Saints and Sects of Rajasthan : Hindu, Muslim, Jain

Major Hindu saints and sects of Rajasthan

1. Dadu Dayal Ji :-

• Birth : Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
• He was brought up by a Brahmin named Lodiram.
• Guru : Brahmanand Ji
• Initially he lived in Sambhar (Jaipur) but later moved to Amer (Jaipur).
• He spent his last days in Naraina (Jaipur Rural). (Naraina was earlier in Jaipur district, currently it is in Jaipur Rural district.)
• In 1585 AD, he met Mughal emperor Akbar in Fatehpur Sikri (Agra) along with Raja Bhagwant Das of Amer (Jaipur).
• He gave the message of Nirgun Bhakti.
• He is also called “Kabir of Rajasthan”. Because just like Kabir Das Ji gave the message of Nirgun Bhakti, in the same way he gave the message of Nirgun Bhakti.
• He gave his sermons in ‘Dhundhadi language’.
• His place of satsang is called ‘Alakh Dariba’.
• He started the ‘Nipakh movement’.
• According to them, the dead body should not be burnt or buried but should be left in the open field for animals and birds to eat.
• His dead body was kept in Bhairana hill (Dudu). This hill is called ‘Dadu Khol’ or ‘Dadu Palka’. (This hill was earlier in Jaipur district, currently it is in Dudu district.)
• Main center : Naraina (Jaipur Rural), here his fair is held from Falgun Shukla Panchami to Ekadashi.
• His temple is called ‘Dadudwara’. Where his ‘Vaani’ (book) is worshipped.
• He founded the “Dadu Sect”.
• Branches of Dadu Sect : Dadu Sect was divided into 5 branches. Such as :-
  1. Khalsa : Those Dadu Panthi who consider Naraina as their main centre are called Khalsa.
  2. Viraakt : Those Dadu Panthi who leave their homes and adopt renunciation are called Virakt.
  3. Utrade : Those Dadu Panthi who went to Haryana are called Utrade.
  4. Khaki : Those Dadu Panthi who started wearing khaki clothes and started applying ash on their body are called Khaki.
  5. Naga : Those Dadu Panthi who abandoned clothes were called Naga.
• Main disciple : He had 52 main disciples who are called 52 pillars. Some of the main disciples are as follows-
  1. Sundardas Ji (bade) :-
     • Real name : Bhimraj
     • He was the younger brother of Bikaner Maharaja Kalyanmal.
     • Title : Gai Bhom Ro Bahru
     • Main centre : Ghatda village (Alwar)
     • Branch : He founded the ‘Naga branch’ of the Dadu sect.
     • Naga Sadhu :-
       • They carry weapons with them.
       • Their place of residence is called ‘cantonment’.
       • King of Jaipur ‘Sawai Jai Singh’ included them in the army of Jaipur.
       • During the Maratha invasions, they helped King of Jaipur ‘Sawai Pratap Singh’.
  2. Rajjab Ji :-
     • Born : Pathan family, Sanganer (Jaipur)
     • After listening to the teachings of Dadu Dayal Ji, he did not marry and lived in the guise of a groom throughout his life.
     • Books : Rajjabvani, Sarvangi
     • Main centre : Sanganer (Jaipur)
  3. Sundardas Ji (Chhote) :-
     • Born : Khandelwal family (Dausa)
     • He spent most of his time in Fatehpur (Sikar).
     • He wrote 42 books. Such as- Sundar Sagar, Sundar Vilas, Gyan Samudra
     • Main centre : Getolav (Dausa)
  4. Balind ji : He wrote a book named ‘Arilo’.
  5. Gareeb Das ji : After Dadu Dayal ji, he sat on the seat of Naraina (Jaipur), i.e. he was his successor.
  6. Miskin Das ji
  7. Sant Das ji
  8. Madho Das ji
  9. Bakhna ji

