Sant Mekan Dada or Mekan baba (1667–1730 AD) was a

Sufi Sufism ( ar, ''aṣ-ṣūfiyya''), also known as Tasawwuf ( ''at-taṣawwuf''), is a mystic body of religious practice, found mainly within Sunni Islam but also within Shia Islam, which is characterized by a focus on Islamic spirituality, ...

saint from Kutch, Gujarat, India.

Biography

Mekan Dada it is said was born in 1667 ( Vikram Samvant 1723). He spent his life traveling across the Rann of Kutch, doing this humanitarian services. In his late life he established himself in

Dhrang Dhrang or Dhrung is a small village located in Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. The village is on border to Pakistan. The other known village nearby is Lodai. The village is known and famous for Samadhi of Sant Mekan Dada and h ...

, in V.S. 1786. He spent his whole life in Rann of Kutch, looking after survivors and people lost in desert and serving them food, water and shelter. His two partners were "Laliyo", the Donkey and "Motiyo", the dog. He would load "Laliyo"-donkey with water and food and the "Motiyo" was trained by him to direct the "Laliyo" to travelers lost in great desert of Kutch. Thus they would provide water, food and direction to the hungry, thirsty and lost travelers and nomads passing through the Rann of Kutch. He was also a good poet and composed several hymns based on the Hindu philosophy. Today he is worshipped as the re-incarnation of Lakshman by the

Ahir Ahir or Aheer are a community of traditionally non-elite pastoralists in India, most members of which identify as being of the Indian Yadav community because they consider the two terms to be synonymous. The Ahirs are variously described as a ...

community. He also had five disciples with him, who religiously followed him and along with Sant Mekan Dada did the humanitarian services, as explained above. Rao Desalji was also a great follower of Mekan Dada. He used to preach villagers and his followers also. He preached against untouchability and superstitions. The Sant Mekan Dada later took a Samadhi along with his eleven followers in

village. The Samadhis are one of the most revered sites of Kutch and people of all communities go there to pay their respects and offer prayers. Name of one of his eleven disciples, who took samadhi with Mekan Dada are Mayagarji, Lirbai, Kandha Ahir, Vigha Ahir, Kanthad Suthar, Premji Ganpat, Surdasji, Thakor Mokaji, Jada Khiyaranji Loria, Kadia Kanji, Prema bai. His samadhi along with that of his faithful friend ''Motiya'', the dog and ''Lalia'', the donkey, at

Dhrung Dhrang or Dhrung is a small village located in Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. The village is on border to Pakistan. The other known village nearby is Lodai. The village is known and famous for Samadhi of Sant Mekan Dada and h ...

, a village about 40 km from Bhuj. Other two disciples Hira Harijan at Lodai and Waghoji Rampotro at Vijayasar also took Samadhi when heard news.

Samadhi memorial

The memorial houses his Samadhi Temple, a Temple of Shiva, Samadhis of his five disciples, samadhi of his animal friends "Laliyo"- the donkey and "Motiyo" - the dog, an old ' Vaav'. Also on display are the robes he wore and things he used during his lifetime.

Makadbanth Kapdi

Makadbanth Kapdi are a sect, who are followers of Mekan Dada, and are the most recent sect of

Kapdi Kapadi, also known as Kapdi is a small community in Gujarat. History The Kapadi Sampradaya claim to be descendants of Lalu Jasraj, the guide of the Hindu deity Rama, or either claim to be descendants of Rama's army as they marched through the d ...

community.

Mekan Dada Fair

A fair is held in Dhrang village, in memory of Mekan Dada on

Mahashivratri Maha Shivaratri ( IAST: Mahāśivarātri) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance called Tandava. In every month of the luni-solar Hindu ...

, named ''Mekan Dada Fair''. This is an annual event and Gujarat Tourism Department also organises "Kutch Festival" during this fair. This fair is also famous for its rural tradition of old times -"Malla-Akhado" (wrestling) and "Renkda-Daud" (Cart Racing). This 'Mekand Dada Fair' is a major event and centre of tourist attraction in Kutch, Gujarat State of India.All roads leads in remembrance of Mekan Dada
Tridiv Vaidya, TNN, The Times of India, 25 February 2006.State Events: Guajarat: Dharang Fair
Zee News

References

External links

Mekan Dada, Samadhi shrine
at wikimapia {{DEFAULTSORT:Mekan Dada, Sant 1730 deaths People from Kutch district 1667 births Indian social reformers 17th-century Indian scholars Hindu saints