Folk deities of Rajasthan

At a glance

1. 1Panch Pir, as the RBSE book lists them: Pabuji, Harbhuji (Hadbuji), Ramdevji, Mehaji Mangaliya and Gogaji. Tejaji is not one of them.
2. 2Bhadrapad fairs: Goga Navami (Krishna Navami), Mehaji at Bapini (Krishna Ashtami), Ramdevra (Shukla Dwitiya to Ekadashi), Devnarayanji at Asind (Shukla Saptami), Teja Dashami (Shukla Dashami).
3. 3Chaitra fair: Mallinathji's cattle fair at Tilwara (Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi to Chaitra Shukla Ekadashi).
4. 4Phad (painted scroll) is made by the Joshi painters of Shahpura (Bhilwara); Bhopas sing Pabuji's to the ravanhatha and Devnarayanji's to the jantar.
5. 5Kallaji Rathore, hero of Akbar's siege of Chittorgarh (1567-68), is the four-armed folk deity.
6. 6Mallinathji goes with Tilwara, not Gagron; Gagron is Sant Pipa's.

Main folk deities at a glance

• PabujiCamel deityMain place: Kolu, near PhalodiFair and date: Annual fair at KoluKnown for: Camel deity; Lakshman's avatar in popular belief; mare Kesar Kalmi; phad sung by BhopasFull notes →
• GogajiSnake deityMain place: Dadrewa (Churu); Gogamedi (Hanumangarh)Fair and date: Goga Navami, Bhadrapad Krishna Navami, at GogamediKnown for: Snake deity; Jahar Pir; revered by Hindus and Muslims; guru GorakhnathFull notes →
• RamdevjiRamsa PirMain place: Ramdevra (Runicha), near Pokaran, JaisalmerFair and date: Bhadrapad Shukla Dwitiya to EkadashiKnown for: Ramsa Pir; Kamadiya Panth; Terah Tali; neja and RikhiyaFull notes →
• TejajiSnake-bite deityMain place: Kharnal (Nagaur); fair at ParbatsarFair and date: Teja Dashami, Bhadrapad Shukla DashamiKnown for: Jat hero; freed Lachha Gujri's cows; snake-bite deity; mare LilanFull notes →
• DevnarayanjiGurjar hero of the BagrawatsMain place: Asind (Bhilwara)Fair and date: Bhadrapad Shukla Saptami, at AsindKnown for: Gurjar hero of the Bagrawats; phad sung to the jantarFull notes →
• Harbhuji (Hadbuji)Omen expertMain place: Bengti, near PhalodiKnown for: Sankhla Rajput; disciple of Balinath; omen (shakun) expert; his cart (gadi) is worshipped
• Mehaji MangaliyaOne of the Panch PirMain place: BapiniFair and date: Bhadrapad Krishna Ashtami, at BapiniKnown for: One of the Panch Pir; omen expert; fell fighting Rao Rangdev Bhati of Jaisalmer
• MallinathjiRuler of MahewaMain place: Tilwara, on the LuniFair and date: Cattle fair, Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi to Chaitra Shukla EkadashiKnown for: Ruler of Mahewa; the region Malani is named after him
• Kallaji RathoreFour-armed folk deityMain place: Mewar regionKnown for: Four-armed folk deity; fought at Chittorgarh during Akbar's siege

Phad painting and Bhopas

A phad is a painted cloth scroll of a folk deity's life. Bhopas carry it rolled on a stick from village to village and narrate the story in front of it to the tune of the ravanhatha or the jantar. It combines painting, song, music and folk religion.

• Pabuji ki phad: sung by Bhopas of the Nayak (Thori) community with their wives, the Bhopis; it is sung when a sick camel recovers after a vow to Pabuji.
• Devnarayanji ki phad: sung to the jantar; India Post issued a stamp on it on 2 September 1992.
• Painters: the Joshi painters of the Chhipa caste at Shahpura (Bhilwara); Shrilal Joshi is the best-known. The final outlines are drawn only in black.

What the folk deities share

• The RBSE book notes that the aim of these stories is to carry their lessons, such as protecting the weak and keeping one's word, to the people; not every detail need be literally true.
• Several are revered by Hindus and Muslims alike: Ramdevji as Ramsa Pir, Gogaji as Jahar Pir and Goga Pir.
• Nath gurus: Gogaji is linked with Gorakhnath; Ramdevji and Harbhuji with Balinath.
• Village thans: Ramdevji's footprints (pagliye) on a raised platform under a tree; Gogaji's stone carved with a snake, usually under a khejri tree.

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