Sevalal Maharaj


Sant Sevalal Maharaj was an Indian socio-religious reformer and is now revered by the Banjara community as a spiritual guru. He was a disciple of Jagadamba and was celibate throughout his life.
Sevalal died at Ruhiyagad and was buried at Pohra in Washim district, now in the state of Maharashtra. His tomb still stands there, adjacent to a temple dedicated to Jagadamba. Although he was opposed to personality cults and rituals, it is a popular destination for Banjaras at Hindu festivals such as Diwali. Similar adjacent temples dedicated to Sevalal and to Jagadamba exist elsewhere and also attract worshippers in significant numbers.
A temple has been recently built in Surgondankoppa village, near Nyamathi Taluk, in Davangere district, Karnataka.

Philosophical principals

He stated 22 major principles for Banjara life, known as the Seva Bollies:
Sevalal have been a man of exemplary truthfulness, courage, concerned, humanitarian, disciplined, meditative, a great musician, a rationalist who fought against superstition, and a benighted devotee of Sheetala and Sati Devi includes Jagadamba.
The colonial British administrators also quote his stories, but they place him in the 18th century and identify his original name as Siva Rathod.

Folk songs

There are folk songs praising Sevalal that are popular during Banjara festivities.