Gogaji Fair, Jaisalmer
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 Gogaji Fair is held in the memory of a popular
hero of the area who is known as Goga Veer among the Hindus and Jahar
Peer among the Muslims. The Kayam Khani Muslims claim descent from him
and regard him as a peer (saint). The devotees of Gogaji can be found
in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. In Gujarat,
an annual procession is taken out in honour of the great warrior.
Gogaji is popular as a snake-god and almost every village in Rajasthan
has a Than (sacred place) dedicated to him. Staunch believers have faith
that invoking Gogaji will help to cure a snake bite or other diseases
and many visit the Gogaji Fair to make a wish or for expressing their
gratitude when their wishes come true.
It is believed that Gogaji went into samadhi at the place now known as Goga
Medi and thousands of devotees gather to pay homage at this memorial annually
in the month of Bhadrapada during the Gogaji Fair which lasts for 3 days.
The main mode of worship is rubbing incense at the samadhi. Offerings of
coconuts, batashas (sugar drops) and cash are made at the samadhi. Priests
are engaged by the devout for conduction special prayers in which praises
of Gogaji are sung. The atmosphere inside the hall is serene and sanctified.
Fragrance and incense heighten the feeling of purity and devotion. |
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