The journey of
pilgrimage for Baba Ramdev as followed in Sindh
By Sanjay Godbole
February 2010
Baba Ramdev, the most venerable for the
majority of Hindus in the Sindh Province of Pakistan, has relationship with the
Rajputana Province in India. In the Tomar dynasty of Delhi, which is also called
Tunvar’, there was a king called ‘Anangpai’. In the year 1412 A.D. at ‘Runecha’
in Rajasthan ‘Ramdev’ was born in the ancestry of this king ‘Anangpai’. The name
of Ramdev’s father was Ajmal and the name of his mother was ‘Mainade’
‘Ramdev’ had a brother named ‘Viramadev’. Once ‘Ramdev’ and ‘Viramdev’,
while playing with a ball wandered and drifted forwards a place called ‘Pokhran’.
After some time ‘Viramdev’ returned home but Ramdev went further and further and
reached directly to the cottage of “Siddha Yogi Balaknath”. [Siddha
Yogi means he who has attained or achieved Siddhi in Yogic science] Balaknath
favoured Ramdev and became Ramdev’s Guru [mentor] and in that capacity gave him
a wise counsel in the form of a Mantra [A codified matrix adoring a deity].
Ramdev slew a cruel and wicked person called ‘Bhairav’. Due to the atrocity and
oppressive behaviour of’ Bhairav’ people addressed him as a demon. Ramdev set
free the area around Pokhran from the clutches of Bhairav. Under instructions
from Balyogi Ramdev and his father populated this deserted area once again,
around Pokhran.
Ramdev practised ascetic exercises and successfully attained
many achievements [feats]. Due to these Godsent powers achieved by Ramdev both
Hindus and Muslims became his followers and devotees. Ramdev, in 1458 A.D. or
around it through profound meditation achieved permanent trance [In Yogic terms,
body and soul getting Separated by will power.] This was at ‘Runecha’ and
Runecha therefore was known and called as ‘Ramdevada’.
At the place of the mausoleum of Ramdev (Where he entered into
the state of trans, that is) a big fair is held in the month of Bhadrapada
and Magha (the sixth and the eleventh month as per the Hindu calendar).
Innumerable devotees flock here from Gujrat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The
priests who perform the worship and other allied rituals in the Ramdeva’s temple
are called ‘Rikhiya’ or Bhagat’. Some devotees sport the Gold or Silver pendents
with the image of Ramdev carved on them as pendants or necklaces. Some spiritual
and religion oriented booklets, such as ‘Ramdev Leela’, ‘Ramdev
Chalisa’ have been written & published for ‘Ramdev’. At the time of
pilgrimage’ his devotees recite the devotional Hymns praising Ramdev throughout
the night and remain awake. Such devotional songs pertaining to Ramdev Baba are
plenty. Ramdev whom the Hindus call Baba Ramdev is called ‘Ramsa
Pir’ by the Muslims. The lines of the devotional song are on the tip of
the tongue by all
devotees. The above lines mean “Oh the Pir of Runecha, kindly
accept our respectful greetings. You only are our master.” The reason as to why
this great saint, who always spoke out against injustice and was engaged in the
devastation of the wicked, was called, ‘Ramsa pir, has an interesting story
always circulated. Having heard much about the name and fame of Baba Ramdev five
Pirs [Muslim saints] from middle east Arabia, came down to ‘Runecha’ to
have glimpses of him. When they were felicitated, they remarked that they had
left the utensils at their home only, inadvertently, in which they ate. So Baba
Ramdev at that very moment, brought to light those very same utensils and fed
those pirs. At that time these five Pirs addressed Ramdev as ‘Bado Pir’
and thus Baba Ramdev became a symbol of Hindu – Muslim unity.
Baba Ramdev lived in a town called ‘Jujal’ in Marwad [a
portion of Rajasthan]. Ramdev had made his nephew alive by his supernatural
power. So also his pear “Saathiya”. Baba Ramdev, was a devotee of lord, Shri
Krishna and believed that Truth always prevails’. Every year many hundreds of
thousand of devotees visit ‘Runecha’ [about one lakh] from different places for
having Darshan [glimpses] of Baba Ramdev. As to the form of Baba Ramdev, it is
believed and agreed upon that Baba Ramdev, when alive was always seen, riding a
horse. All the pictures of Baba Ramdev, therefore are seen as riding a horse
only. Those whose desires, have been fulfilled by the blessings of Baba Ramdev,
present, while returning the commitment which they made, while making a vow,
small replicas of horses made from cloth and also distribute food to the needy.
Like in Rajputana, Baba Ramdev is a symbol of faith and devotion
in the minds of thousands, of devotees. There is a special temple of Baba Ramdev
at a place, called Tando Allahyar’ in the province of Sindh in Pakistan. This
town is always in the limelight on account of the fair for pilgrimage for Baba
Ramdev. In the year 1709 A.D. One Mir Allahyar khan constructed a fort in earth
and clay as a protection to his territory, such a fort is called ‘Kachho Qilo’
in Sindhi language. Due to this fort a town near this fort at a distance of
three kilometers was called” Tando Allahyar”. The remains of the walls of this
fort do exist even to day. The famous folk poet ‘Vatayu’ Fakir of Sindh
has his sepulcher near this town only.
