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TheJangam (Kannada;ಜಂಗಮರು) orJangamaru are aShaiva order of religiousmonks. They are the priests (Gurus) of theHindu Shaiva sect,[1] Gurus ofVeerashaiva sect and are disciples of Shiva as mentioned inBasava Puranas. The meaning of word Jangam is 'moving linga'. Jangama is one who is endowed with true spirit ofAgamic knowledge, and has sacrificed his life for giving Samskara (good) character building practices in all sections of the Hindu society.
Jangama is a community who are engaged in professions like priestly hood, religious preachings, some in various kings courts as advisors and some designated positions in various parts of north andsouth India. Jangams are pure vegetarians and are forbidden to touch any non vegetarian food items, including eggs.
Jangams Sages claim they originated from a part ofShiva's body. According Hinduism "Shiva wanted to give some donation toBrahma andVishnu but when they refused he became so angry that it led to his creating the Jangam Sages". TheJangam sages go from one place to another and explain the different saints the story of the holy union ofShiva and Parvati. Another version is that Shiva at his wedding created two recipients of his alms, one Jangam, from the sweat of his brow, the otherLingam, from his thigh. According to Hinduism "Shiva had blessed the Jangams with immortality (i.e., entire world is destroyed by nature or some other factors to destroyed the nature, Jangam will Live) but declared that they would live by Religious Begging inShiva temples (by priest, religious prayer, prayer for healing, and Guru) after some religious event completed by them inPrayer in Hinduism."
They known as 'Jangam' ('Jangam Sages') inHimalayas and Maharashtra, as 'Jangam Ayya' in Madhya Pradesh andGujarat, and as Swamy, Tata, in Karnataka. They also known as 'Jangam Veerashaiva Pandaram' isTamil Nadu andKerala, JangamJogi in Haryana, and JangamDeva in Andhra Pradesh. In Nepal different names given to the wandering Shivite (worshippers ofShiva) mendicants who are believed to be descendants of the original 'Jangam'. In most ofShiva temples the Jangams perform the Pooja (prayer) as perParameswarAgama. The Jangam priests may preside over all rituals however special regard is given to marriage rites inLingayatism andShaivism section ofHinduism.[2]
Jangams hold intellectual history refers to the historiography of ideas and thinkers. Jangam community were traditional religious mendicant class were considered auspicious in early time but during the colonial period were reduced to poverty. Most JangamaDevaras falls under priestly class of Agamic practices and understand difficult ideas, subjects and use knowledge to expand services as government advisors and political advisors. Jangama is one who is endowed with true spirit of Agamic knowledge, and has sacrificed his life for giving Samskaras (good) character.[3]
The Jangam people living in Tamil Nadu are actually native speakers of Telugu. They are called Linga Balija or Lingayat Balija in Andhra Pradesh, Linga Banajiga or Lingayat Banajiga in Karnataka and Linga Vadugar or Lingayat Vadugar in Tamil Nadu. Linga Balija people appoint priests from within their own community and the appointed priests are called Jangam. Jangam community is one of the subdivisions of Linga Balija.[4] The kings of Vijayanagara were waging a war to free Madurai from the clutches of the Madurai Sultans, and when they came, they brought with them a wide variety of people, including the people of Linga Balija. People of Tamil Nadu called Balija people as Vadugar and Linga Balija people as LingaVadugar. Veerashaivism was widespread in Tamil Nadu even before the Vijayanagara Empire came to Tamil Nadu. Veerashaivism or Lingayatm is not the name of a community but rather a cult. Also in Tamilnadu Saiva Vellalas who followed Veerashaivism were called pandaram. As the people of Linga Balija Jangam also followed Veerashaiva Lingaya principles, the people of Linga Balija were called by many names like Lingadari Jangamar, Lingadari Pandaram, Lingangatti Pandaram, Linga Pandaram, Linga Vadugar, Lingayat, Lingayat Naidu, Linga Balija, Linga Poo Pandaram[5][6] and then they started to call them generally as pandaram. Although both communities follow Veerashaiva Lingaya principles historically and caste wise Jangam people and pandaram people belong to different communities.