2. Jambhoji :-

• Birth : Panwar (Rajput) family, Pinpasar (Nagaur)
• Childhood name : Dhanraj
• Other name : Guru Jambeshwar, Scientific Saint
• Death : Lalasar (Bikaner)
• Father : Lohat ji Panwar
• Mother : Hansabai (Hansa Devi)
• Guru : Gorakhnath Ji
• Preaching place : Santhri
• Books : Jambh Sagar, Jambh Samhita, Bishnoi Dharma Prakash
• Main center : Mukam (Bikaner)
• Other centers :-
  1. Janglu (Bikaner)
  2. Jambha (Phalodi)
  3. Ramdabas (Jodhpur)
• Fairs : Two fairs are held in a year. Like-
  1. Ashwin Amavasya
  2. Phalgun Amavasya
• He is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• During the famine, on his request, Delhi Sultan ‘Sikander Lodi’ sent fodder for the Bikaner region (animals).
• King Jodha of Jodhpur and King Bika of Bikaner (Jodha’s son) also respected him.
• In 1485 AD, at a place called Samrathal, he gave 29 (20 + 9 = Bishnoi) teachings to his followers, so his followers are called ‘Bishnoi’ (20 + 9).
• The sacred tree of Bishnoi is Khejri and the sacred animal is deer.
• Main teachings :-
  1. Green trees and plants should not be cut. (Khejri)
  2. Animals should not be killed. (Deer)
  3. Blue coloured clothes should not be worn.
  4. Widow remarriage was encouraged. That is, widows should be married.

3. Jasnath Ji :-

• Birth : Jyani Jat family, Katariyasar (Bikaner)
• Father : Hammir Ji
• Mother : Rupade
• Guru : Gorakhnath Ji
• Main centre : Katariyasar (Bikaner)
• Other centres :-
  1. Bamblu (Bikaner)
  2. Likhmadesar (Bikaner)
  3. Poonrasar (Bikaner)
  4. Malasar (Bikaner)
  5. Panchala Siddha (Nagaur) : This centre is called the “Mathura of the Jasanathi Sect”.
• In 1500 AD, he met Jambhoji at a place called Gorakh Malia (Bikaner).
• Sikander Lodi gave him Malasar village.
• His wife ‘Kalde’ is also worshipped along with him.
• He gave 36 teachings to his followers.
• His followers-
  • Consider Jaal tree and peacock feather sacred.
  • Perform fire dance.
  • They wear a black woolen thread around their neck.
• They hold three fairs in a year. Like-
  1. Chaitra Shukla Saptami
  2. Ashwin Shukla Saptami
  3. Magh Shukla Saptami
• Their texts/books (texts/books of Jasnathi sect):-
  1. Simbhudada
  2. Koda
• Disciples of Jasnath Ji :-
  1. Lalnath Ji (Book : Jeev Samjhotri)
  2. Ramnath Ji (Book : Yashonaath Purana, this book is called “Baiber of Jasnathi sect”)
• Rustam Ji (Aurangzeb honoured him by giving him a Nagada and Nishan/flag)
• He started the Jasnathi sect.
• Badi : In Jasnathi sect, the place where saints take Samadhi is called ‘Badi’.
• There are total 84 Baris in Jasnathi sect.
• He blessed Luunkaran to become the king of Bikaner.

4. Charandas Ji :-

• Birth : Dehra (Alwar)
• Childhood name : Ranjit
• Father : Muralidhar
• Mother : Kunjobai
• Guru : Shukdev
• Main centre : Delhi
• Fair : Basant Panchami
• Books : Dharma Jahaz, Bhakti Padarath, Nasaket Leela
• He gave 42 sermons to his followers in Mewati language.
• His followers wear yellow clothes.
• He gave the message of both Nirgun and Sagun devotion.
• He started the “Charandas sect”.
• In the Charandas sect, Lord Shri Krishna is worshipped with Sakhi Bhaav.
• He predicted the attack of Nadirshah.
• In 1739, Iran’s king Nadirshah attacked India.
• Jaipur Maharaja Pratap Singh gave him ‘Koliwada village’.
• Main disciples:-
  1. Dayabai (Books : Daya Bodh and Vinay Malika)
  2. Sahjobai (Book : Sahaj Prakash)

