Mahaguru Falgunanda: Life, Legacy and Reforms

Mahaguru Falgunanda Lingden: Life, Legacy and Honors

The 141st birth anniversary of Kirat religious leader Mahaguru Falgunanda is being observed on Tuesday through various programs.

He was born on Kartik 25, 1942 BS in a simple family in Ilam. He made significant contributions to the protection and promotion of Kirat religion, language, script, customs, culture, and social reform.

For social reform, he formulated guiding principles known as Satya Dharma Muchulka, issued on Baisakh 24, 1988 BS.

National Recognition and Observance

Mahaguru Falgunanda, who contributed to Kirat social reform through the formulation and implementation of these principles, passed away in 2005 BS.

In recognition of his contribution, the Government of Nepal declared him a National Luminary on Mangsir 16, 2066 BS.

Falgunanda Jayanti is observed especially in the eastern hill districts with significant Kirat settlements, including Taplejung, Tehrathum, Panchthar, Ilam, and Jhapa, among others.

According to Kirat Jyotish Sangh Chairperson Chandrakumar Sherma, Kirat communities in Kathmandu also mark Mahaguru Falgunanda Jayanti with various programs.

Revival of Kirat Faith, Culture and Values

Mahaguru Falgunanda Lingden was born at a time when Kirat religious philosophy, language, script, customs, and culture were at risk.

He guided Kirat communities away from harmful practices and toward a disciplined spiritual and social path based on truth, peace, non-violence, pure food, pure conduct, and good deeds.

His teachings are followed as a path of truth, peace, and non-violence, and he is revered as a source of spiritual guidance. Kirat followers honor him as Muhinggum Angsimang.

Early Life

Mahaguru Falgunanda was born in Chukchinamba village, Mangsebung Rural Municipality-2, Ilam, on Kartik 25, 1942 BS, a Sunday.

He was born into a modest farming family. After the death of his mother in his childhood, his father remarried, and he grew up under the care of his stepmother.

He spent his early years herding cattle and goats, walking through forests, hills, and streams. He was calm, fond of solitude, spoke little, and lived a quiet childhood.

For some years, he stayed with his uncle and aunt. Later, he built a small hut in Lechebung Bari and lived separately. Due to financial hardship, he survived by digging and eating wild roots and tubers such as bhyakur and tarul.

At the age of eight, according to his biography, a divine figure appeared to him in his sleep, called him, and led him to bathe in the Maikhola. Near Khatrapka stream, under a Lampate tree, the divine figure symbolically planted seeds near his feet, from which a vine grew and bound him until he could not move. When instructed to seek forgiveness from his mother, the weight was lifted, and the vine disappeared. This experience is described as a turning point in his life.

Life of Simplicity and Discipline

Mahaguru Falgunanda remained a lifelong brahmachari.

He is described as having moved about in distinctive attire, including women’s dress and ornaments, speaking softly, following a vegetarian diet, living simply, traveling constantly, and sharing knowledge and virtues.

Items used by him, including wooden sandals, hair, tongs, trident, and sickles, are preserved at Mahaguru-era Manghims.

Names and Honorifics

His birth name was Naradhoj. As earlier children in the family had died young, an iron bangle was placed on him for protection, following traditional belief. Because of this, he came to be called Falam Singh.

Over time, he became known by several honorifics and names, including:

• DhyanÄ«

• TapaswÄ«

• Satyahangma

• Mahaguru

• Falam Singh

• Muhinggum Angsimang

• National Luminary

Satya Dharma Muchulka and Social Reform

To address distortions and harmful practices in Kirat society, Mahaguru Falgunanda convened leaders, dignitaries, and intellectuals of Limbuwan.

On Baisakh 24, 1988 BS, at Labrekuti in Panchthar, he gathered representatives from 10 Limbu regions and 17 Thums, including Subbas, Suwangis, Karbaris, and scholars, and formulated the seven-point Satya Dharma Muchulka.

This charter:

• Affirmed Kirat Mundhum, language, script, customs, and culture.

• Guided society toward equality, non-violence, peace, and nature worship.

• Called for ending discrimination between sons and daughters.

• Opposed dowry and exploitative marriage practices.

• Urged that Mangsewa (worship), rituals, weddings, and purification rites avoid animal sacrifice and killing.

• Directed that offerings for the deceased avoid alcohol and meat, and emphasized observing mourning and purity rules with discipline.

• Encouraged vegetarian living and restraint in the use of alcohol and meat.

• Stressed ending gender, caste, and class-based discrimination.

• Emphasized mother-tongue education, establishment of Manghims and schools, simple lifestyle, high thinking, productivity, and self-reliance.

• Called for upholding world peace and human unity.

