Ramdev Pir: The God of Poor and Downtrodden

Ramdev Pir is a Hindu deity duly worshiped in the Rajasthan, India. He is also known with the others names like Baba Ramdev Ji, Ramdeo Pir, and Ramsha Pir. He was known to be existed in 1352 to 1385 AD and ruled the fourteenth century. As they say in mythological stories, Lord Ramdev Pir was the Lord of poor and downtrodden. He has done a lot to uplift the poor and suffering part of society, who had pain their life.

The known part of Ramdev Ji is that he is worshipped by all religions in the Rajasthan, namely Hindu, Sikhs, and Muslims without any bias.

Birth of Ramdev Pir Ji

As the mythology depicts, Lord Ramdev Pir Ji was one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, who in Hindus is one amongst the three universal deities. It is said that King Ajmal, who then became the father of Ramdev Ji, had no child with her wife, Queen Minaldevi. He, then out of the pleadings, went to Lord Krishna and kept his wish in front of him. The wish got fulfilled, and he became the father of two sons, Ramdev and Viramdev.

Out of the two, Baba Ramdev was born in Chaitra Shukla Paksh, V.S 1409 at Barmeria Undu, Barmer District in Kashmir.

Belonging of Ramdev Ji with other religions

Despite worshipped as the Hindu Deity, Muslims also worship him, but in the name of Ramshah Pir. He was so powerful and miraculous that people from worldwide were known about him; this led to a legend, where his power and miracles were shown.

The legend goes like this, that knowing of his virtues and power, a group of five Pirs from Mecca came to test him. While getting visited by the Pirs, Ramdev Ji welcomed them and requested them to have food with him. Of which, the Pirs said that they cannot have the meal as their personal utensils are left back in Mecca.

Seeing this as his test, he smiled and said, “See your utensils are coming flying,” and actually, their utensils were coming flying from the Mecca.

This incidence made him legendary, and the Pirs paid him the homage by naming him, Ram Sham Peer. Those Pirs from Mecca were so spellbound of his power that they stayed with Baba Ramdev Ji. And this is the reason why the Samadhis of Five Pirs are also there lying with the Samadhi of Baba Ramdev Ji.

Worshiper of Ramdev Ji: Meghwal Community

In Rajasthan, Baba Ramdev Ji has their followers in Meghwal Community, who worship him every Veda Punam in August and September. This communal reference comes from the book of Ramdev Ji, Meghwal Itihas, which tells that Baba Ramdev Ji was once the Meghwal (as confirmed by Gokuldas, religious leader of Meghwal Community). But, this only source is found Meghwal Community; according to other community and folktales, Baba was one from the Rajpoot Community, Tanwar.

Iconology and beliefs of Baba Ramdev Ji

Baba Ramdev Pir Ji is iconised sitting on horseback with sword and Chattra over his head. According to the stories and folktales, Baba Ramdev Ji was always there for the equality of humans, and he never believed in Rich and Poor. Strengthening his beliefs, he had always helped the poor and downtrodden to raise their life and live it happily.

Baba Ramdev had also made no discrimination among Hindu and Muslims; that is why his worship has crossed the divide. One can even see many from other religions worshiping him too.

His devotees can be spotted in the Indian regions including Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Mumbai, Delhi, and even in Sindh, Pakistan. In fact, not only his worship but his fairs are also organised in Rajasthan.

Temples of Baba Ramdev Ji

Although there are a lot of temples of Baba Ramdev Ji in many states of India and Pakistan too, there is one, which is very popular and often visited by his devotees. This temple is situated in Ramdevra, and it is almost 10km away from Pokhran, Rajasthan.

This temple is said to be the final resting place of Baba Ramdev Ji and was built by the Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1931.

Along with his Samadhis, the temple complex has the Samadhis of his disciples (including Dalibai, etc.) and the Samadhis of Five Pirs from Mecca, who came there to test his power.

Other temples are found at,

Ramderiya
Gangashahar
Nogama
Masooria hills
Bagra
Khundiyas

Toy horse as his offering in Temples

In his temples, there is a popular ritual of giving away toy horse with cloth covering as offerings and the root to which is connected with a folklore that again states one of his miraculous powers. The story tells that one day Baba Ramdev tells his wish of playing with a horse and to which his Father King Ajmal, calls a Toy Maker and offers him Sandalwood and new cloth to make the horse. But, the toy maker, out of his greed, steals most of the new cloth and just for the purpose, puts a cover of the new cloth.

While the gift is presented to Baba Ramdev Pir ji, he happily sits on the horse. Out of nowhere, the horse starts flying in the air and disappears in the sky. Seeing this, his father, King Ajmal becomes very angry and punishes the toy maker. He is sentenced to incarceration. But shortly, Baba Ramdev Ji appears and accuses the Toy Maker for the cheating. The Toy Maker then confesses his crime and begs for forgiveness, which Baba Ramdev Ji grants him. He duly accepts the horse, and since then, a toy horse with a cloth covering is offered in his temples.

Samadhi of Baba Ramdev Ji

Baba Ramdev Ji took his Samadhi in V.S 1442 on Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadasi. When he took the Samadhi, he was just 33 years old. It is also believed that before the two days of his Samadhi, one of his ardent followers also took the Samadhi and was buried right next the grave of Baba Ramdev Ji. His name was Dalibai, and he was from Meghwal Community.