Interpreting Satya-Pir Worship As A Symbol of Hindu-Muslim Unity

Abstract

Satya Pir worship is one of the popular religious beliefs and practices that crept into the fold of both Hindu and Muslim religions. Satyanarayana of Hindus and Pir of Muslims combinedly gave birth to a new cult known as Satya Pir cult for the welfare of both the communities. Satya means Vishnu in Sanskrit; and Pir means a preceptor or Fakir who has founded a religious sect in Persia. Muslim Fakirs like Bishops of Europe exercised great influence on Odishan culture since the Muslim conquest of Odisha in 1568 CE. From linguistic point of view, this worship is famous because mixed songs and dialects (Persian, Bengali and Odia) are used in Pala and Pir worship. The worship of Satya-Pir is prevalent in Bengal, Punjab, Mysore, Madras, Central Province and other parts of India. But, it is prominent in Orissa. There are nearly 40 Satya-Pir shrines in the length and breadth of Odisha.

Satya Pir worship is one of the popular religious beliefs and practices that crept into the fold of both Hindu and Muslim religions. Satyanarayana of Hindus and Pir of Muslims combinedly gave birth to a new cult known as Satya Pir cult for the welfare of both the communities. Satya means Vishnu in Sanskrit; and Pir means a preceptor or Fakir who has founded a religious sect in Persia. It now means a monk in Odisha. Muslim Fakirs like Bishops of Europe exercised great influence on Odishan culture since the Muslim conquest of Odisha in 1568 CE. We get proof of this from book Sek Subhodaya written in the 18^th century. There are three songs of mixed dialect (Persian, Bengali and Odia) which are the oldest examples of Pir worship.¹