Belief in Folk Deities

Lately, due to the increase in economic activities in the forest area and after the develop­ment of communication means, the culture of the Hindu castes has spread in the Sahariya community.

19.3.1 Hiraman Baba

It is said that basically Hiraman Baba belongs to the Gujjar community of this region. Gradually, the Sahariya also started to propitiate it to protect their cattle from any unto­ward happenings. It is believed that Baba is capable of getting rid of the disease and ghosts that intrude in the body of their cattle. Occasionally, this community also offers milk to this deity to get his blessings on the devotee’s family and their cattle.

19.3.2 Bhairuji/Bhairav Ji Maharaj

Bhairuji is believed by the Shariya as the incarnation of God Hanuman. This deity is par­ticularly worshipped by them to have protection for those cattle and domestic animals which roam or go grazing in the forest areas. They have devotion or reverence for this deity as he gives protection to their animals from all types of diseases. Kheer-Puri (rice pudding and deep-fried bread) is specially made for his worship.

19.3.3 Teja ji

Tejaji’s chabootra or temple is found in every village of Rajasthan and all communities ven­erate him, so does the Sahariya. He is a legendry folk hero, invoked as the incarnation of the Hindu god, the Lord Shiva (Ahuja 2002). He is also known as a miraculous snake-bite curer. It is believed if a thread is tied on the right foot of the patient in the name of Tejaji, then the deity gives protection to the sufferer from snake-venom. Tejaji’s fair is held every year on the tenth day of Bhadrapada month at Parbatsar in Nagaur district of Rajasthan state.

Folk deities and Pir find a significant place in the life of common people of Rajasthan. A Pir can be a Hindu or a Muslim, but both the communities believe in Pir and worship him. There are a number of Pir, but five of them (Pabu, Ramdeo, Meha, Harbhu, and Goga) are worshipped by the people of Rajasthan as well as of other neighbouring states such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, etc. including the Sahariya.

19.3.4 Ramdeoji

Ramdeoji is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Krishna. The fair of Ramdeoji is held in the months of August-September every year in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. Initially, he was worshipped by untouchable castes in Rajasthan as a social reformer and for having miraculous healing power to cure any kind of ailments. But now almost all communities worship this deity and follow his rituals. Ramdeoji was believed to be born in the 15thcen- tury in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. He was a son of king Ajmal. It is said that the king remained childless for a long period after his marriage, but he was a big devotee of Lord Krishna. Finally, pleased at the king’s devotion, Lord Krishna incarnated in the form of the king’s son, named Ramdeo. Ramdeo was born with miraculous powers and later, he dedicated his life towards the uplifting of poor people. Both Hinduism and Islam worship him.

19.3.5 Goga ji

He is a folk snake-deity, worshipped by tribal and non-tribal communities with full respect and reverence. Goga ji was a Chauhan ruler in Rajasthan who fought bravely against Turks. He was a contemporary of the king Prithviraj Chauhan. His shrine is known as Gogamedi, situated in the Hanumangarh district of the state. According to a popular saying, every village has its own Khejri⁴ tree, and likewise, every village has its own Goga-Pir (Ahuja 2002:42).

19.3.6 Sheetla Mata

Sheetla Mata is worshipped not only in the Sahariya community, but in almost all com­munities of this region and also across many communities across India. Earlier it was wor­shipped to get rid of the epidemic like small-pox. But, even after the complete eradication of small- pox, propitiation of Sheetla Mata continues. Among the Sahariya, it is reported, that it is compulsory for a newly married couple to visit the shrine of Sheetla Mata to seek her blessings for a happy and prosperous married life. To appease this deity, people offer food prepared one day before which in local language is called Basyoda or Shiloda.

Apart from the deities mentioned above, in the Sahariya community there is also the deep-rooted tradition of worshipping trees and plants such as amla, banana, peepal, tulsi, etc. Amla tree is especially worshipped by women in the Kartik⁵ month for their husband’s long life and prosperity.

Additionally, in this community at the time of the marriage ceremony, there is also a tradition of inviting their deities. They have the custom to offer yellow-rice (rice soaked or mixed with the turmeric powder) on their chabootre on this occasion.

Apart from all these deities the Sahariya people also worship other Hindu gods and god­desses like Lord Ganesha, Durga, Hanuman, Amba Mata, and Balaji with great reverence and seek their blessings.

19.4