Rajasthan: Religious Life, Saints, Sects and Folk Deities

What the official syllabus says

RPSC, RAS/RTS Preliminary Examination, General Knowledge and General Science, under “History, Art, Culture, Literature, Tradition & Heritage of Rajasthan”:

• Religious Life: Religious Communities, Saints and Sects in Rajasthan. Folk Deities of Rajasthan. Religious practices.

Topics in detail

Religious communities

• Shaiva traditions: Pashupata and Lakulisha worship (Eklingji), the Nath sect (Jodhpur’s Mahamandir), Kanphata yogis
• Vaishnava traditions: the Vallabha (Pushtimarg) sect and Shrinathji at Nathdwara; Nimbarka sect (Salemabad, Ajmer); Ramanandi sect (Galta, Jaipur); Gaudiya sect (Govind Devji, Jaipur)
• Shakta worship: kuldevis of ruling clans (for example Naganechi of the Rathores, Jamway Mata of the Kachhwahas, Ashapura of the Chauhans)
• Jainism: Shvetambara and Digambara centres such as Dilwara, Ranakpur, Rishabhdev (Kesariyaji), Shri Mahavirji (Karauli), Nakoda, Osian
• Islam and Sufism: the Chishti silsila (Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Ajmer; Hamiduddin Nagori, Nagaur), Narhar dargah (Jhunjhunu), Gagron dargah
• Sikhs, Christians and other communities in the state

Saints and sects of Rajasthan

• Meera Bai (Merta; devotion to Krishna; her padas)
• Dadu Dayal and the Dadu Panth (Naraina); disciples Sundardas and Rajjab; the Dadu Vani
• Jambhoji and the Bishnoi sect (29 rules; Mukam, Bikaner); the Khejarli sacrifice of 1730 led by Amrita Devi
• Jasnathji and the Jasnathi sect (Katariyasar); the fire dance
• The Ramsnehi sect and its centres: Shahpura (Ramcharan), Rain (Dariyavji), Sinthal (Hariramdas), Khedapa (Ramdas)
• Laldas and the Laldasi sect (Mewat); Charandas and the Charandasi sect; Haridas and the Niranjani sect; Pipa (ruler of Gagron, a disciple of Ramanand); Dhanna (Tonk); Mavji (Beneshwar); Gavri Bai of Vagad

Folk deities (lok devta)

• The Panch Pir: Pabuji (Kolu; protector of camels; the phad and Ravanhattha), Gogaji (Dadrewa and Gogamedi; snake-bite deity), Ramdevji (Ramdevra/Runecha; Kamadiya sect; worshipped by Hindus and Muslims; nejas flags), Harbhuji (Bengti), Mehaji Mangaliya
• Tejaji (Kharnal, Nagaur; the snake-bite deity of farmers; Teja Dashami fair at Parbatsar)
• Devnarayanji (Gurjar folk deity; Asind; the Bagdawat epic and the longest phad)
• Veer Kallaji Rathore (siege of Chittor 1567-68), Mallinathji (Tilwara), Tallinathji (Jalore), Bhomiyaji, Deo Baba, Veer Fatta

Folk goddesses (lok devi)

• Karni Mata (Deshnok; kuldevi of the Rathores of Bikaner)
• Kaila Devi (Karauli; Lakkhi fair; Languriya songs), Shila Devi (Amber), Jeen Mata (Sikar), Shitla Mata (Chaksu; Basoda)
• Sakrai Mata, Tanot Mata (Jaisalmer), Sundha Mata (Jalore), Arbuda Devi (Mount Abu), Tripura Sundari (Banswara), Rani Sati (Jhunjhunu)

Religious practices

• Than, devra and chabutra shrines of folk deities; the Bhopa as priest-singer; jagran and jamma (night-long singing); ratijaga
• Vrat, tirtha-yatra, mannat (vows) and offerings; kuldevta and kuldevi worship; sacred groves (oran, devbani)
• Worship of nature: khejri, peepal, tulsi; cow and snake worship; Bishnoi protection of trees and animals
• Pilgrimage centres: Pushkar, Nathdwara, Ajmer Sharif, Ramdevra, Salasar Balaji, Mehandipur Balaji, Beneshwar, Galta

How to learn each saint and deity

• Birthplace and main shrine (with its district)
• Parents, guru and period; the sect or community linked with them
• Teachings, works and the fair held in their memory (month and place)
• Symbols and practices: flags, phad, songs, offerings

Overlaps

Religious beliefs, saints and folk deities are in Mains Paper I (Unit I, Part A). Fairs linked to these deities are on Rajasthan: Fairs, Festivals, Customs, Attire and Ornaments.