Bankhandi (1763 – 1863), commonly referred to as Baba Bankhandi Maharaj honorifically, was an Udasi missionary and saint who founded Sadh Belo in 1823. Bankhandi was a missionary and preacher of the Mihanshahi sub-sect of the Udasis.

Biography

Photograph of the temple at Sadh Belo, Sukkur, Sindh

Bankhandi, who was born as Balchandra, was originally a Gaur Brahmin said to hail from Kurukshetra (in Haryana). Other sources claim he was born as Balchand Sharma, and was originally said to hail from either Nepal or Kero Khetar near Dehli. According to Sarmukh Singh Amole, he was born in 1763 whilst other sources give a year of birth ranging from 1807–1808.

He became an Udasi missionary and belonged to the Bakhshishāṅ subsect (specifically the Mihanshahi branch). He moved to a heavily forested island in Sukkur, Sindh on the Indus River called Menak Parbat in 1823 at the age of 15. He took a liking to his newfound environment, where he established a dhuni (location for a sacred fire). There he founded Sadh Belo, which grew to become a major centre of spirituality and learning for the Udasi sect. Bankhandi established places of worship for various Indic deities, such as Annuparna, Ganesha, Shiva, and Hanuman. He also constructed places where the Guru Granth Sahib was kept. He is said to have died in 1863. A temple dedicated to him was constructed in 1899 by the eight successor (gaddi nashin), Sant Harnam Das. It remains a popular pilgrimage site today.