Jangam people living in Tamil Nadu follow certain rituals. The "Linga Pooja" ("Lingadharanam") and "Kula Deiva Pongal" are the main (must) ceremony in the marriage among Jangam. Most ofHindus cremate the dead, but in Jangam, the dead are buried. The dead are buried (must be) with their Ishta linga in their hand in a simple sitting cross-legged dhyana position. Unlike other Hindus, whose functions are presided by Brahmins, in jangam tradition 'Jangam Bhandari' a Head priest specifically for jangams will preside the marriage and funeral.
The Telugu-speaking Jangam people and the Tamil-speaking pandaram people belong to different sects.The pandaram people are one of the subdivisions of the Vellalar caste called themselves vellala pandaram in Tamil Nadu following Veerashaivism[7]
Jangam is the Telugu equivalent of Pandaram. Malayalam. They are said to have migrated to Kerala from Tamil Nadu but their mother tongue is Telugu, Jangam were traditionally mendicants.[8]
Veerashaivism contains two sections, one the ancient race of Veerashaiva jangam (the priests at Srisailam and Kedarnath) and the Lingayat which constitutes all different working classes who later changed their way of life as lingayatism, a sect of Hinduism. They believe in formless god in form of Ista-Linga and no other idol.The Jangam Lingayat are known asLingayath, True Shivavatari, MovableLingam, Jangam Sage, Jangama, Lingayat, Jangam Acharya inShiva temples inKarnataka.
The lingayata movement and vachanas form an integral part of Karnataka lingayata community. The main names related to the movement are Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, Akka Mahadevi, Dohara Kakkaiyya, Haralayya, Aaydakki Lakkamma and Madara Chennayya. This movement had many philosophies attached to it, example: work is worship 'kayakave kailasa', dignity of labour, gender equality, no caste discrimination, considering one's body as temple, importance to transition, change, movement (bodily worn linga) in contrast to something that is stationary (temple)- 'sthavarakkalivuntu, jangamakkalivilla'. This movement was similar to bhakti movement of vaishanava community where sharanas or jangamas wrote and sang philosophical songs inKanada language.
Jangam is a style of devotional music dedicated toShiva by Jangam community inHaryana. Their instruments are small and portable (being travellers) like dafli, khanjari, khartal. Jangam Gāyan is a narrative sung by the Jangam and is performed in the temple courtyards ofShiva temples to huge gatherings. Sometimes, there are public performances in village squares. The members of this community are wandering mendicants and earn their living mainly by performing the element inShiva temples. The Jangams are also live in Shiva the state ofHaryana in India. The community is concentrated in and aroundKurukshetra, the great battle field of the epic ofMahabharata and in the historical town of Thaneswar which has been a strong centre of the Pasupati (Shiva) tradition ofShaivism. They also live in the adjoining states ofPunjab, Rajasthan,Uttar Pradesh,Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh andJammu and Kashmir.
In the 9th century, the king Narendra Dev ofLichhivi dynasty has described the Jangam Pratishthan, which is available in stone inscription in Anantlingeshwor temple, in which he has addressed the name of the Chancellor of Jangam Pratisthan and explained rights and duties performed by them. These evidences indicate that Jangam community was present inNepal before the 9th century. The king of KarnatvanshNanyadeva became ruler ofMithila state (in Northern Bihar) by dynasty in the 11th century. During the period Veerashaiva Jangam were the Rajaguru of the King Nanya Dev. After ruling the Mithila dynasty for 240 years, King Harisingh Dev Mall became the king of Nepal Mandal and established the capital atBhaktapur City and there is a Jangam Math. Devi Tula Bhavani was the deity they worshiped and they started spreading the religion of veerashaivism in the region. WhenMalla dynasty was established in Nepal MandalVeerashaiva religion had started. It establishes thatVeerashaiva religion section ofHinduism had its roots since the 9th century. There is a stone inscription belonging to Nepali Year 692, which explains the role of Hari Singh Dev Mall of mallavansa, who renovated the Jangam math in Bhaktapur. With this, we can say that Veerashiava Religion was established inNepal in the 13th century.
