Religious Movements, Saints& Lok devtas of Rajasthan.

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Rajasthan is blessed with multi-religious Society and all the religions found in the country are practiced in Rajasthan in Harmony to each other. Vedic Religion has been practiced in the state since ancient times and worship of sun has been center of religious practice for several communities.

Religious movements in Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism:-

Ancient vedic religion was rejuvenated by the Sancracharya and sevral cults were developed within the hindu religion which are as follows:-

Jasnathji Cult:-Jat origin,detached people, followers tie black wollen thread in neck and practice undergroung meditation.The cult has code of cunduct with 36 norms.
Vaishnav Cult:-They worship Lord Krishna in his childhood forma and are called Bhaktimargi.Followers worship Vishnu, the Supreme Lord and his ten avatars, including Rama and Krishna. The adherents of this sect are generally monastic and devoted to meditative practice and ecstatic chanting.
Ramanuj Cult:- They worship Lord Rama,and believe in the the epistemic and soteriological importance of bhakti, or the devotion to a personal God as a means to spiritual liberation.
Nimbhark Cult:- They propogated the Vaishnava Theology of Dvaitadvaita (dvaita-advaita) or “dualistic non-dualism”.They worship Radha-Krishna.
Gauriya Cult:- Special influence in Radha Krishna worship in the region of Jaipur,Sawaimadhopur and Karauli.
Dadupanti Cult:- Dadu Dayal was a brahmin of Ahemdabad who founded the Dadhupant, his sermons of 5000 verses are found in Daduvani.The followers of Dadupant wear saffron clothes and main seat is at narena. The chief goal of the cult is attainment of untainted formless through the blessing of the preceptor by the way of following the path of knowledge and opposition to idolatry and discrimination.
Ram Snehi Cult:- worshiper of lord Rama with main seat at Banswara.
Kabirpanthi Cult:- They worship formless god, The saints belloging to Kabirpant do not marry and make people of all caste as their people.
Bishnoipanth Cult:- Jambaji is the pioneer of the cult and is thought to be incarcination of Lord Vishnu.
Nath Cult:-Prevalent in Jodhpur.

Saints of Rajasthan

Saints of Rajasthan can be Characterized as Bhakti saints and Warior saints.

Famous Bhakti Saints of Rajasthan are:-

Dadu Dayal:- Daduji belongs to the lineage of Sants and Naths like Kabir-2/”>Kabir and Nanak. Born in Ahmedabad in 1544, he made Rajasthan his home and attained Samadhi in Naraina in Jaipur district in 1601. Emperor Akbar is said to have been one of his followers. The Dadupanth was established in his very lifetime.Part of the legacy of Dadupanth are a wealth of literature and manuscripts, it produced over the centuries. This wealth includes very ancient manuscripts attributed to Kabir, Namdev and Raidas.
Mira Bai:-Mirabai was a great saint and devotee of Sri Krishna. Despite facing criticism and hostility from her own family, she lived an exemplary saintly life and composed many devotional bhajans.
Lal Das:-Saint of mewar region and rose above the caste barriers.
Charan Das:-Charandas was born in Derha, near Alwar, in Rajasthan.Charandas is the author of around twenty works. Many of these are in verse and deal with aspects of devotion, particularly relating to the worship of Krishna.He wrote commentaries on various Upanishads, particularly the Katha Upanishad, and on specific Yoga/”>Yoga practices, especially Pranayama, control of the breath.
Mavaji:- a highly revered saint considered to be an incarination of Lord Vishnu.Two disciples of Mavji named Aje and Vaje built the Lakshmi- Narain Temple near the confluence of rivers Som and Mahi.

Warrior Saints of Rajasthan took the responsibility to protect the Dharma from the invaders and finally emerged as the protector of Brahmans,Women, Cows and poor people from the invaders particularly the Muslims.They emphasized on the Karma.

