Write an essay on eminent folk deities of Rajasthan.
Answers
Rajasthan has a strong tradition of venerating saints and righteous warriors as deities. This category is an attempt to bring all these folk deities in a single category.
There have been some such personalities in the ancient people’s life of Rajasthan who have taken their lives for public welfare and became immortal in the form of God. Some of these folk deities have been called as Pir (a holy person). According to a rumor, five are in Rajasthan, whose names are Pabuji, Harbuji, Ramdevji, Goga Ji and Meha Ji.
Lok Devata Pabuji was born in the village of Kolumand near Phalodi in Jodhpur district in samvat 1313 (1239 AD). Pabuji’s marriage was fixed with the daughter of Sodha Rana Surajmal of Amarkot. Veer Pabuji Rathore, while taking the Pheras of his marriage, heard that his brother-in-law, Mr. Jindrao Khichi, was arrogating the Deval Charani’s cow. Upon listening to the kidnapping of cows, he immediately stood up between the Pheras and sacrificed his life while saving the cows.
For the same reason, Pabuji is also called the protector of cows, camels and other animals (God of camels). He is also considered as plague protectors. Moreover, when the animals become ill, a thread of his name is tied to the animal. It is believed that it eliminates the disease of the animal. At some places, Pabuji is considered as the avatar of Laxmanji.
Answer:
· Ramdev Ji was born Bhadarva Shukla Dooj in Vikram Samvat. 1409 at Ramderiya in Barmer district. It is said that Ramdev Ji had some miraculous powers and that is the reason his fame reached to different parts of the country. Legends say that five Pirs from Mecca came to test the powers of Ramdev Ji.