Tejai, Gogaji, Pabuji, Ramdevji, and Dev Narayanji were some famous folk deities of Rajasthan.
Tejaji: Tejaji was a folk diety, saviour of cows. He was born in Kharnal village in Nagaur district in 1130 Vikram Samvat. He belonged to a Jat family. His mother’s name was Ram Kunvari and wife’s name was Pemal. He became injured during a fight to snatch the cows of Lachha Gujari from the thieves and he died due to snake bite. The information of his death was brought by his mare Lilan (Singari) to his house. The news of Tejaji’s action of freeing the cows spread everywhere. The people suffering from snake bite come to his Than for remedy. He is worshipped as god of snakes, well wisher of agricultural activities.
A popular belief is that a person or cattle wearing Teja’s amulet (thread) is protected against snake bite. A biggest mela (fair) is held in Bhadrapad Shukla Dashmi where animals are purchased and sold.
Gogaji: Gogaji was a folk deity who fought against Sultan Firoz Shah of Delhi. He was born in Chauhan family, at Dadrava village in Churn district. His father’s name was Zewar Singh and mother’s name was Bile. His mother was the devotee of Goraknath. He was pleased with her services and gave her a snake made up of Google Dhoop and said “dissolve it in milk and drink.” She did the same and gave birth to Gogaji.
He fought against Firoz Shah, the emperor of Delhi. Gogaji sacrificed his life to protect cows and to defend the country from Muslim rulers. Hence, he is worshipped * as a folk deity. He is also considered as a god of snakes. After the rains, the farmers of Rajasthan tie a sacred thread ‘Goga Rakhdi’ to the plough and the person who ploughs before ploughing the field. The than of Gogaji is called Gogamedi, which is located at the fort of Indramangarh. The fair of Gogamedi is organised every year in which people came from outside Rajasthan also.
Pabuji: Pabuji was a folk deity. He sacrificed his life to save the cows of Deval Devi. He was born in 13th century at Kolhugarh village near Pabuji (Jodhpur). His father’s name was Dhadal and mother’s name was Kamlade. He had a god sister named Deval Charan. He had a mare named Kesar Kalvi. Deval used to guard the cows with the help of mare. At the time of his marriage, Pabuji got this information that the cows of his god sister Deval Charani had been carried away by Jind Rao, Khinchi of Jayal. Hearing this news, Pabuji left the marriage ceremony and rode on the Kesar Kalvi. He followed Jind Rao and sacrificed his life during the fight to free the cows. Respect for women, affection to those who came to him for protection and bravery were his particular traits. His eulogy is collected in the book named ‘Pabuji ki Phad’.
Ramdevji: Ramdevji was also a famous folk deity. He was born in 15th centuiy in Ajmalji and Mainna Devi’s home in a village of Pokhran. He gave the message of social equality and opposed casteism. He gave stress on kindness for all living creatures, respect for Guru, labour and mankind. His main functions were-doing Bhajans with Dalits and untouchables. He opposed religious rituals and gave stress on Hindu-Muslim unity.
He stressed on pureness of deeds and greatness of Guru. In rural society Baba Ramdevji is worshipped as a saviour of cows. He was a symbol of social brotherhood. He breathed his last in 1515 Vikram Samvat (1458 AD) in Runecha. A great fair is held every year at this place from Bhadrapad Shulka second to tenth.
Dev Narayanji: Dev Narayanji was a folk deity. He gave stress on the protection of cows. He was born in Bagadawat family near Bhilwara. He belonged to Nag family Gurjar. He fought bravely against the ruler of Bhinay to protect cows. He is particularly considered to be the folk deity of Gurjar caste. Gurjar people respect his work. He preached his followers to guard the cows. He fought against evils throughout his life and gave birth of goodness. His main temple is located at village Jodypuriya (Tonk). He is worshipped as folk deity. His phad is the largest and popular in Rajasthan.
