Since the beginning of this world, saints have been incarnated from time to time in order to bless the human beings and connect them with the supreme power. Following this tradition, Seth Shiv Dayal Ji, respectfully addressed as Soami Ji Maharaj came into this world on August 25, 1818 at Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The sect propagated by him is known as Radha Soami.
Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj, was prominent amongst the followers of Soami Ji Maharaj. He was initiated and blessed with ‘Naam Daan’ – the five holy names by Soami Ji Maharaj in 1856. According to Soami Ji’s instructions, he joined the armed forces in November 1856 and was relieved on pension on June 7, 1889. In 1891, he started living in a simple hut in village Balsarai, presently located in district Amritsar, Punjab. From this place he started conducting ‘satsang’ (spiritual discourse) and initiating people with ‘Naam Daan’.
Baba Bagga Singh Ji Maharaj, the Founder Master of Radha Soami Dera at Tarn Taran, joined the armed forces on March 20, 1882, where he met Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj and was blessed with Naam Daan on August 1, 1883. On December 21, 1889, Baba Bagga Singh Ji Maharaj joined the supplementary armed force and came to village Chuslewar, presently located in Amritsar district of Punjab. He started living in a cave near a pond where he used to meditate day and night. At present, this cave is famous in the name of ‘Tap Sthan – The Meditation Point’ where devotees go for darshan.
On April 5, 1894, Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj visited Chuslewar, and gave written instructions to Baba Bagga Singh Ji Maharaj in front of the whole sangat (followers) to conduct satsang and give Naam Daan to people. Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj mentioned that this is as per the orders of Soami Ji Maharaj. In this way Baba Bagga Singh Ji Maharaj had started initiating people with Naam Daan during the life span of Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj.
As per the instructions of Baba Jaimal Singh Ji Maharaj, Baba Bagga Singh Ji Maharaj bought land in Tarn Taran in February 1900 for constructing the dera and started conducting satsangs. Now this dera is popularly known as ‘purana dera’. As the sangat increased, Baba Bagga Singh Ji Maharaj, responded to the need of the situation by establishing the present dera at railway road, Tarn Taran. He left for his heavenly abode on July 6, 1944.
Thereafter, on August 3, 1944, as per the instructions from Baba Bagga Singh Ji Maharaj, Baba Deva Singh Ji Maharaj was nominated as the the second Master of Radha Soami Dera Baba Bagga Singh, Tarn Taran. After Baba Deva Singh Ji Maharaj left this mortal world, Baba Partap Singh Ji Maharaj was appointed the next successor of Radha Soami Dera Baba Bagga Singh, Tarn Taran.
The formal 'tilak' ceremony of Baba Partap Singh Ji Maharaj was conducted at the Tarn Taran Dera by Baba Charan Ji Maharaj from Radha Soami Satsang, Beas on November 8, 1961. Baba Partap Singh Ji Maharaj left this world for his heavenly abode on April 26, 1988.
As per the will of Baba Partap Singh Ji Maharaj, Baba Kehar Singh Ji Maharaj was appointed as the fourth Master of Radha Soami Dera Baba Bagga Singh, Tarn Taran, on May 12, 1988.
After Baba Kehar Singh Ji Maharaj left this mortal world on December 31, 2015, as per His will, Baba Paramjit Singh Ji Maharaj, was appointed as the fifth Master of Radha Soami Dera Baba Bagga Singh, Tarn Taran on January 10, 2016. Today, under the guidance of Baba Paramjit Singh Ji Maharaj, the Dera is serving thousands of people and is progressing exponentially.