river near present city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

Manek Burj

Legend

Saint Maneknath interrupted and helped Ahmad Shah I built Bhadra Fort in 1411. He wove a mat during day while the fort walls were constructed, he then unweaved the mat at night, magically crumbling down the walls. When this was discovered, he was invited to prove his powers to Ahmed Shah, by putting himself into a kettle. When he did, Ahmed Shah sealed the openings of the kettle. On the other account he helped the king to locate the site from where the construction of fort started. Under his advice the architect of city walls, Ahmad Khattu changed the layout of city. He was buried alive or took samadhi on the river island when Sabarmati river was passing through the city under Fernandez Bridge. The first quarter of the city, Manek Chowk, named after him and the memorial temple is situated there. The first bastion of the fort named after him, called Manek Burj, situated at the east end of Ellis Bridge.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The saint is revered in north and central Gujarat. Bharathari near Thasra in Kheda district also has his memorial where he is shown seated on his horse and is considered the patron saint of the village. There is a temple at Latol near Danta in Banaskantha district is located near the cave in the foothill where the saint is believed to have meditated.[7]

Descendants

Mahant Ghanshyamnath, the 12th generation descendant of the saint, performs puja and hoists the flag on Manek Burj on the foundation day of the city and Vijayadashami every year.[3][4][6]

References
  1. Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad. Government Central Press. 1879. p. 276.
  2. Desai, Anjali H., ed. (2007). India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications. pp. 93–94. ISBN 9780978951702.
  3. More, Anuj (18 October 2010). "Baba Maneknath's kin keep alive 600-yr old tradition". The Indian Express. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  4. "Flags changed at city's foundation by Manek Nath baba's descendants". The Times of India. TNN. 7 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  5. Ruturaj Jadav and Mehul Jani (26 February 2010). "Multi-layered expansion". Ahmedabad Mirror. AM. Archived from the original on 7 December 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  6. "Descendants to pay homage to Manek Baba today". The Times of India. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  7. Shastri, Parth (27 February 2011). "Ahmedabad says abracadabra". Times of India Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
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