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Baba Ramdeoji (बाबा रामदेवजी)
Baba Ramdeoji (बाबा रामदेवजी) is a
local folk–deity of Rajasthan, who worked for the welfare of society irrespective of cast and creed. Muslims called him Pir and
Hindus and other communities call him Baba. For Ram sa Pir, there is no difference between a Hindu or Muslim. He was a saint of the fifteenth
century who devoted all his life to the uplift of the downtrodden.
Baba Ramdeoji was a Tanwar Rajput born in a village in Rajasthan called as Ranuja ( now रामदेवरा). His father
was Raja Ajmal Dev. Hindus regard him as an incarnation of Lord Krishna, while Muslims venerate him as Ramshah
Pir. He is said to have had miraculous powers and his fame reached far and wide. Legend goes that five Pirs
(saints) from Mecca came here to test his power and after being convinced, paid
their homage to him. Since then he is venerated by Muslims also as Ram Shah Pir or Rama Peer.
Around Ramdeoji's grave a magnificent temple called Ramdevra was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner in 1931 A.D.
The pilgris shout slogens like 'Baba Ram-sa-pir ki jai' and "Jai Baba ree' on their way to to Ramdevra.
Wooden toy horses covered with cloth are among the most popular offerings at the temple.
Devotees pray at Masuriya in Jodhpur where shrine of
Baba's Guru Baba Balinath is situated, before leaving for Ramdevra.
Baba Ramdev believed in the equality of all human beings, both high and low,
rich and poor. He helped the down-trodden by granting them their wishes. Baba
Ramdev is often depicted on horseback. His worship crosses the Hindu-Muslim
divide as well as crossing the caste line since his followers include caste Hindus and the casteless Dalits.
Baba Ramdeoji fair
This year from from Bhadon Sudi 2 (Beej) to 11 (Ekadashi)
(August 31 to September 8, 2011) thousands of pilgrims are going on foot to pay respect to Baba
Ramdeoji. They came from diffrent parts of the state, Gujrat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and other states. Roads in Sirohi, Pali,
Ajmer and Jodhpur are flooded with padyatris (people going on foot)
and Jatrus on cycles and motor cycles. The devotees of Ramdevpir offer rice, coconuts, churma and toy wooden horses to
Ramdevji.
Some Muslim devotees are part of groups of padyatris covering distances of several kilometers from Madhya Pradesh, Guraj,
Haryana and Maharastra. A group of is coming from Chennai covering about 3,200 kilometers on foot.
This year more than 30 lakh pilgrims are expected to visit the Ramdeora fair.
Both Hindus and Muslims are coming to fair, setting and example of communal harmony. Police and administration claims for a full security
arrangement. On the roadsides social workers provide free breakfast, meals, tea,
coffee, fruits and medical facilities. In Jodhpur thousands of volunteers work hard to provide meals to pilgrims
Ramdevra
In Ramdevra the main attraction is the Samadhi-Mandir, the temple of
Ramapir, which includes the samadhis of his parents, King Ajmalji and the Queen Mata
Meenaldevi. The other samadhis are of his grandfather Raja Ranjitsinhji and the elder brother Viramdevji and the two sons of
Ramdevji. There are also some more Samadhis of close family relations of Ramdveji.
The other places of interest are: Parcha -vav, Panch-Peepli, Palace of Ajmalji in Pokran, Dhuni of Baba
Balnath, Guru of Baba Ramdevji and Cave of Bhairavsinh (Bhairav Rakshas)
To reach Ramdevra travel either from Jodhpur or Bikaner
in Rajasthan by rail or road to Pokran in Jaisalmer District. Ramdevra is 12 kilometres from
Pokran. Local people still travel on camels, bullock carts or on foot. During the fair, special buses and trains go from as far as Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. There are also daily Buses from
Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer to Ramdevra (Runicha).
Address: Shree Ramdevji Mandir, RAMDEVRA - 345023, Dist. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. |
Baba Ramdeoji (बाबा रामदेवजी)
Baba Ramdeoji is considered as an Avtar of Lord Bisnu. He says he devotees that on
Badon Sudi 2 at the time of moon light I will born for the welfare of people
भादुड़ा री बीज रो जद चंदो करे प्रकाश।
रामदेव बण आवसुं राखीजे विश्वास ।।
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