5. Haridas Ji :-

• Birth : Kapadod (Deedwana), Kapadod was earlier in Nagaur district, currently it is in Deedwana district.
• Real name : Harisingh Sankhla
• Main centre : Gadha (Deedwana), Gadha was earlier in Nagaur district currently it is in Deedwana district.
• He was a dacoit earlier but later became a saint.
• He gave the message of both Nirgun and Sagun types of devotion.
• He started the “Haridasi sect”. Which is also called “Niranjani sect”.
• Books (Granth) :-
  1. Mantra Raj Prakash
  2. Hari Purush Ji’s words

6. Sant Mavji :-

• Birth : Sabla (Dungarpur)
• Main centre : Sabla (Dungarpur)
• Other centres :
  1. Punjpur (Dungarpur)
  2. Paloda (Banswara)
  3. Sheshpur (Udaipur)
  4. Daalawala (Dungarpur)
• He used to worship Lord Shri Krishna as ‘Nishkalnk Avtaar’, hence he started the “Nishkalanki Sampradaya”.
• His followers consider him as “Kalki Avtaar of Lord Vishnu”.
• His followers consider him as ‘Kalki’ (10th) incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• Book (Granth) : Chopra
• Chopra Granth :-
  • It is written in ‘Vaad Vivaad Style‘.
  • It is read on the day of Diwali.
  • Predictions have been made in it. In which ‘Third World War’ has also been predicted.
  • It has five parts. Like-
    1. Prem Sagar
    2. Megha Sagar
    3. Saam Sagar
    4. Ratan Sagar
    5. Anant Sagar
• He gave his sermons in ‘Vaagdi Bhasha’.
• Beneshwar Dham :-
  • Located : Confluence of Som, Mahi and Jakham rivers, Sabla Tehsil (Dungarpur)
  • It was founded by Sant Mavji.
  • Other names : Haridwar of tribals, Pushkar of Vagad, Kumbh of Vagad

7. Balanandacharya :-

• Main centre : Lohargal (Neem ka Thana), Lohargal was earlier in Jhunjhunu district, currently Neem ka Thana is in the district.
• He kept an army with him, hence he is called ‘Lashkar Sant’. (Lashkar = army)
• He protected 52 idols of Hindu gods and goddesses against Aurangzeb.
• He sent his army against Aurangzeb and helped Raj Singh (Mewar) and Durgadas Rathore (Marwar).

8. Sant Pipa :-

• Real name : Pratap Singh Khinchi
• He was the king of Gagron.
• Guru : Ramanand Ji
• He stayed at Gagron during his journey to Dwarika (Gujarat).
• At this time, along with his queen Sita, he took to sanyaas and made his younger brother Achaldas Khinchi the king of Gagron.
• The tailor community considers him as their main deity.
• Temple : Samdari (Balotra), Samdari was earlier in Barmer district, currently it is in Balotra district.
• Cave : Toda (Kekri), Toda was earlier in Tonk district, currently it is in Kekri district.
• Chhatri (Cave) : Gagron
• Fair : Chaitra Purnima (hanuman jayanti)
• Impressed by him, King Shursen of Toda distributed all his wealth among the poor.
• He gave the message of Nirgun Bhakti.

9. Sant Dhanna :-

• Birth : Jat family, Dhuan Kalan (Tonk)
• Guru : Ramanand Ji
• He started the Bhakti movement in Rajasthan.
• His influence is also visible in Punjab.
• Temple : Boranada (Jodhpur)
• He gave the message of Nirgun Bhakti.

10. Navaldas ji :-

• Birth : Harsolav (Nagaur)
• He was a contemporary of Raja Mansingh.
• Father : Khushalram
• Main centre : Jodhpur
• He started the “Naval sect”.
• Book (Granth) : Nawaleshwar Anubhav Vani
• Fair : Bhadrapad Krishna Ashtami (Janmashtami)
• He used to give his sermons in Marwari language.
• He supported monotheism.

11. Swami Lal Giri :-

• Birth : Sulkhania (Churu)
• Main centre : Bikaner
• He started the “Alakhiya sect”.
• Book (Granth) : Alakh Stuti Prakash

12. Santdas ji :-

• Main centre : Dantra (Bhilwara)
• He started the “Gudad sect”.

