Home2008 - June to December08.09. - Pilgrimage



4 volunteers, 1 guest, 2 trustees, 19 Sambhali Jodhpur participants of the Project "Empowerment of women from the 'Harijan' (untouchable) Community", 6 Helpers, 5 days, 180 kilometers walking to Ramdevra village.
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Situated about 12 Kms to the north of Pokhran, the village of Ramdevra known after Baba Ramdev, a Tanwar Rajput and a saint who took Samadhi (conscious exit from the mortal body) in 1458 A. D.

He had miraculous powers and his fame reached far and wide. Legend goes that five Pirs (saints) from Mecca came here to test his power and after being convinced, paid their homage to him. Since then he is venerated by Muslims also as Ram Shah Pir. The Hindus regard him as an incarnation of Lord Krishna.

Near the village, there is a tank known as Ramsar tank which is believed to have been constructed by Baba Ramdev himself. A large step well, the Parcha Baori is also situated nearby.

Baba Ram Dev believed in the equality of all human beings, both high and low, rich and poor. He helped the down-trodden by granting them their wishes.
coconuts, churma and wooden horses (toys), Flags with the saints symbols are offered to Ramdevji by the devotees.

A large fair is held here from Bhadon Sudi 2 to Bhadon Sudi 11 (Aug - Sept) which is attended by lakh of devotees who come in large groups from far and wide. Irrespective of their caste, creed or religious affiliations, these devotees throng the shrine dedicated to the saint. These groups organise night long singing of bhajans and kirtans to pay homage to Baba.


Source: www.rajasthantourism.gov.in

Loading Rickshaw (carrying our bags, kitchen stuff and staff)
 
Sambhali Pilgrims 


Stops at small villages or outskirts of villages

Peter (husband of our volunteer Fayette) kept a wonderful record of the distance, temperature by satellite gadget.
Link to his Google Mapping CLICK HERE

Night 1 - Balarwa
Night 2 - Chiarai
Night 3 - Dechu
Night 4 - Near Lawa
Night 5 - Paying Respect and Homage (Darshan) at Ramdevra and Overnight in Setrawa village project bulilding.

Visiting Setrawa


Sambhali girls in the school building

Youtube films from the Pilgrimage with Sambhali




Newspaper noticed us too - no surprise :-)

The Times Of India
Rajasthan Patrika
Dainik Bhaskar
Dainik Navjyoti


Fayette Fox, one of our volunteers participating in the pilgrim, wrote an interesting report about it.

READ IT
HERE







More Pictures will follow soon!