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Rajasthan Current Affairs Yearbook-2019
Ancient, Medieval and Modern History of Rajasthan
Art, Culture and Heritage of Rajasthan
Polity and Administration of Rajasthan
Lok Devta & Devis of Rajasthan
Rajasthan has a strong tradition of venerating righteous warriors as deities. Legends and anecdotes relate folk deities with supernatural power impressing & evoking faith and beliefs of people in these local deities. This post is an attempt to consolidate information of such folk deities (Lok Devtas and Devis) into single piece.
Panchpir: Of the numerous lok
devtas and devis, the five greatest are worshipped throughout theRajasthan, these are – Goga Ji, Ramdevji, Pabuji, Mehaji and
Harbuji. (Note: Vir Tejaji is not part of this).
Goga Ji
| Birth | 1003 A.D. at Dadrewa in the Churu district of Rajasthan | |
| Legend | Protects from Snakes bites (Jaharpeer) Saint Gogaji fought with Mahmood Gajnavi for protection Of cows. | |
| Died (Samadhi) | Gogamedi in Hanumangarh District | |
| Worship | Main Temple: Gogamedi, built by King Ganga Singh. The villages in Rajasthan has a Than dedicated to him, Than is always under Khejri tree. | |
| Fairs | Organised every year at Gogamedi from 9th day of dark-half (Krishna Paksh) of Bhadra month to eleventh of the month. | |
| Phad | Musical Instruments – Damru & Madal Farmers tie 9 Knot – Goga Rakhadi – to their plough for good harvest. | |
| Other Facts | ||
| Goga Ji identification – Blue Horse, Spear and Snake |
Teja Ji
| Birth | 1074 A.D. at Khadnaal in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. Day was Magh Shukla Chaturdashi |
| Legend | Also Known as Snake Diety. Tejaji sacrificed life while recovering cows of Lachha Gujri from cluthes of meenas. Kala & Bala – benefactor in agricultural activities. |
| Worship | Tejaji’s major Than are located at Sursura, Beawar, Saindaria & Bhanwata in Ajmer district. Saindaria – Main place – as this is supposed to be place he was bitten by snake. |
| Fairs | Parbatsar, Nagaur cattle fair is organized from Bhadra Shukla Dashmi to Poornima. |
| Other Facts | Tejaji Ji identifications – Horse-back, with Sword and Snake |
Pabu Ji
| Birth | 1239 A.D. at Kolu Village, Phalodi in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. |
| Legend | Associated with Rathore family of Marwar. Snake Diety. Tejaji sacrificed life while recovering cows of Lachha Gujri from cluthes of meenas. Kala & Bala – benefactor in agricultural activities. |
| Worship | Tejaji’s major than are located at Sursura, Beawar, Saindaria & Bhanwata in Ajmer district. Saindaria – Main place – as this is supposed to be place he was bitten by snake. |
| Fairs | Parbatsar, Nagaur cattle fair is organized from Bhadra Shukla Dashmi to Poornima. |
| Other Facts | Tejaji Ji identifications – Horse-back, with Sword and Snake |
Ramdev Ji
| Birth | Undookasmer Village, Shiv Tehsil in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. |
| Legend | After giving away Pokhran in dowry for his niece Ramdev Ji made Runicha (Ramdevra) his new residence. |
| Died (Samadhi) | Runicha, Jaisalmer |
| Worship | Temples located at Runicha (Jaisalmer), Barathia (Ajmer) and Suratkheda (Chittorgarh). Ramdevji started Kamadia Panth. As symbol, his pagaliya (Foot prints) are worshipped. |
| Fairs | Runicha (Jaisalmer) – Bhadrapada Shukla Dwitya to Ekadashi. |
| Other Facts | Terah Taali dance is presented by kamadias. Ramdev ji composed – Chaubis Vaniya. |
Dev Narayan Ji
| Birth | 1233 A.D. at Kolu Village, Phalodi in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. |
| Legend | The brave warrior and his Sadhak are considered incarnation of lord Vishnu. |
| Worship | Devmali near Asind (Bhilwara), Devdham Jodhpuria (Tonk). Leaves of Neem are essential for worship. |
| Fairs | Fairs are held at Ajmer, Bhilwara and Tonk & Chittaurgarh on Bhadrapad Shukla Shasthi & Saptami. |
| Other Facts | Leeelagar is name of his horse. |
Veer Kalla Ji
| Birth | Vikram Samvat 1601, Merta in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. |
| Legend | Kallaji is famous as “Lok Devta with four hands” |
