At a glance
- Born at Kolu, near Phalodi, in 1239 CE to Dhandhal Rathore (RBSE book).
- Rode Deval Charani's mare Kesar Kalmi to save her cows from Jindrao Khinchi of Jayal and fell in that fight in 1276 CE (RBSE).
- Wife: Supiyarde, daughter of Surajmal Sodha of Amarkot; he left in the middle of the wedding rounds to save the cows.
- Camel deity: credited with first bringing camels to Marwar; seen as Lakshman's avatar.
- Symbol: a horseman holding a spear.
- Annual fair at Kolu; Bhopas sing Pabuji ki phad to the ravanhatha.
- Pabu Prakash is by Modji Ashiya. He is one of the Panch Pir.
Facts
| Born | Kolu, near Phalodi; 1239 CE (RBSE book) |
|---|---|
| Father | Dhandhal Rathore |
| Mother | An apsara, according to the legend; raised by Kamlade (Art and Culture Department) |
| Wife | Supiyarde, daughter of Surajmal Sodha of Amarkot |
| Mount | Mare Kesar Kalmi, belonging to Deval Charani |
| Died | 1276 CE (RBSE), fighting Jindrao Khinchi of Jayal to save the cows |
| Main place and fair | Kolu, where an annual fair is held |
| Symbol | Horseman holding a spear |
| Devotees | Raika (Rebari) camel herders; the Thori and Bhil communities |
| Known as | Camel deity; Lakshman's avatar (popular belief); one of the Panch Pir |
Life and legend
According to the legend, Pabuji was born of an apsara and was raised by Kamlade in the house of Dhandhal Rathore. In the middle of his wedding to the daughter of Surajmal Sodha of Amarkot, Jindrao Khinchi of Jayal, his rival brother-in-law, seized the cows of Deval Charani over an old feud. Deval asked Pabuji for help; after three of the wedding rounds he rode off on her mare Kesar Kalmi and died fighting with many companions to save the cows.
The RBSE book credits him with first bringing camels to Marwar, which is why he is worshipped as the deity of camels.
Years differ between sources. Learn the RBSE book's: born 1239 CE, died 1276 CE. The Art and Culture Department gives his birth as Vikram Samvat 1276 or 1299 instead, so do not mix the two '1276's.
Worship and fair
- Main shrine at Kolu, where a fair is held every year.
- Raika (Rebari) herders pray to him when a camel or cow falls sick; when a sick camel recovers, Bhopas and Bhopis sing his phad.
- He is counted among the Panch Pir.
Phad and ravanhatha
- Pabuji ki phad: a painted scroll of his life, sung through the night by Bhopas of the Nayak (Thori) community to the ravanhatha, with the Bhopi singing alongside.
- It is painted by the Joshi painters of the Chhipa caste at Shahpura (Bhilwara).
Literature
- Pabu Prakash, by the poet Modji Ashiya, tells his life.
Remember: often mixed up
- Phad and Bhopa belong to Pabuji (and Devnarayanji); the neja and Rikhiya belong to Ramdevji.
- Pabuji's instrument is the ravanhatha; Devnarayanji's is the jantar.
- Camel deity = Pabuji; snake deities = Gogaji and Tejaji.
- Jindrao Khinchi was the enemy; Deval Charani owned the cows and the mare.
- Kolu's fair is in Chaitra; the Ramdevra, Goga and Teja fairs are in Bhadrapad.
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