Gogaji, also known as Gugga, is a saint and folk deity of Rajasthan. He was the son of Raja Jewar Singh of Bhagar Desh. His mother rani Bachal worshiped Guru Gorkhnath ji for 12 years and by the blessing of Guru Gorkhnathji, Gogaji was born. Gogaji was a Chauhan Rajput.
Birth & Early Days of Gogaji
Rani Bachal’s sister Rani Kachal deceived her in getting guru Gorakhnath’s blessings but Gogaji’s mother managed to get Gorakhnathji’s Gugal candies (a herb to treat people of infertility). She distributed that herb among villagers that included even a mare, who gave birth to a blue horse that Gogaji later rode.
Early days of Gogaji were spent at Dadrewa, a small village situated on Hissar-Bikaner highway in the Churu district. His family ruled this area around 900 AD.
Gogaji became so popular in this region, that a fair is still held every year near Dadrewa in his remembrance.
Gogaji’s as peer for Muslims and saint for Hindus
When Gogaji came to know that Rani Kachal deceived his mother, he killed the sons of Rani Kachal and told about this to his mother. Rani Bachal got angry and instructed him not to show his face. Gogaji went to guru Gorakhnathji and asked him what to do. Gorakhnathji through his magic slided the land beneath the Gorkh Dunes and Gogaji took Samadhi at that place with his horse. Before taking Samadhi, Gogaji recited Kalma, a popular Islamic prayer, so that he can also be known as Muslim peers.
Annual Procession – Gogaji Fair
Every year Gogaji fair is held in memory of the popular hero. Some people also worship him as snake-god. 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 three days. Gogaji is famous as Goga Veer among Hindus and Jahar Peer in Muslims.