Lok Devtas and Devis of Rajasthan

Tejaji:-Tejaji was legendary Rajasthani folk hero. He is considered one of the major eleven incarinations of Lord Shiva and worshipped as a deity in rural Rajasthan. It is believed that if a person suffering from snakebite goes to samadhi of Teja or puts a chord (tanti) in Tejaji’s name, he is cured.Tejaji, fair takes place on the eleventh lunar day of Bhadrapad Shukla Paksh (Aug.-Sept.) every year in village Parbatsar, District Nagaur in Rajasthan

Pabuji:- Pabuji is a legendary hero who is worshiped by camel herders in Rajasthan.
Ramdeoji:-He was a ruler of the fourteenth century, said to have miraculous powers who devoted his life for the upliftment of downtrodden and poor people of the society. Ramdev is the chief deity of the Meghwal community, worshiped during the Vedwa Punam (August – September).The temple complex housing the resting place of Ramdev is located at Ramdevra, Rajasthan
Gagoji:-He protects his followers from snakes and other evils. Almost every village in Rajasthan has a Than (sacred place,generally a small temple) dedicated to him. Gogaji fair is held annually in the month of Bhadrapada and lasts for 3 days.
Mehaji:-Rajput warrior
Harbhuji:-Discipline of Ramdeoji
Jambheshwarji:-Guru Jambheshwar (born 1451 in a remote Rajasthani village Pipasar) also known as Jambhoji, was the founder of the Bishnoi sect. He preached the worship of Hari(One God). He gave the message that God is a divine power that is everywhere. He also taught to protect Plants and animals as they are important in order to peacefully coexist with nature.
Mallinath:-Rawal Mallinath is a folk idol of Rajasthan. He was the elder lad of Rao Salkhaji, the Mehwanagar ruler in Barmer. The descendants of Rawal Mallinath’s are the eldest among all abodes of Rathores in the state of Rajasthan. The domiciles of Bikaner, Jodhpur, Sitamau, Ratlam, Idar, Alirajpur and Sailana sketch their roots to Viramdeo.
Mavaji:-Worshiped in Dungarpur and Banswara area,Kalika incarination of God Vishnu
Makadji Devji: worshiped by Gujjars
Eloji:- is a folk divinity and is considered to be the deity of villages. Effigies of Eloji can be instituted roughly in every rural community of Rajasthan. He is revealed as a burly man with moustaches and arrogance on his face. Many folk songs and music are played in honor of sexual power of Eloji.
Mahavir: Protect wells.
Bhomiya: Protects village boundries
Khetla Ji :-was a folk divinity who subsisted in Rajasthan state. His one of the temples is situated in Sonana Village, Rajasthan. The place of worship is the spot of a 2 day fair, held annually during the months of May and June in respect of Khetla ji. The fair draws a hefty number of followers who gather together here during the fair to summon the blessing of the divinity. There are number of temples of Khetla Ji in Marwar, for example Sayala, Sewari etc. Kataria society of Rajasthan regards him as their Kul Devta. They also perform some ceremonies after birth and marriage which is known as ‘Juar’.Mahamayas
Sheetla Mata:-Shitala Mata is mentioned in many scriptures, especially in Skanda Purana as the goddess of smallpox. She is both the cause of the disease and the cure.Shitala Devi rides on a donkey, and she has four arms. In her hands she carries a silver broom, a fan, a small bowl, and a pot of water. She uses these items to rid a house of disease–she sweeps up the germs with her broom, uses the fan to collect them, and dumps them into the bowl. She then sprinkles water from the pot (which is water from the river Ganges) to purify the house.Sacret Shrines are located in Chaksu and Baghor.
Kaila Devi:-Kaila Devi is considered as the deity of wealth. The shrine of Kaila Devi is a Hindu place of worship to be found 23 kilometers from Karauli, Rajasthan. The holy place is situated on the bank of River Kalisil, a stream of River Banas in Trikut hills. The place of worship is devoted to Tutelary divinity, Goddess Kaila Devi, of the former princely rulers of Jadaun Rajput of Karauli state. Kaila Devi is a marble construction with a hefty patio of a plaid floor.
Shila Mata:- Headed towards the end of 16th century, Maharaja Mansingh carried the effigy of Shila Mata from the Eastern area of Bengal. In Pratapaditya’s Sovereignty, Maharaja Mansingh faced trounce at the hands of Kedar king. Mortified and dejected, the Maharaja prayed Goddess Kali to gratify her and obtain her blessings in order to amend his defeat into conquest. Kali emerged in a dream to sanctify him. The goddess also acquired a pledge from the Maharaja that he would institute her place of pilgrimage in his capital. The statue of goddess was recuperated from sea in the form of slab (Shila) and it was fetched to Amer when cleaned and sluiced, the present idol emerged. This is why the deity was recognized as Shila Mata. Her shrine is situated in Amber Fort.
Aaiji:- Rajput , Incarination of Sakti, worshiped by Aai Panth.
Jeen Mata:- is an embodiment of Goddess Durga. Her domicile is snuggled in the quaint Aravalli hills in Raiwasa, Rajasthan. The consecrated holy place of Jeen Mata is supposed to be hundreds of years old. Thousands of followers swarm the temple all through the year. The flock of devotees presumes a much multihued gaze during bi-annual Navratri revelry – held two times a year in the stellar calendar months of Ashwin and Chaitra commonly acknowledged as the Navratris.
Karni Mata :-was a Hindu astute born in the Charan class. She is revered as the embodiment of deity Durga by her followers. She is the deity of the imperial family of Bikaner and Jodhpur. She survived an abstemious life and was extensively venerated during her lifetime. At the appeal of Bikaner Maharaja, she laid the underpinning shingles for 2 significant citadels in the area. The most famed of her temples is the shrine in Deshnoke town, near Bikaner, which was formed following her inexplicable desertion from her home.
Sachiya Mata:-The Sachchiya Mata Temple is located in Osian, near Jodhpur city in Rajasthan.Shri Sachchiyay Mataji also called Shri Osiya Mataji is kuldevi of Oswals.
Sakambhari Mata:-In Hindu tradition, Shakambari is an embodiment of Ishwari, ensemble to Shiva. She is the celestial mother, entitled “Bearer of the Greens”. In Hindu tradition, any Vegetarian ARTICLE is measured as Shakambari Devi’s Prasad. The prehistoric place of reverence of the Diety Shakambari is located at Sakarai, Rajasthan.
Sakariya Mata: Worshiped in the sekhawati region and is appeased by sweet offerings.
Holika Mata:- Regarded by Rajasthani ladies as mother and ashes of Holi are considered sacret.

