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Hero-Worship Fairs
Hero worship has been a tradition among the Rajasthanis and important fairs
are held in honour and veneration of their heroes. At the fairs held in honour of
Ramdeoji, Gogaji and Tejaji the people's deep spirituality as well as their
life and culture manifest themselves.
Ramdeoji Fair
Ramdeora fair is held every year for ten days in August-September to pay
homage to the fifteenth century saint, Shri Ramdeoji. Ramdeora village lies
about 13 km from Pokaran, headquarters of a sub-division in Jaisalmer district.
Ramdeoji was a Tomar
Rajput. Hindus regard him as an incarnation of Lord
Krishna, while Muslims venerate him as Ramshah Pir. There is a story behind the
birth of Ramdeoji. In the twelfth century, King Anangpal decided to go on a pilgrimage and as he
had no son, he entrusted the administration of his kingdom to Pritviraj Chauhan,
his maternal grandson. Prithviraj refused to restore the kingdom to King
Anangpal, who had returned from the pilgrimage and the King and his descendant settled
in the part of Jaisalimer which is known as Shiv tehsil.
One of Anangpal's
descendants Ajmall, was a great devotee of
Dwarkadhesh (Lord Krishna). Because of his devotion Dwarkadhesh decided to take birth as his son. The child was named
Ramdeo. Ramdeo
soon became famous as a saintly man and five pirs from Mecca came to test him ,
and they were impressed by Ramdeo and paid him obeisance.
Ramdeoji is considered a saint who devoted his life to the uplift of the
downtrodden. He buried himself alive. Around Ramdeoji's grave a magnificent
temple was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. Wooden toy horses covered
with cloth are among the most popular offerings at the temple. It is one of the
famous fairs in Rajasthan.
Veerpuri Fair
The Veerpuri fair is held at Mandor to commemorate the heroes of
Rajasthan .
The site is about 10km from Jodhpur. The fair is held on the penultimate Monday
of Shravan. There are two legends about its origin.
According to one, Jaswant Singh who ruled Mandor was sent to Ahmednagar by
Aurangzeb
to crush a rebellion. Jaswant Singh prayed to old heroes of his land for success
and was able to win the battle. He built a gallery of heroes at Mandor and every
year on the last Monday of Shravan he visited to pay respect to the
heroes.
The second legend concerning the origin of the fair relates to
Veerpuja.
During Mughal days, a Rajput youth had to leave his unmarried sister alone to
join a battle. The sister applied tilak to her brothers forehead and he
returned victorious from battle.
Rani Sati Fair
Rani Sati fair was held in Jhunjhunu town twice a year, on
Magh-Krishna Navami
and Bhadrapada Amavasya. It was on Magh Krishna Navami that Rani Sati, the first of the series of
thirteen Satis of the Jalan family, immolated herself. The last Sati was on
Bhadrapada Amavasya. As Rani was the first Sati in her family, the fair is
held in her name.
There was a legend behind the fair.
The Jali Ram, the diwan of Nawab of Hissar had a son Tandhan Ram who owned a
fine mare. The son of Nawab of Hissar wanted the
mare for himself. When his request was refused, he decided the steal the
horse. Tandhan Ram threw his spear at the thief and killed him. Nawab of Hissar
attacked Tandham Ram and killed him while he was returning with his wife
Narainidevi to Jhunjhunu. Narainidevi took away the body of her husband and
immolated herself on the funeral pyre and later appeared as a goddess. Her principal
followers are Jalans, who are the descendants of another son of Jali
Ram.
Mallinath Fair
The
Mallinath fair held annually for a fortnight during March-April in the
dry bed of the river Luni near Tilwara in Barmer is one of the biggest fairs in
Rajasthan. Camels, horses, goats and sheep are brought and sold at the fair. An
image of Mallinath has been installed in the temple where offerings of batashas
and laddoos are made during the fair. Replicas of horses are also offered as a
mark of respect.
Gogaji Fair
Gogaji fair is held in Gogamedi village in Ganganagar district in honour of
Gogaji . The fair is held from the ninth day of the dark half of Bhadrapada (Goga
Navami) to the eleventh day of the dark half of the same month. Gogaji Samadhi
is made of white marble. His idol depicts him with a spear in hand riding a
horse. His whip is also worshipped and he is supposed to be a patron of barren
women. Replicas of his horse are worshipped on Goga Navami.
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