Jangamwadi Math is the oldest Math among all the maths of Kashi,Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh, that is also known as Jnana Simhasana or Jnana Peetha. Jangam meansknower of Shiva, wadi meansliving place. One among the five of the holiest shrines for theVeerashaivism Lingayath religion. The documented historical records date it back to 8th CE, however, it is hard to verify the exact date. It is said that Raja Jaichand donated land for this Mutt that has seen an unbroken lineage of 86 Jagatgurus. Present Peethadhipati or the guru of the Peeth is Shri Jagadguru Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Mahaswami. the peoples with surname "Patwa" are there in uttarpradesh and in rajasthan too who are jangams
1.Akbar and the Goswamis of Jangam Bari Math of Benaras1
The Goswamis of Jangam Bari Math of Benaras belonged to the Shaivite sect of South India. This sect had various Shiva Temples atBenaras, Arial, Prayagraj andGaya. Since its foundation during sixth century A.D., this ancient Math has been enjoying imperial grants and favours. The oldest document of land grant to this math was made by a Hindu Raja, Jainanad Deo, ruler ofKashi in V.S. 631/574 A.D. of 800 paces of land in favour of its head priest Malik Arjun Jangam. Malik Arjun Jangam was the title of the head priest of this Math. This Math attracted the attention of emperorAkbar during 1566 A.D. Akbar issued a farman dated 973 A.H./1565-66 A.D. granting 480 bighas of land in the name of Arjun Jangam the head priest.
2.Jahangir's relations with Goswami's of Jangambari Math of Benaras2
Jahangir came into contact with Jangamas, when he was in revolt against his father during 45th regnal year of Akbar i.e in 1600 A.D. atAllahabad. He made Allahabad his imperial seat and acted as an independent ruler. During this period he issued a farman to Malik Arjunmal Jangam with the seal of Sultan Salim.The farman dated Mihr Ilahi 45 R.Y/September, October 1600 A.D. It was addressed to the āmils, jagirdars and karosis of pargana Haveli Banaras, confirming 178 bighas of land as grant in favour of Malik Arjunmal Jangam. It bears the seal of sultan Salim on the top. It also appears from a document that the property rights of the Jangamas were also protected by the Mughal government.
2.Aurangzeb's Relations with Goswami's of Jangambari Math of Benaras3
Aurangzeb carried on the traditions of his forefathers in granting favours toHindu religious communities, a continuity underscored by his dealings with the Jangam, a Shaivite group. The Jangam benefited fromMughals orders beginning under Akbar, who confirmed their legal rights to land in 1564. The same Jangam received several farmans from Aurangzeb that restored land that had been unfairly confiscated (1667), protected them from a disruptive local Muslim (1672), and returned illegally charged rent (1674).
Jangam or Jangama is one who is endowed with the trueknowledge, sacrificed his life for the society, and avoided all the worldly happiness and attained the divine happiness. Jangam, aSanskrit word, etymologically means that which moves. When this word applied to a person, in the context ofLingayath religion, it symbolizes a man who moves from place to place preaching moral and religious values inShaivism,Veerashaivism andJangama dhyana section ofHinduism.
Gurus of the Malas who are Vibhutidharis. They are also known as 'Shiva Nagmayya', being the worshippers of the God Shiva. They say they have five gotras (1) Nandi, (2) Vrashabha, (3) Bhrangi, (4) Yadra, (5) Sakanda.[9]
The word Beda is derived from vedh, which means to pierce or trap. They were hunters and bird-trappers and originally belong to Andhra Pradesh and settled in Karnataka where they are called Budaga Jangam. They are notified as the Beda Jangam and the Budga Jangam. Traditionally, officiating priests for some of the Holeya and Madiga communities, they are religious mendicants, soothsayers, and wage labourers as well. They are entirely different from the Jangama group of the Lingayat, a numerically dominant community in Karnataka.[10]
Jangams are divided intoVirakhtas (celibates),Samanyas (common Jangams),Ganachans (managers), andMathapatis orMatapathys (Beadles). Pancha peethadhishas represent five faces of Shiva and considered highest class of Jangams, dedicate themselves to celibacy. The Samanya Jangam is the ordinary Jangam who had the initiation performed on him. They live common life, conducts marriages, begs, serves temples or lives by agriculture. When a Jangam goes begging, he wears a garter of bells called Jang below his right knee, and carries a cobra cane.Mathapatis/Matapathys (Beadles) and Ganachans (managers) are Jangams who hold rent-free lands.
The two main categories of Jangam are (1_Sthira and 2_Chara). Sthira Jangama: is a person who, staying in math (mutt) i.e., has to carry on mass education, preaching to the people, and giving them the necessary guidance to achieve spiritual progress calledJangama dhyana, and to perform certain rituals related to birth, marriage, death and holy communication etc. Chara Jangama is one who constantly moves around, preaching as he goes, without settling at any particular place and without accumulating anyproperty of his own.