13. Rajaram Ji :-

• Main centre : Shikarpura (Jodhpur Rural), Shikarpura was earlier in Jodhpur district, currently it is in Jodhpur Rural district.
• He gave the message of environmental protection.
• People of Patel community consider him as their main deity.

14. Maluknath ji :-

• He was a prominent saint of Alwar.
• He belongs to the “Garibdasi sect”.

15. Devotee poet Durlabh :-

• He is called “Nrisinh of Vagad” because just like there were devotees of Lord Shri Krishna in Gujarat, there were devotees of Lord Shri Krishna in Vagad, Kavi Durlabh.
• He is called “Narsingh of Vagad” because just as there was a devotee of Lord Shri Krishna called ‘Narsingh’ (Narasi) in Gujarat, similarly there was a devotee of Lord Shri Krishna called ‘Kavi Durlabh’ in Vagad.

16. Meera Bai :-

• Birth : Kudki (Beawar), Kudki was earlier in Pali district, currently it is in Beawar district.
• She was brought up by his grandfather Duda in Medta (Nagaur).
• Other name : Radha of Rajasthan
• Father : Ratan Singh
  • He was a feudal lord of Bajoli (Pali).
  • He attained martyrdom while fighting in the Battle of Khanwa (1527).
• Mother : Veer Kunwar
• Grandfather : Dudaji (King of Medta)
• Husband : Bhojraj (son of Maharana Sanga)
• Guru : Raidas
• Granth (Books) :-
  1. Geet Govind
  2. Padavali
  3. Rukmani Mangal
  4. Satyabhama Nu Rusno
  5. Narsiji Ro Myro (written with the help of Ratna Khati)
• She considered Lord Shri Krishna as her husband and worshipped him with ‘Sagun’.
• She merged into the idol of Lord Shri Krishna in Ranchhod temple of Dwarka (Gujarat), that is, she was absorbed in the idol.
• According to Mahatma Gandhi, she was a Satyagrahi woman who fought against injustice.

17. Ranabai :-

• Birth : Harnawa village (Parbatsar tehsil, Didwana), Harnawa village was earlier in Nagaur district, currently it is in Didwana district.
• Other name : Second Meera of Rajasthan
• Father : Ramgopal
• Mother : Gangabai
• Guru : Chaturdas ji (The Saints of Paldi)
• Fair : Bhadrapada Shukla Triyodashi
• Temple : Harnawa village (Parbatsar tehsil, Nagaur)
• She did not marry.
• She attained Samadhi.
• She was a devotee of Lord Shri Krishna.
• During the Ahmedabad war, she protected Maharaja Abhay Singh of Jodhpur.

18. Gavari Bai :-

• Birth : Nagar Brahmin family (Dungarpur)
• Other name : Meera of Vagad
• Maharawal ‘Shiv Singh’ of Dungarpur built ‘Balamukund Temple’ (Lord Shri Krishna) for her in Dungarpur which is also called “Gavari Bai’s Temple”.

19. Bhuri Bai Alakh :-

• Birth : Sardargarh village (Rajsamand)
• She was a prominent female saint of Mewar.

20. Vallabh Sampradaya :-

• Founder : Vallabhacharya
• In this sect, Lord Shri Krishna is worshipped in ‘child form’.
• The temples of this sect are called ‘Haveli’. In which ‘Haveli music’ is sung.
• In this sect, pictures of Lord Shri Krishna are made on the walls of temples which are called ‘Pichwai’.
• There are 41 temples of this sect in Rajasthan. The main temples are as follows-
  1. Mathuresh Ji (Kota)
  2. Shrinath Ji (Sihad/ Nathdwara, Rajsamand)
  3. Dwarkadhish Ji Temple (Kankroli, Rajsamand)
  4. Gokulchandra Ji Temple (Kaman, Deeg)
  5. Madan Mohan Ji Temple (Kaman, Deeg) : Kaman was earlier in Bharatpur district, currently it is in Deeg district.
• Sawant Singh (Kishangarh) :-
  • Under the influence of this sect, Maharaja Sawant Singh of Kishangarh changed his name to Nagaridas.
  • Sawant Singh spent his last days in Vrindavan.
• Bhim Singh (Kota) :-
  • Under the influence of this sect, Kota Maharao Bhim Singh changed his name to ‘Krishnadas’.
  • Under the influence of this sect, Bhim Singh changed the name of Kota to ‘Nandangram’ and Shergarh to ‘Barsana’.
  • He built a temple of Sanwariya Ji in Baran.

