Khodidas Manor

His ancestors were engaged in the vegetable trade. The Ismailis of Bhavnagar were also involved in the same trade, and therefore Khodidas Manordas frequently came into contact with Ismaili merchants. He often engaged in enthusiastic discussions on religious matters with his acquaintances. It is said that Khodidas also used to visit the Haveli (Poshal)—a religious place of the Imamshahi sect, where religious ceremonies and the recitation of ginans were conducted.

Khodidas observed that the Ismailis also recited ginans, and he believed that the compositions of ginans were the distinct religious heritage of his own Imamshahi community. Therefore, he began asking the Ismailis questions to find answers to some of his doubts. Eventually, members of the Ismaili community introduced him to Vazir Isabhai Nanji Hirani, with whom he held further discussions. Vazir Isabhai provided him with a copy of the Ismaili prayer known as the Asal Dua. In this prayer, Khodidas found numerous passages that closely resembled those found in Imamshahi prayers. He studied the text carefully and soon began regularly reciting the Dua. Khodidas developed a deep longing to recognize and attain the true Imam.

After some time, his brothers Ramjibhai Magnalal and Jethalal also joined him. As religious changes were occurring from Pirana, Khodidas’ faith in the Ismaili faith (Satpanth tradition) grew stronger. He began regularly performing Dua and Bandagi in a separate house, and members of his family also joined him.

In 1903, Bhagat Khodidas and his younger brother Magan Manordas had the honour of meeting Hazarat Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah (A.S.) and receiving the Imam’s Didar. After this blessed encounter, their faith in the Satpanth tradition became firmly established.

In 1913, they formally took the Bay‘at of the Imam and accepted him as their spiritual leader. Some members of their family opposed this step, but Khodidas remained steadfast in his faith. Along with him, Ranchhoddas Kuberadas, Dhuda Ogha, Vanarsidas Magnalal, Mukhi Bhudhardas, Khimalal, and Narmadashankar, among others, also maintained their belief and devotion within the Ismaili community.

This small group began meeting frequently with Vazir Isabhai Nanji and many other Ismailis. Missionary Sharifbhai, Mukhi Jamalbhai, and Missionary Jamal Meghji Virji also provided them with guidance in religious matters. Thus, Khodidas became the founding figure of the Gupti Jamat of Bhavnagar. At that time, his son Parmanandas was five years old.

All Pictures and article collected from Animesh Andharia Grand son of Vazir Parmananddas and Rai Saheb Aminkumar Andharia son of Vazir Parmananddas Andharia