In the year 1933 A.D. the British constructed a canal here
resulting into Tando Allahyar being an affluent town in agriculture since water
of the river Indus became freely available. The special thing about this town is
that prior to partition, Hindus were in majority. After creation of ‘Bangladesh’
many people from Sindh migrated to India even then as on today, Tando Allahyar’
a town of three hundred thousand head count, the Hindu community have sizable
quantity of houses and other real estate.
The Hindus, here, are mostly engaged in agriculture. Some,
however, profess other professions too. The famous mango grove of sindh is
situated here only. Hindus, some of them here communicate in ‘Kachhi Marwadi’
language also. The town of Tando Allahyar is only thirty five kilo meters from
Hyderabad (Sindh). There is a long story as to how this temple of Baba Ramdev
came into being at Tando Allahyar. One Roopchaud Khatri resident of Tando
Allahyar had no issues. This is one hundred fifty years back; he went to Runecha
in Rajasthan and prayed in the temple of Baba Ramdev with a request for getting
a son. He brought along with him a kindled lamp from Temple at Runecha. In
course of time, he got an offspring. As per the directive, which Mr. Khatri
received in his dream, he erected a temple of Baba Ramdev at Tando Allahyar and
placed the lamp in the kindled state in the temple. From that day onwards, that
lamp has been burning in the same kindled state, for almost one hundred fifty
long years. The trustees of the Temple here, say “Our ancestors have never
allowed this lamp to be put out.” The people of Tando Allahyar have a firm
belief that’ The lamp shall continue to be lighted and kindled till the Moon and
the sun do exist and this world continues to last. A replica of the letter ‘Om’
has been artistically erected above the flame of the lamp. After the incidence
of Babri Masjid, at Ayodhya in India, this temple at Tando Allahyar in a
retaliatory reaction in Pakistan was demolished. The lamp, however, continued to
be in the kindled stale, untouched. The residents of Tando Allahyar consider
this fact as heavenly miracle. The temple which occupied only twenty square
meter, has now, after renovation, expanded to an area of one hundred square
meter.
Just
as Warkari’s ( Pilgrims who visit Pandharpur in Maharashtra every year without
fail) from all nooks and corners of Maharashtra, flock to Pandharpur for
glimpses of lord vithal, similarly Hindus of Sindh in Pakistan come to Tando
Allahyar for Pilgrimage of Ramdev. People in Pakistan address Baba Ramdev as ‘Ramapir’.
Since majority of people are peasants or agriculturists by profession, they
conveniently leave for the above pilgrimage at Tando Allahyar in groups, after
finishing their major operations such as sowing etc for their harvesting. People
of various casts and communities congregate here such as Bhils, Koli, Bagdi,
Sanyasi, Menghwad, Khatri Luhar, jogi for the pilgrimage. I was acquainted with
Mr. Ishwardas, the head priest of the temple and trusty of the Hindu community
over here. He told me that every pilgrim has to follow in all, twenty four
rules. The important rule is that flags on which, symbolic foot prints in
vermillion or Red lead are made and such flags are dedicated to the temple. Such
flags are erected in a room near the acme and displayed there. All pilgrims come
to the temple barefooted. Such white flags, in Sindhi language are called “Dhajja”.
After dedicating and erecting the flag, certain religious rituals are required
to be performed . After that some people give copious donations as per their
capacity. The festival begins on the tenth day of the Shukla Paksha of the month
of Bhadrapada [the sixth month as per the Hindu calendar]. In the temple of
Ramdeva, there is an equestrian idol of Ramdev. This idol has been newly
established in the temple. There are pictures of Goddess, lord Shiva, lord
Vishnu and even Sai Baba displayed the devotees break coconuts and give it to
the temple when worshipping, Sweets are also distributed. Incense is burnt
before the Idol. Every evening ‘Pooja Aarati’ – a worship where
devotional songs are recited in front of the deity, with many participating in
this Aarti. People reaching Tando Auahyar from all corners of Pakistani cities
have the glimpses of this sacred lamp with faith and utmost belief. There is a
very big fair, organised under the banner of the festival of Ramdev, during
which an open market for clothes, toys & various articles is held.
Some times ursine shows of bears and animal circuses are also
arranged here. Mr Haji Ali Bakhshi, the leader and the head of Magsi Baloch
community, from Tando Auahyar has kindly given permission to make free use of
his fifty acres of land at the time of this festival. At the time of festival
under the auspices of District collector (Nazim) services are provided and
security is arranged. Many devotees come saying devotional songs and praising
the deity to the temple and stay in the empty space overnight. All the pilgrims
are given food free of any charges from the community kitchen. Shri Ishwardas
informed me that during the fair of Ramdev in the year 2009, about 50000
devotees attended the fair of Ramdev. This fair and the pilgrimage of Baba
Ramdev or Rama pir is a living example of Hindu Unity, religious fervour and
cultural tradition of Hindus in Pakistan. Many Hindus in Pakistan are not aware
of the history of Baba Ramdev. For them, Ramdev is a divine and supernatural
personality. All people have deep love for Ramdev. As the date of festival
approaches near and near, all Hindus are full of Joy and enthusiasm, and they
flock the temple at Tando Auahyar in Multitudes. The devotional songs rhymed in
India and Pakistan are almost similar. All the traditions and cultural practices
are identical. Hence one could easily surmise, that Mela (fair) Ramdevda and the
Pilgrimage of Ramdev in Pakistan are the two facets or dimensions of the same
cultural tradition.
Source: Kashmir
Sentinel
