Valamram (1824–1886) was a prominent Hindu saint & social reformer of the 19th century from Gujarat, who was disciple of
Bhoja Bhagat
Bhoja Bhagat (1785–1850), also known as Bhojal or Bhojalram, was a Hindu saint poet from Gujarat, India.
Life
Bhoja or Bhojo was born in 1785 in Leuva Patidar caste at village named Devkigalol near Jetpur, Navagadh, Jetpur in Saurashtra (reg ...
. He lived in
Gariadhar
Gariadhar is a city and a municipality in Bhavnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.
Geography
Gariadhar is located at . It has an average elevation of 83 metres (272 feet).
Demographics
India census, Gariadhar had a popula ...
. He was ''Guru-Bhai'' of Jalaram of Virpur.http://www.somnathmahadev.com/sant-mahatma/sant-bhoja-bhagat-guru-of-sant-jalaram-bapa/
Life
Valam was born in year 1824 in
Kunbi
Kunbi (alternatively Kanbi) (Marathi language, Marathi: ISO 15919: ''Kuṇabī'', Gujarati language, Gujarati: ISO 15919: ''Kaṇabī'') is a generic term applied to several caste system, castes of traditional farmers in Western India. These ...
caste to Lavaji Narayan Katrodia & Jabai. When he was of age he met Bhoja Bhagat of Fatehpur, who had earlier appeared in his dreams. Bhoja Bhagat made him his disciple and gave him the kanthi and name of Valamram. In his later life started "Sadavrat" a free feeding center at Gariadhar in year 1870. He took live
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 ...
in year 1886. Even today, as per promise taken by Valamram from his
Guru
Guru ( ; International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: ''guru'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian religions, Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: tr ...
, Bhoja Bhagat, the Dhwaja to be hoisted atop the ashram of Bhoja Bhagat at Fatehpur, on birth celebration of Bhoja Bhagat is sent from Gariadhar by Valamram's Ashram. The
Ashram
An ashram (, ) is a spiritual hermitage or a monastery in Indian religions, not including Buddhism.
Etymology
The Sanskrit noun is a thematic nominal derivative from the root 'toil' (< Sri Krishna
Krishna (; Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is w ...
of religious significance, were stolen from Ashram. The idols were stolen by breaking the locks of the gate of temple inside the ashram. As per information given by presiding
Mahant
Mahant () is a religious superior, in particular the chief of a temple or the head of a monastery in Indian religions.
James Mallinson, one of the few westerners to be named as a mahant, describes the position of a mahant as a combination of an ...
of Ashram, there is a folk-tale that two of the idols were said to have been presented to Valamramji by Lord Krishna, when he gave
darshan
Darshan, a Sanskrit word meaning "sight" or "viewing", may refer to:
Ceremony and religion
* Darshan (Indian religions), the auspicious sight of a divine image or holy person; also a school of Hindu philosophy
* Darshan (Judaism), a Scriptural ...
to him. These idols were installed in temple inside ashram by the saint Valamramji himself. Other two idols were installed by Mahantas, who succeeded the ashram's gadi, after demise of saint Shri Valamram Bapu. However, after one day the idols were found lying inside a bag, left at the gate of Ashram. The two metal idols were found broken and two intact. There was a sense of relief and rejoice in the city after news of recovery of idols were announced by police. A procession was taken out, thereafter, by followers of ''Valamram Bapa'' & citizens to celebrate recovery of idols. ujarat Samachar Online 1 Jan 2012