The community is distributed throughout India and also inNepal. However, they form a significant proportion of population in the southern states of India mainlyKarnataka,Maharashtra,Telangana,Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu,Madhya Pradesh,Haryana,Punjab andGujarat.
In Jangam community, the male child after the initiation (Ayyachar) will be handed over to the custody of Jangam (Guru). The child will be brought up under the shelter of Jangam (in mutt/math) and by his blessings he, too, can become a Jangam of any of the maths. Jangam priests live in ‘maths’ and guide their followers in Hindu religious and spiritual matters.
The Linga is tied to the womb in the 8th or 9th month of mother's pregnancy for the prospective child. Linga wearing ceremony to the child is thus performed before the child takes birth.
Lingayath or veerashaiva jangam worship is centred on theHindu godShiva as the universal god in the iconographic form ofIshtalinga.[11] The jangam always wear theIshtalinga held with a necklace. The Istalinga is made up of small blue-black stone coated with fine durable thick black paste of cow dung ashes mixed with some suitable oil to withstand wear and tear. TheIshtalinga is a symbolism for Shiva. It is viewed as a "living, moving" divinity with the devotee. Every day, the devotee removes this personal linga from its box, places it in left palm, offers puja and then meditates about becoming one with the linga, in his or her journey towards theatma-linga.
Veershaiva Jangams celebrate a Hindu festivals, namely,Deepavali,Shivaratri,Ugadi, Nagarpanchmai, Kollipaki Adi Jagadguru and Renukàcharya jayanti etc. Among these festivals Shivratri is an important one. On this day all elderly people observe fast and they performBhajanas (Prayer) in praise of 'Shiva'.
They wear, Linga on their body, the Linga is always cased in a silver box called 'karadige', which is tied round the neck by a thread called ‘Shivdhara' They worship the Linga daily after taking bath, smear their forehead with ‘Vibhuti' and do not touch food without offering 'Niyvedya' to the 'Istalinga’.
The Lingas are divided into two types called "Jangam Linga" and "Sthavaraa Linga". Further, Lingas are known as Jangama and Sthavara. Jangam or chara Lingas are those that appear on the neck of the Jangam Lingayats who tie a Linga to their neck to their life of Jangam. The Lingas housed in Garbhagrhas and carved on walls of temples belong to Sthvaraa Lingas as mentionedAgama shastra of Veera Saiva Theology.
Ancient JangamBurra katha or "Jangam Katha" is a special religious folk dance ofAndhra Pradesh andTelangana. Jangam Katha, is a special Dance ofAndhra Pradesh andTelangana. In the performance, the main artist (Jangams) narrates a religious Hindu story, plays music and dance on the tunes. The co-artists beat drums and speak to him, enriching certain events in the story. Currently, Jangam Katha is called asBurra katha, Tamboora Katha, Saradha Katha, and Jangamayyala kathaalu.
Verragase dance is mainly performed by the Jangams also called asMaheshwaras. Veeragase gets its name from the Hindu deityVirabhadra. The performers of this Dance are also called "Lingadevaru". It is performed inHindu temples inSouth India at important gatherings by Jangams.
Ancient "Veeragase Dance" is performed by (minimum) two artists and usually Veeragase Dance has to be an even number. The person who narrates the story take turns in the performance, progressively these stories have included the story of Virabhadra who is the other avatar ofShiva.
Jangama dhyana is a meditation technique, which has been practiced by various Jangam sages over the centuries. Jangama means 'eternal existence' and dhyana means meditation. Hence Jangama dhyana is Meditation on the Eternal Existence of the Self. Jangama dhyana is an ancient Jangam meditation technique which involves concentrating the mind and sight between the eyebrows.
Jangam Dance is an Indian folk dance performed in the honour ofShiva inHindu Temples. The term Jangam has been derived from the movable emblem ofShiva. In Jangam dance, the dancers recite verses of Girija kalyana on the mythological marriage ofSiva andParvati. The recitation is done in a ritualistic hypnotic monotone. Their dramatic presence is heightened by their headgear, a brass band with the image of a snake and peacock feathers flashing in the air.
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