Rajasthan is a state in northwestern India. It is the largest state in India by area, and the seventh-largest by Population. The state is known for its desert landscape, forts, and palaces. Rajasthan is also home to a number of religious movements and saints.

One of the most important religious movements in Rajasthan is the Bhakti Movement. The Bhakti movement was a devotional movement that emphasized the importance of personal faith and devotion to God. The Bhakti movement began in the 12th century and spread throughout India. It had a major impact on the religious landscape of Rajasthan.

A number of saints were associated with the Bhakti movement in Rajasthan. One of the most important saints was Adi Guru Ravidas. Adi Guru Ravidas was born into a family of cobblers in the 15th century. He was a poet and a social reformer. He is considered to be the founder of the Ravidassia religion.

Another important saint associated with the Bhakti movement was Kabir. Kabir was born into a Muslim family in the 15th century. He was a weaver and a poet. He is considered to be one of the most important saints in the Bhakti movement.

The Bhakti movement had a major impact on the religious landscape of Rajasthan. It led to the development of new religious traditions, such as the Ravidassia religion. It also led to the spread of Hinduism and Islam in the region.

In addition to the Bhakti movement, there are a number of other religious movements and saints in Rajasthan. One of the most important religious movements is Vaishnavism. Vaishnavism is a Hindu sect that worships Vishnu as the supreme god. Vaishnavism is the dominant religion in Rajasthan.

