Sashia Maharaj

During my time in Pipra Purba and other nearby villages, I met the Khatwe people. A man led my friend and me to a community of Khatwe, consisting of about 35 houses. A Khatwe man was sitting outside but neither I nor my friend who spoke Nepali could understand him. He spoke Maithili, the local language.

Most Khatwe spoke only Maithili. In conversation, I asked a question in English, then my friend translated it into Nepali for a young man who spoke both Nepali and Maithili, who then asked the Khatwe man my question. I was quite the process but we made it work! We learned that the Khatwe are all Hindu and their population is spread out throughout the village, but often grouped in communities. Hoping to get a better idea of their culture and beliefs, I asked what gods they worshipped. The Khatwe man told us that they worship all gods in Hinduism. He said that they often worshipped Durga, and had a temple for her nearby.

Our conversation seemed to be coming to an end so I asked one final question.

“Is there anything special about your people group that you’d like to share with me?”

The Khatwe man paused and smiled. He proceeded to speak for a very long time about a man named Sashia Maharaj. Apparently, Maharaj saved the Khatwe caste hundreds of years ago when Muslims were attempting to kill them, take their land, and convert them to Islam. During the 12th-16th century, Muslims conquests in the Indian subcontinent occurred. They travelled from Pakistan through the Indus River Valley to get to places like Nepal.

Maharaj is worshipped by the Khatwe people only. He has been worshipped by their ancestors and the story has been passed down for generations.

Legend has it that Maharaj had three bothers; and therefore, the Khatwe have three means of worship to this god.

1. An offering of rice and milk
2. Sacrificing goats
3. Offering flowers

It is believed that Maharaj dwells in the homes of Khatwe. Each home has a small area to worship.

Throughout my time in the Saptari district, I met more Khatwe people and heard many stories of Sashia Maharaj, often different from the first story. In a separate village, the Khatwe said that Maharaj was a king who fought with another king named Lukashri. The two kings battled and Maharaj won. Out of fear, Lukashri’s people (the Khatwe) ran from Maharaj. He eventually caught them, and instead of killing them, he gave them gifts and then they were released.

A separate tale was that Maharaj saved the Khatwe from being kidnapped on a train.

We may ever know the true story of Sashia Maharaj, but tradition is tradition! The Khatwe claim to worship him for the rest of their lives and stories of him will be passed on from generation to generation.