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Ramdev (Ramdeo Pir, Ramsha Pir (1352–1385 AD; V.S. 1409–1442) is a Hindu deity of
Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
,
Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
and
Malwa Malwa () is a historical region, historical list of regions in India, region of west-central India occupying a plateau of volcanic origin. Geologically, the Malwa Plateau generally refers to the volcanic plateau, volcanic upland north of the ...
, Madhya Pradesh,
India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. He was a fourteenth-century
Rajput Rājpūt (, from Sanskrit ''rājaputra'' meaning "son of a king"), also called Thākur (), is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating fro ...
of
Pokhran Pokhran (official spelling Pokaran; ) is a town and a municipality located 112 km east of Jaisalmer city in the Jaisalmer district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated in the Thar Desert region. Surrounded by rocks, sand and ...
region who was said to have miraculous powers and devoted his life to uplifting the downtrodden and poor people. In
Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
, people of Meghwal community are considered to be staunch devotees of Ramdev. Many social groups in India worship him as Ishta-deva. He is considered as an avatar of the god
Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...
.History goes that five Pirs from Mecca came to test his miraculous powers and after being convinced, paid their homage to him. Since then, he has been venerated by Muslims as Ramshahpir or Ramapir.


Background

King Ajmal (Ajmal Tanwar) married Queen Minaldevi, daughter of Pamji Bhati of Chhahan Baru village. The sonless king went to Dwaraka and pleaded with
Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...
about his wish to have a child like him. They had two sons, the elder Viramdev and the younger Ramdev. Ramdev was born on Chaitra Sudi Panchami in V.S. 1409 in a
Rajput Rājpūt (, from Sanskrit ''rājaputra'' meaning "son of a king"), also called Thākur (), is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating fro ...
family in Ramdevra, Jaisalmer district. Ramdev believed in the equality of all human beings, be they high or low, rich or poor. He helped the oppressed by granting them their wishes. He is often depicted on horseback. His followers are spread across
Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
,
Haryana Haryana () is a States and union territories of India, state located in the northern part of India. It was carved out after the linguistic reorganisation of Punjab, India, Punjab on 1 November 1966. It is ranked 21st in terms of area, with les ...
,
Punjab Punjab (; ; also romanised as Panjāb or Panj-Āb) is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia. It is located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising areas of modern-day eastern Pakistan and no ...
,
Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
and
Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh (; ; ) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is Indore, Indore. Other major cities includes Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sagar. Madhya Pradesh is the List of states and union te ...
, Mumbai,
Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...
and
Sindh Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
in Pakistan. Several fairs in Rajasthan are held to commemorate him. Temples in his name are found in many states of India.


Story of King Ajmal

Ajmal arrived at
Dwarka Dwarka () is a town and municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Gujarat. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti river at ...
and prayed for many days. Ultimately, in sheer disappointment, he asked
Krishna Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...
's image the reason for deserving such sorrow. The image did not respond to the king's repeated queries. Angered and enraged at this, the king threw a dried laddu at the head of the image. The priest of the temple, considering the king to be mad, asked the king to go to the mystic Dwaraka to speak to the Lord. Dwaraka, swallowed by the sea many centuries prior, lay on the bed of the
Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea () is a region of sea in the northern Indian Ocean, bounded on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, Gulf of Aden and Guardafui Channel, on the northwest by Gulf of Oman and Iran, on the north by Pakistan, on the east by India, and ...
. The unfearing king dived into the sea to meet the Lord. Pleased at the king's dedication and faith, the Lord granted him a boon. The king asked for Krishna to be born as his son. Lord promised to come to the king's house. Soon after, the royal couple gave birth to a boy named Bhiramdev. After a few years, Krishna took a small form and appeared next to Bhiramdev. Muslims venerate Ramdev as ''Ramshah Pir'' or ''Rama Shah Peer''. He was said to have had miraculous powers, and his fame reached far and wide. Legend has it that five Pirs from
Mecca Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia; it is the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley above ...
came to test Ramdev's powers. Ramdev welcomed them and requested them to have lunch with him. The Pirs declined, saying that they ate only with their utensils, which were in
Mecca Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia; it is the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley above ...
. At this, Ramdev smiled and said, "Look, your utensils are coming, " they saw their eating bowls flying in the air from Mecca. After being convinced of his abilities and powers, they paid their homage to him and named him Rama Shah Peer. The five Pirs, who came to test his powers, were so impressed by him that they decided to stay with him. Their graves are located near Ramdev's ''
Samadhi Statue of a meditating Rishikesh.html" ;"title="Shiva, Rishikesh">Shiva, Rishikesh ''Samādhi'' (Pali and ), in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, is a state of meditative consciousness. In many Indian religious traditions, the cultivati ...
''. There are 24 miracles of him which he did in his life.