| Worship | Ranela is sacred peeth. Temples are located at Bhauraigarh, Mahiyadham varda, Salumbar, Samalia, Gatroad. |
Baba Tallinath
| Birth | Shergarh, Jodhpur |
| Legend | Also known as Nature loving Lok Devta, Held at high esteem in Jalore district. When a person is bitten by poisonous creature, taken to baba’s place & thread is tied. |
| Worship | Panchmukhi hill of Panchota Village (Nagaur District) |
Hadbu Ji Sankhla (Harbunji)
| Birth | Bhudole in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan. (Contemporary of Rao Jodha) |
| Legend | One of Panch Peers (Goga ji, Ramdevi ji, Pabu ji, Hadbu Ji, Manglia Meha ji) of Marwar. Well versed in Shakun Shastra. He was the Cousin of Baba Ramdev. |
| Worship | Main Temple: Baingti Village, Phalodi, Jodhpur In the temple, Sankhla Rajput act as priests and worship Harbhuji ki gaadi. |
| Fairs | Parbatsar, Nagaur cattle fair is organized from Bhadra Shukla Dashmi to Poornima. |
| Other Facts | Tejaji Ji identifications – Horse-back, with Sword and Snake |
Meha Ji Manglia
| Birth | Bapni Village, Jodhpur |
| Legend | Manglias are main worshippers. |
| Worship | Main Temple: Bapni Village, Jodhpur |
| Fairs | Bapni village – Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami |
Mallinath Ji
| Birth | 1358 A.D. at Kolu Village, Phalodi in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. |
| Legend | Defeated army of Subedar Nizamuddin of Malwa in 1378 AD. |
| Worship | Main Temple Located in Tilwara, Barmer |
| Fairs | Tilwara, Barmer – Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi to Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi. Tharparkar Cow is traded most in his fair. |
| Other Facts | Malani pargani in Barmer is named after him. |
Other Lok Devta’s of Rajasthan
| Bhomiaji | Worshipped in villages as a protector of land. |
| Mamadev | Lok Devta of rain |
| Eloji | Lok Devta of Love (Cupid). |
| Fatta ji | Waged war with robbers in Santhu village in Jalore District. Fair – every year on Bhadon Sudi Navami. |
| Dev Baba | Protector & savior of Gurjars. Temple: Nagla Jahag village of Bharatpur District. |
| Panraj Ji | Born – Naga Village, Jaisalmer Two fairs every year at panrajsar, Jaisalmer. |
Lok Devis of Rajasthan (Folk Godesses)
Like Lok Devta, Lok Devis are also worshipped in Rajasthan with equal devotion. In Rajasthan, several communities like Rajputs worship their particular goddess as kuldevi, some communities worship tree as kuldevi.
| Kaila Devi | Tutelary (Kuldevi) of Karauli’s royal family, worshipped as form of durga. Lakkhi fair – Chaitra Shukla Ashtami – on Trikut hill at Kaila Devi. |
| Shila Devi | After victory over East Bengal, Maharaja Man Singh of Amer installed Shila Devi in Amer in 16th Century. |
| Karni Mata | Temple: Deshnok, Bikaner Goddess of Rats, white rats in temple are called as kaba. Kuldevi of Rathore Clan Charan community also considers her as their Kuldevi. |
| Jeen Mata | Temple: Rewasa Village, Sikar According to inscription found in Harsh Mountain – Temple of Jeen Mata was built during period of Prthviraj Chouchan I. Jeen Mata is considered Kuldevi of Chouchans. |
| Sakrai Mata | Main Temple – udaipurwati, Jhunjhunu. Kuldevi of Khandelwals. She is also called as Shakambhari Devi & temple of Shakambhari devi is located at Sambhar & Saharanpur of UP. |
| Jal Devi | Temple: Bavadi, Tonk District. |
| Rani Sati | Marble temple in Jhunjhunu. |
| Sheetla Mata | She protects children from Chicken Pox. Donkey is her vehicle & Kumhar (Potter) is her Pujari. Main Temple: Sheel ki Dungari, Chaksu, Jaipur Also known as Sedhal mata. |
| Mahamaya (mahamai) | Worshipped as protector of children. Pregnant women worship Mahamaya of Mavli (Udaipur) for safe delivery & well being of their children. |
| Aai Mata | Sirvi Community of Kshatriyas considers her as their Kuldevi. Temple: Bilada |
| Narayani Mata | Temple: Barva Doongri, Rajgarh, Alwar Barbers consider Narayani Mata as their kuldevi. |
| Ashapura Mata | Considered incarnation of Hinglaj mata Kuldevi of Chauhan dynasty. Shakambhari in Sambhar, Chamunda in Ajaymeru Merwara, Asapura in Nadole are famous temples |