• Insisted on recording Mundhum in written form to preserve it, as it had long been maintained only orally.

Satya Dharma Muchulka became the foundation for recognizing him as a reformer and later for his declaration as a National Luminary.

Pilgrimage and Kumbhakarna (Foktanglung) as Sacred Site

Mahaguru Falgunanda identified the Kumbhakarna mountain range in Taplejung’s Foktanglung Rural Municipality as a sacred pilgrimage and liberation site for Kirat followers.

In 1993 BS, he is credited with opening the way for pilgrimage to Senchei Foktanglung (Kumbhakarna range). On his first journey, he reached the foothills, performed major rituals, and returned.

In 1995 BS, he built a dharmashala at Parungtembe during his visit to Foktanglung.

Establishment of Kirat Manghims

Mahaguru Falgunanda Lingden initiated the construction of Kirat Manghims (temples) in various regions.

Key establishments include:

• In 1985 BS, district Manghim at Labrekuti-8, Chokmagu-3, Panchthar.

• Kirat Sangsen Warak Chotlung Manghim and Satrathum Goshwari Yuma Manghim at Labrekuti in 1988 BS.

• In 1986 BS, Kirateshwar Hangsama Manghim (Kirat Hangsama Falgunanda Manghim) at Chukchinamba Gairigaun Ivang, Ilam.

• In 1997 BS, Kirat Hangsama Manghim at Nigura, Taplejung.

• Kirat Nambhunyak Manghim at Silauti, Panchthar.

• Kabeli Manghim at Sablaghu, Taplejung.

• Kirat Hangsama Namgenyak Manghim at Jitpur, Ilam.

• A dharmashala at Foktanglung Parungtembe in 1995 BS.

• Silauti Kuti at Ranitar, Panchthar, in 1995 BS.

• Additional Manghims established in Bhutan.

Through these, he strengthened religious, cultural, and institutional foundations within Kirat communities.

Lasting Contribution

Mahaguru Falgunanda:

• Redirected Kirat society from harmful customs toward a disciplined, ethical, and spiritually grounded way of life.

• Systematized social Mundhum and uplifted Kirat identity, culture, and script.

• Advocated truth, peace, non-violence, and unity.

• Opposed caste, class, and gender discrimination.

• Promoted simple living, productive and skills-based work, and priority for mother-tongue education.

He became a guiding light for Kirat civilization at a time of cultural decline and dedicated his life to building a civilized and cultured society. He traveled to various parts of Nepal and abroad to spread these ideals.

Statues and Memorial Sites

Statues of Mahaguru Falgunanda have been erected in various locations.

Formally, the first institutional statues were unveiled on the same day, Kartik 25, 2061 BS, at Damak in Jhapa and at the Bhanjyang of Mangsebung in Ilam.

Subsequently, statues were installed at:

• Chokmagu Labrekuti, Phidim Municipality, Panchthar

• Athrai Sankranti Bazaar, Tehrathum

• Beldangi, Damak Municipality, Jhapa

• Shantinagar, Buddha Shanti Rural Municipality

• Ravibazar and Tumbeva in Miklajung Rural Municipality, Panchthar

• Feden, Panchthar

• Pathibhara area (Mukkumlung), Taplejung

• Tandi, Miklajung Rural Municipality, Morang

• Kerabari and Letang in Morang

• Bharoul in Sunsari

• Tagera Ningwabhu Kopiyak Manghim at Sangu-6, Foktanglung Rural Municipality, Taplejung

• Khejenim in Foktanglung Rural Municipality

On the occasion of his 138th birth anniversary, a statue of Mahaguru Falgunanda at Phungling Bazaar, Taplejung district headquarters, was prepared for unveiling as Muhinggum Angsimang Lingden Atmananda Seing and Muhinggum Angsimamang Samba Pavitrahang.

State Honors and Annual Commemorations

Mahaguru Falgunanda Lingden has been honored by the state as a National Luminary.

In his name:

• A postage stamp of Rs. 15 has been issued.

• A brief biography has been included in the national curriculum.

• On Mangsir 16, 2066 BS, the Government of Nepal formally declared him a National Luminary.

• Kirat religious organizations declared his birth anniversary on Baisakh 24, 2071 BS, as a Kirat festival day.

Each year, the following are observed in his honor:

• Kartik 25: Birth Anniversary

• Chaitra 22: Memorial Day

• Baisakh 24: Social Reform Day

The road section from Damak in Jhapa through Mangsebung in Ilam to Chisopani Panchami and Ravi in Panchthar has been named Falgunanda Marg.

Mahaguru Muhinggum Angsimang Lingden Falgunanda passed away on Chaitra 22, 2005 BS, at the age of 63, at Hangyak below Silauti in Phidim Municipality, Panchthar.