One of the most important saints associated with Vaishnavism is Shri Nathji. Shri Nathji is a form of Krishna. He is worshipped in a number of temples in Rajasthan.

Another important saint associated with Vaishnavism is Shri Vallabhcharya. Shri Vallabhcharya was a 16th-century saint who founded the Vallabh sect of Vaishnavism.

Rajasthan is also home to a number of folk deities. These deities are worshipped by the people of Rajasthan. Some of the most important folk deities in Rajasthan are:

Devnarayan: Devnarayan is a folk deity who is worshipped by the people of Mewar. He is considered to be a protector of the people.
Jaldevji: Jaldevji is a folk deity who is worshipped by the people of Marwar. He is considered to be a god of water.
Jhulelal: Jhulelal is a folk deity who is worshipped by the people of Sindh. He is considered to be a god of rain.

Rajasthan is a state with a rich religious history. It is home to a number of religious movements and saints. The people of Rajasthan are devout and they worship a variety of deities.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Rajasthan:

What is the capital of Rajasthan?
The capital of Rajasthan is Jaipur.
What is the population of Rajasthan?
The population of Rajasthan is 73,786,157.
What is the area of Rajasthan?
The area of Rajasthan is 342,239 square kilometers.
What is the language spoken in Rajasthan?
The language spoken in Rajasthan is Rajasthani.
What is the religion of the majority of people in Rajasthan?
The religion of the majority of people in Rajasthan is Hinduism.
What are some of the popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan?
Some of the popular tourist destinations in Rajasthan are the Amber Fort, the Hawa Mahal, the City Palace, and the Jal Mahal.
What are some of the famous foods from Rajasthan?
Some of the famous foods from Rajasthan are kachori, daal baati churma, and laal maas.
What are some of the famous festivals in Rajasthan?
Some of the famous festivals in Rajasthan are the Teej Festival, the Pushkar Camel Fair, and the Gangaur Festival.
What are some of the famous people from Rajasthan?
Some of the famous people from Rajasthan are Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi.
What are some of the interesting facts about Rajasthan?
Some of the interesting facts about Rajasthan are that it is the largest state in India by area, it is the birthplace of the Thar Desert, and it is home to the world’s largest camel fair.
What are some of the challenges facing Rajasthan?
Some of the challenges facing Rajasthan are POVERTY, illiteracy, and Unemployment.
What are some of the opportunities for Rajasthan?
Some of the opportunities for Rajasthan are tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing.
What is the future of Rajasthan?
The future of Rajasthan is bright. The state has a young population, a growing economy, and a rich culture. With the right policies and investments, Rajasthan can become one of the most prosperous states in India.

Sure, here are some MCQs about Rajasthan:

Which of the following is not a major language spoken in Rajasthan?
(A) Hindi
(B) Marwari
(C) Punjabi
(D) Gujarati
The capital of Rajasthan is:
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Ajmer
The largest city in Rajasthan is:
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Ajmer
Rajasthan is known for its:
(A) Deserts
(B) Palaces
(C) Forts
(D) All of the above
The Thar Desert is located in:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Haryana
(D) Punjab
The Mehrangarh Fort is located in:
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Ajmer
The Hawa Mahal is located in:
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Ajmer
The City Palace is located in:
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Ajmer
The Lake Palace is located in:
(A) Jaipur
(B) Jodhpur
(C) Udaipur
(D) Ajmer
The Taj Mahal is located in:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Haryana
(D) Punjab
The Kumbh Mela is held in:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Haryana
(D) Punjab
The Pushkar Camel Fair is held in:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Haryana
(D) Punjab
The Ranakpur Jain Temple is located in:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Haryana
(D) Punjab
The Eklingji Temple is located in:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Haryana
(D) Punjab
The Karni Mata Temple is located in:
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Gujarat
(C) Haryana
(D) Punjab

I hope these questions were helpful!