Poetry and Literature

Ramdev wrote many verbally composed poems, also known as "bāņīs" (utterances), which later on were transcripted and translated by his followers. His most favoured literary work is a collection of his poems by one of his followers named Swami Gokuldas, the "''Baba Ramdev Chaubis Praman"'' (24 pieces of evidence), believed to be pieces of evidence, predictions or simply ways via which one can find the "'' Satguru''", the ultimate pious spiritual guide, who in turn will help one attain the true Supreme God. In one such couplet, he emphasizes the importance of having known the spiritual guide, saying that whoever will take God's name ('' Japa)'', only that person will ever get unaltered comfort and rest, which is the final beatitude, as follows:
"''Jo satguru ka levein naamaa, woh hi paavein achal araama''" —Page 17, ''Baba Ramdev Chaubis Praman''
A collection of such translated couplets which successfully lead followers to specific conclusions can be found through resources and wayfinding.


Samadhi and Main Temple in Ramdevra

Ramdev took
Samadhi Statue of a meditating Rishikesh.html" ;"title="Shiva, Rishikesh">Shiva, Rishikesh ''Samādhi'' (Pali and ), in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, is a state of meditative consciousness. In many Indian religious traditions, the cultivati ...
at Ramdevra (10 km from Pokhran) in Rajasthan, on Bhadrapada Shukla
Ekadashi Ekadashi () is the eleventh lunar day (''tithi'') of the waxing (''Shukla Paksha, Shukla Pakṣa)'' and waning (''Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa)'' lunar cycles in a Hindu calendar, Vedic calendar month. Ekadashi is popularly observed within Vaishnavism one ...
in V.S. 1442 at the age of 33 years. The temple complex housing the resting place of Ramdev is located at Ramdevra (10 km from Pokhran) in Rajasthan. The temple structure was built around Ramdev's grave by Maharaja Ganga Singh of
Bikaner Bikaner () is a city in the northwest of the States and territories of India, state of Rajasthan, India. It is located northwest of the state capital, Jaipur. It is the administrative headquarters of Bikaner District and Bikaner division. Fo ...
in 1931. The complex also houses Samadhis of his disciples like Dalibai and some of his chief disciples. The complex also houses the
tomb A tomb ( ''tumbos'') or sepulchre () is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes. Placing a corpse into a tomb can be called '' immurement'', alth ...
s of five Muslim Pirs from
Mecca Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia; it is the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley above ...
. It also houses a step-well known as Parcha Bawdi, the water of which devotees believe has healing powers


Ramdev Jayanti

Ramdev Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Ramdev, is annually celebrated in India on Chaitra Sudi Panchami by his dedicated followers. Baba Ramdevji announced a seven-day fair, spanning from Bhadva Sudi Duj to Bhadva Sudi Ashtami, during which saints of diverse faiths were invited to convene in a spirit of unity. As the designated Ashtami date approached, Baba expressed his intention for Samadhi. Concurrently, Bhaktamati Dali Bai announced her own intention to undertake Samadhi first. Consequently, Baba decided to undergo Samadhi three days later, specifically on
Ekadashi Ekadashi () is the eleventh lunar day (''tithi'') of the waxing (''Shukla Paksha, Shukla Pakṣa)'' and waning (''Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa)'' lunar cycles in a Hindu calendar, Vedic calendar month. Ekadashi is popularly observed within Vaishnavism one ...
. This decision led to a spontaneous increase in the program of affectionate gatherings and devotional bhajan satsangs, which persisted until Ekadashi.


Shri Ramdev Pir Temple, Pakistan

The Temple of Rama Pir is in Tando Allahyar,
Sindh Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...
,
Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...
. The annual festival of Ramapir Temple, Tando Allahyar, is the second most significant pilgrimage site for the Hindus in Pakistan. Every year in the
Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
month of Bhadrapad, three days of celebrations are arranged by Ramapir Sheva Mandli. File:Samadhi of Baba Ramdevji.jpg, Ramdevji Samadhi Darshan, Ramdevra,
Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
File:Ramapir1 (28).jpg, Ramdevji Samadhi Darshan, Ramdevra,
Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
File:Ramdevpir_Temple,_Piplidham,_Gujarat.jpg, A Beautiful Temple of Baba Ramdevji at Piplidham,
Surendranagar district Surendranagar is an administrative district in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state in India. It has a population of approximately 1.7 million people. Surendranagar, along with the twin city of Wadhwan, has a total of 400,000 inhabitants, an ...
,
Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...


See also

* Ramdevra * Khatushyamji * Kanki, Uttar Dinajpur


References


External links

{{Portal bar, India, Religion, Hinduism, Islam 14th-century monarchs in Asia Folk deities of Rajasthan Hindu folk deities Hinduism and Islam Regional Hindu gods