Mahant

Mahant (/məˈhʌnt/) is a religious superior, in particular the chief of a temple or the head of a monastery in Indian religions.

[3] The Hindi word mahant comes from Prakrit mahanta-, Sanskrit mahat (accusative case: mahantam) meaning "great".

[4] Other titles for the word Mahant, serving in the context of a well known religious place, include priest or pundit—generally always being a gyani or pastor.

[5] In other branches of Hinduism, the mahant is an ascetic who is the head and leader of the temple and has religious responsibilities as a preacher.

After the creation of the SGPC and the Nankana massacre involving Mahant Narayan Das, a law was passed handing over gurdwaras to reformer Sikhs.