Nirmal Singh Maharaj

Nirmal Singh (1952–2007), popularly called Guruji by his followers, was an Indian spiritual leader. He is also known as "Nirmal Singhji Maharaj", "Guru-ji Chattarpur Wale", "Dugri Wale Guruji", and "Shukrana Guruji". His teachings emphasized the unity of all religions, inner silence, and the performance of selfless service through sangats (congregations) and langar (community meals).

Early life and education Nirmal Singh was born on 7 July 1952 in the village of Dugri in Punjab. During his youth, he spent significant time at the dera of Sant Sewa Das in Dugri. According to accounts from his followers, he displayed what were interpreted as miraculous powers during his childhood, such as allegedly filling the inkpots of fellow students by touch and escaping from locked rooms to visit the dera. These claims form part of the devotional hagiography associated with his early life, though they lack independent verification.

While his spiritual inclinations began early, Singh pursued formal education to fulfill his father's wishes. Gradually, the news of his alleged miraculous powers (including faith healing) spread across Punjab, and people would come to him to seek solutions to their problems. His devotees now call the house Chotta Mandir ("Little Temple"). At times, he also lived at a house in the Defence Colony of Jalandhar, and frequently traveled between Delhi and Jalandhar. In 2002, he settled at the Empire Estate house,

Nirmal Singh held daily sangats (congregations) that featured meditations, satsang, recitations of gurbani and shabad (hymn), and langar. photographer Raghu Rai, actor Ananya Panday and her father Chunky Pandey, actor Hema Malini, and members of the Kapoor family.

In 2023, the Empire Estate Residents Welfare Association (RWA) banned Nirmal Singh's devotees from visiting his former residence (Chotta Mandir), citing disruption and security risk to the local residents. The owner of the residence, a 70-year-old woman devotee, challenged the ban in court.