Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{205145,
        author = {Dr. Archana Baudh},
        title = {A Comparative and Historical Study of the Concept of Guru Gaddi in the Nirguna Saint Tradition and the Satnam Panth of Chhattisgarh},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {5451-5456},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=205145},
        abstract = {In India's Nirguna (Formless) Saint Tradition, saints such as Kabir, Ravidas, and Nanak established the concept of the “Word as Guru” (Shabd Guru) in place of idol worship. This tradition later evolved in Sikhism through the enthronement of the Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Guru and in the Kabir Panth and Ravidas Panth through the establishment of spiritual seats (Guru Gaddis) of religious leaders. In the Buddhist tradition, the concept of the Dhamma Seat also recognized the Guru’s seat of knowledge and authority. In the Satnam Panth of Chhattisgarh, Guru Ghasidas established the Guru Gaddi at Bhandarpuri. In opposition to the feudal and caste-based social order that prohibited Dalits from entering temples, this Guru Gaddi became a center for the worship of the formless Satnam. Instead of idols, a white flag is worshipped here, symbolizing the rejection of Brahmanical rituals and ceremonial practices. For the Satnami community, Guru Gaddi worship has served as an instrument of socio-political resistance. Collective decision-making before the Jaitkham, the Satnami Rebellion of 1860, and a parallel system of justice functioning alongside caste panchayats were all associated with this institution. Thus, Guru Gaddi worship is not merely a religious ritual but an autonomous spiritual authority created by marginalized communities. By carrying forward the tradition of spiritual leadership from ancient times, it promotes the democratic values of the saint tradition and serves as a symbol of cultural resistance against feudalism and caste domination.},
        keywords = {Guru Gaddi, Saint Tradition, Satnam Panth, Indus Valley Civilization, Sikhism, Buddhism, Kabir Panth, Raidas Panth.},
        month = {June},
        }