21. Gaudiya Sampradaya :-

• Founder : Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Gaud/ Bengal)
• Lord Shri Krishna is worshipped in this sect.
• Main temples of this sect in Rajasthan :-
  1. Govind Dev Ji Temple (Jaipur) :-
     • Sawai Jai Singh built this temple.
     • The king of Jaipur considered himself the Diwan (PM) of Govind Dev Ji.
  2. Madanmohan Ji Temple (Karauli) : It was constructed by Maharaja Gopalpal of Karauli.

22. Nimbarka sect :-

• Founder : Nimbarkacharya
• Main centre : Salemabad village (Kishangarh tehsil, Ajmer)
  • This center was established by Parashuram ji. That is, Parashuram ji established the sect here.
  • Parshuram ji was born in Khandela of Sikar.
• In this sect, Radha is considered to be the wife of Lord Shri Krishna.
• Fair (of the sect) : Radha Ashtami (Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami)
• This sect has the most influence in the Shekhawati region.

23. Parnami sect :-

• Founder : Prananath ji
• Main centre : Panna (Madhya Pradesh)
• Book : Kujalam Swaroop
• Lord Shri Krishna is worshipped in this sect.
• There is a temple of this sect in Adarsh ​​Nagar, Jaipur.

24. Ramanandi sect :-

• Founder : Ramanand Ji
• Those disciples of Ramanand Ji who went towards Sagun Bhakti joined the ‘Ramanandi sect’.
• In this sect, Lord Shri Ram is worshipped as ‘Rasik Nayak’, hence this sect is also called ‘Rasik sect’.
• During the reign of Sawai Jai Singh, Krishna Bhatt wrote a book called ‘Ram Rasau’. In which the love story of Ram and Sita has been described.
• Centers of this sect in Rajasthan :-
  1. Galta Ji (Jaipur) :-
     • The centre of Ramanandi sect located in Galta Ji was established by ‘Krishnadas Payhari’.
     • King of Amer ‘Prithviraj’ and his queen ‘Balabai’ were disciples of Krishnadas Payhari.
     • Galav Rishi lived here whose ashram was in Galta Ji. Hence, Galta Ji was named ‘Galta Ji’ due to the ashram of sage Galav.
     • It is famous for the Sun Temple.
     • Due to the abundance of monkeys, it is also called ‘Monkey Valley’.
     • The Bhakti movement in India started from South India.
     • People of Ramanuja sect also live in Galtaji.
     • Ramanuj (Tamil Nadu) was the guru of ‘Ramananda’, the founder of Ramanandi sect.
     • It is also called Totadri of North India because just as the main center of Ramanuja sect in South India is ‘Totadri’ (Tamil Nadu), similarly the main center of Ramanuja sect in North India is ‘Galtaji’.
  2. Rewasa (Sikar) : The center of Ramanandi sect in Rewasa was established by ‘Agradas ji’.

