The Matua Mahasangha, a major socio-religious Hindu sect in Bengal, has remained influential over time by maintaining a strong and organized institutional structure. This framework not only fosters religious and spiritual life among its followers but also plays a key role in shaping the community’s visibility and influence in the socio-political sphere. Even as the political landscape of Bengal continues to change, the Mahasangha has adapted its strategies to stay relevant and assertive in public life. This paper examines the structural and organizational dimensions of the Matua Mahasangha, with particular focus on its hierarchical setup, collective mobilization, and sectarian consciousness. These elements have been crucial in maintaining the sect’s unity and vitality, even as it faces internal challenges, including ongoing familial conflicts at the core of its leadership structureThis study highlights how unity, discipline, and adherence to central leadership have been key to the Matua Mahasangha’s ability to stay resilient in the face of social and political changes. By exploring the ways in which the Mahasangha maintains its organizational strength and nurtures a strong sense of sectarian identity, the paper seeks to understand its deeper sociological significance in an increasingly dynamic and shifting world.
Amlan Lahiri (Fri,) studied this question.