Modh

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Modh is a nyat (community) of merchants (banias) who originated from Modhera in Gujarat in 10th–11th century CE. The residents of Modhera migrated to other parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra states to towns such as Surat, Bulsar, Navsari, Mandvi, Baruch, Ankaleshwar, Billimora, Chkhli, Gandevi, Dharampur, Bombay, Varanasi etc. Original natives of Modh be they Brahmins, Kshtriyas etc are all referred as Modhs . Modh are further divided into Dasha and Visha like any other Gujrati nyat. While Dasa Modhs are essentially in business. Visha Modhs are called as "GOWBHUJA". Refence is made in Ramayan that during fight between Viswamitra and Vashisht muni - On Order of Vashisth muni Sabala cow created an army from her arms to defend herself & ashram of Vashist muni and the descendents of these soldiers are also referred to as 'Gowbhuja'. Visha Modhs are in Land & Jewellary Business. In the past century, some Modhs have migrated to countries such as East Africa, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, and the gulf countries.

Famous Modhs include

The Modhs are Vaishnava Hindus or occasionally Jains.

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[edit] Modh Jains

The spiritual advisor to Mahatama Gandhi's mother was Modh Jain monk Becharji Swami. At his suggestion, Gandhi's mother asked him to promise that he would not eat meat in England, before she gave her consent to him going to England to study law.

There was a Modh Vasahika (Jain monastery) at Dhandhuka where the guru of Acharya Hemachandra stayed. There exist some historical Jain temples that were built by Modh merchants. About 500 Jain temples were built by a Modh Seth Paja in Samvat 1139 at Wadhwan.[2]

Since the number of Modh Jains has declined in the past few centuries, they have joined the nav-nat Jain community.

[edit] Modh Vaishnavas

Modh vaishnavas worship Amba Maa or Modheshwari Mata. While they have become citizens of their adopted countries, they still maintain close contact with the relatives and friends in India. Many Modhs living in and outside Gujarat have become followers of Pushti Marg Vaishnav sampraday started by Srimad Vallabhacharya. Smt Kokilaben Ambani is de-facto Chairman of Nathdwara Temple Trust Board which manages the Temple Town of Shrinathji (Nathdwara) Rajasthan.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency 1896, Printed at the Govt. Central Press, p.191
  2. ^ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency 1896, Printed at the Govt. Central Press, p.693
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