25. Ramsnehi sect :-

• Founder : Swami Ramcharan Ji Maharaj
• Those disciples of Ramanand Ji who went towards Nirgun Bhakti joined the ‘Ramsnehi sect’.
• This is a sect of Nirgun Bhakti.
• In this sect, Dasharath’s son Ram is not worshipped but ‘Nirgun Ram’ is worshipped.
• Saints in this sect wear pink coloured clothes.
• Centers of this sect in Rajasthan :-
  1. Shahpura (Bhilwara) : This center was established by Ramcharan Ji.
     • Ramcharan Ji :-
       • Birth : Vijayvargiya (Vaishya) family, Sodha (Tonk)
       • Childhood name : Ramkishan
       • Father : Bakhtaram
       • Mother : Deu
       • Guru : Kriparam Ji (Dantra)
       • Book : Anbhaivani
       • Shahpura’s King Ransingh built a chhatri and a monastery for him.
     • ‘Phooldol Mela’ is organized in Shahpura (Bhilwara) on ‘Chaitra Krishna Ekam’, the day after Holi.
  2. Rain (Nagaur) : This center was established by Dariyav Ji.
     • Dariav Ji :-
       • Birth : Dhuniya (Pathan) family, Jaitaran (Pali)
       • He was a Muslim.
       • Father : Mansa
       • Mother : Giga
       • Guru : Pemdas Ji
       • He was the oldest (Senior Most) Ramsnehi saint.
  3. Singthal (Bikaner) : This center was established by Hariramdas Ji.
     • Hariramdas Ji :-
       • Birth : Brahmin family, Singhthal (Bikaner)
       • Father : Bhagchand Joshi
       • Mother : Rami
       • Guru : Jaimaldas Ji (He is called the ‘Adi Acharya of Singhthal branch’ of this sect because he was the Guru of Hariramdas Ji, the founder of Singhthal branch)
       • Granth : Nishani (Yoga Granth i.e. related to Yoga)
  4. Khedapa (Jodhpur) : This center was established by Ramdas Ji.
     • Ramdas Ji :-
       • Birth : Meghwal family, Bhikamkor (Jodhpur)
       • Father : Sardul
       • Mother : Anbhi
       • Guru : Hariramdas Ji
     • Jaimaldas Ji is called the ‘Adi Acharya of Khedapa branch’ of this sect because he was the Guru of Hariramdas, the Guru of Ramdas Ji, the founder of Khedapa branch. That is, he was the Guru of Ramdas Ji’s Guru.

26. Nath sect :-

• Founder : Gorakhnath
• This sect has two branches like-
  1. Maan Nathi : The main center of this branch is Mahamandir (Jodhpur).
  2. Vairag Nathi : The main center of this branch is Ratadunga (Nagaur).
• Jalore’s ‘Sire Mandir’ is related to Nath sect.
• When Man Singh was in Jalore, Devnath had predicted that he would become the king of Jodhpur.
  • Man Singh :-
    • Other name : Sanyasi King of Marwar
    • After becoming the king, he built ‘Mahamandir’ and ‘Udaymandir’ in Jodhpur for the Nath sect.
    • He wrote a book named ‘Nath Charitra’.
• Yogi Ratan Nath blessed Devnath to become the king of Jaisalmer.

27. Undaria/Undariya sect :-

• This sect is popular among the Bhil tribe living in the area around Jaisamand Lake (Udaipur).

28. Kamdiya sect:-

• Founder : Ramdev Ji
• Women of Kamdiya sect perform ‘Terahtali dance’ in Ramdev Ji’s fair.

29. Kunda sect :-

• Founder : Mallinath Ji

30. Mehoji Godara :-

• He was a saint of the Vishnoi sect.
• He wrote Ramayana in Rajasthani language.

Major Muslim saints and sects of Rajasthan

1. Laldas Ji :-

• Birth : Meo family, Dholidub (Alwar)
• He was a woodcutter.
• Father : Chandmal
• Mother : Samada
• Guru : Gaddan Chishti
• Son : Qutub Khan [Its main centre is Bandholi (Alwar)]
• Samadhi : Sherpur (Alwar)
• Main centre : Nangla Jahaj (Bharatpur)
• Urs (Fair) :-
  1. Ashwin Shukla Ekadashi
  2. Magh Purnima
• He was a contemporary of Dadu Dayal Ji.
• He had more influence in the Mewat region.
• He gave his sermons in ‘Mewati language’.

2. Narhad Peer :-

• Main centre : Narhad (Jhunjhunu)
• Urs (fair) : Krishna Janmashtami, Narhad (Jhunjhunu)
• Other name : Hazrat Shakkar Baba, Bagar ka Dhani
• Disciple : Salim Chishti

3. Syed Fakhruddin :-

• Main centre : Galiakot (Dungarpur)
  • This place is called ‘Mazar-e-Fakhri’.
• Galiakot is the main centre of Dawoodi Bohra sect.
• Urs (fair) : 27th of Moharram month

4. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti :-

• Birth : Sanjar (Iran)
• Guru : Khwaja Usman Haruni
• Daughter : Bibi Hafiz Jamal (His tomb/dargah is located in Ajmer.)
• He came to India during the invasions of Mohammad Ghori.
• During the reign of Prithviraj Chauhan, he made Ajmer his main center.
• Mohammad Ghori gave him the title of “Sultan-ul-Hind”.
• Delhi Sultan Iltutmish started the construction of his dargah in Ajmer and Malwa Sultan Ghiyasuddin Khilji (Malwa) completed the construction.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq was the first Sultan/King of Delhi to visit his Dargah.
• Akbar visited his dargah 14 times.
• Akbar had gifted 18 villages to his Dargah.
• Mewar Maharana Jagat Singh-II had gifted four villages to his dargah.
• Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur (Marwar) gave land grant to his dargah.
• Chhatrapati Shahu was the first Maratha king who sent gifts to his dargah.
• Aurangzeb’s sister Jahanara visited his dargah and wrote his biography “Munis-ul-Akhah”.
• Urs (fair) : 1st to 6th of Rajab month, Ajmer
  • The Gori family of Bhilwara starts his Urs by hoisting the flag.
• ‘Kul ki Rasm’ is performed on the 6th of Rajab month at his dargah in Ajmer.
• ‘Bade Kul ki Rasm’ is performed on the 9th of Rajab month at his dargah in Ajmer.
• His descendants also spread the Chishti sect in other places. For example-
  1. Fakhruddin came to Sarwad (Ajmer)
  2. Hisamuddin came to Sokhta Sambhar (Jaipur).

5. Sheikh Hamiduddin Nagauri :-

• Birth : Delhi
• Guru : Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
• Wife : Bibi Khadina (She was also a spiritual woman.)
• Grandson : Sheikh Fariduddin
• Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti gave him the title of “Sultan-ut-Tarikin”.
• He used to do farming in Suwal village (Nagaur).
• He was completely vegetarian.
• His residence was called ‘Phool Mahal’.
• He rejected the gifts of Iltutmish.
• Iltutmish built ‘Bulan Darwaza’ (Atarkin’s Gate) in Nagaur in his honor.

6. Sheikh Fariduddin :-

• Grandfather : Sheikh Hamiduddin Nagauri
• He was a contemporary of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
• He got his grandfather’s ‘Malfoozat’ (Surur-us-Sudur) prepared.
• Malfoozat : The books in which the sermons of Sufi saints are written are called Malfoozat.

7. Khwaja Makhdum Hussain Nagauri :-

• He was a saint of the Chishti sect.
• He was the spiritual successor of Sheikh Hamiduddin Nagauri.
• He had prepared 30 books of the Quran which are called ‘noor-e-nabi (Noorunnabbi)’.
• He built the ‘Rasool Badi garden’ and ‘Mustafa Sagar pond’ in Nagaur.
• Tultan of Mandu sent him money, so he built the dome at the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer and the boundary wall of the dargah of Sheikh Hamiduddin Nagauri in Nagaur.
• At this time the capital of Malwa (Madhya Pradesh) was Mandu.

8. Sheikh Burhan Chishti :-

• Main centre : Talaghola (Jaipur)
• The king of Jaipur did not take ‘tax’ from his dargah in Talaghola.
• He had more influence among the Afghans of Roh (Afghanistan).

9. Sheikh Kabir Chishti :-

• He was a descendant of Sheikh Hamiduddin Nagauri.
• Main Center : Nagaur
• He initially lived in Nagaur but later moved to Ahmedabad.

10. Sheikh Ishaq Maghribi :-

• He founded the Maghribi sect.
• Main centre : Khatu (Nagaur)

11. Sheikh Ahmed :-

• Guru : Sheikh Ishaq Maghribi
• He performed Haj pilgrimage.
• Main centre : Khatu (Nagaur)
• In 1398 AD, he met Timur in Delhi.
• Later, on the call of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, he went to Gujarat.
• He made Sarkhej (Gujarat) his main centre.
• Their ‘Khanqah’, ‘Madrasa’ and ‘Mazar’ are located in Sarkhej (Gujarat).
  • Khanqah : Where Sufi saints live.
  • Madrasa : Where Sufi saints teach.
  • Mazar : Where Sufi saints are buried.
• Title : Qutub-ul-Aqtab, Ganjbakhsh

12. Shah Ghulam Imam (Sheikh Manoo) :-

• He was a descendant of Sheikh Hamiduddin Nagauri.
• Main centre (Mazar/Dargah) : Singhana (Neem Ka Thana), Singhana was earlier in Jhunjhunu district, currently it is in Neem Ka Thana district.

13. Ghulam Moinuddin (Chandshah) :-

• Main centre (Mazar/Dargah) : Singhana (Neem Ka Thana)

14. Qazi Hamiduddin Nagauri :-

• According to Abul Fazal, he was the Qazi in Nagaur for 3 years.
• Later on he went to Baghdad.
• Guru : Sheikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardy
• He made Nagaur the main centre of Suhrawardi sect.
• Mazar (Dargah) : Delhi

15. Rasool Shah :-

• Main centre : Bahadurpur (Alwar)
• Guru : Niamat Ullah Khan
• He started the Rasoolshahi sect.
• People of Rasoolshahi sect drink alcohol.

Major Jain saints and sects of Rajasthan

1. Acharya Bhikshu Swami :-

• Birth : Kantalia (Pali)
• He founded the ‘Terapanth branch’ (Shvetambara) of Jainism, that is, he started the Terapath sect.
• Death : Siriyari (Pali)

2. Acharya Tulsi :-

• Birth : Ladnun (Didwana), Ladnun was earlier in Nagaur district, currently it is in Didwana district.
• He was the 9^th Acharya of the Terapanth sect/branch of Jainism.
• In 1949, he started the ‘Anuvrat Movement’ from Sardarshahar (Churu) to promote moral values ​​in society.
• In 1991, he founded the ‘Jain Vishwabharati University’ in Ladnun (Didwana).
• In 1994, he organized the ‘Maryada Mahotsav’ in Sujangarh (Churu).
• He emphasized on immersion (distribution).
• He said that “A human being is a human being first and then a Hindu or a Muslim”.

3. Acharya Mahapragya :-

• Birth : Tamkor (Jhunjhunu)
• He was the 10^th Acharya of the Terapanth sect/branch of Jainism.
• He played a key role in the ‘Anuvrat Movement’ (Sardarshahar, Churu).
• In 1979, he introduced ‘Science of Living’ in education for character building and all-round development.
• In 2001, he started the ‘Ahimsa Yatra’ from Sujangarh (Churu).
• In 2003, President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam organized the ‘Sarva Dharma Sammelan’ in Surat (Gujarat), which he presided over.
• Books : The Family and Nation, Economics of Mahaveer

Contribution of Folk Saints

1. Political Contribution :-

• Many folk saints belonged to royal families. Hence, they influenced the public more.
• The kings and Maharajas were influenced by the saints. Hence, they became generous towards the public.
• They protected religion and the nation.

2. Social Contribution :-

• They worked to increase Hindu Muslim unity. Like- Acharya Tulsi
• They made efforts to remove untouchability.
• They emphasized on women empowerment. Like- Meera Bai
• They made efforts to bring about social reforms. Like- Jambhoji encouraged widow remarriage.
• They freed the society from contemporary diseases.

3. Religious Contribution :-

• He opposed religious rituals and emphasized on simple devotion.
• He started a new ideology of devotion like Nirgun Bhakti
• He promoted moral and spiritual values ​​in the society. Like- Anuvrat Movement

4. Financial Contribution :-

• Fairs are organized in their temples which promote economic activities.
• These fairs promote tourism in Rajasthan.

5. Environmental Contribution :-

• He promoted environmental and wildlife conservation.

6. Artistic Contribution :-

• Temples were built by his followers, which promoted the architecture of Rajasthan.
• Pictures related to gods and goddesses were made in his temples, which promoted painting. For example – Pichwai

7. Cultural Contribution :-

• His followers developed folk songs, folk dances and musical instruments, which led to cultural development. For example- Agni dance, Terhatali dance
• Their fairs and festivals promoted social harmony.

8. Literary contribution :-

• He gave his sermons in local dialects, which strengthened the Rajasthani language.
• He wrote many books, which led to the development of Rajasthani literature.