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The
Jains were prominent merchants and traders who served at the
Rajput courts and whose influence in political matters was
considerable. That this may have been because they also
served as money-lenders to the kings is, of course, not
inconceivable. The Jains believe in a continuous
cycle of life and rebirth, and so have no supreme being to
whom they pray. Instead, the Jains have 24 tirthankaras
or ford makers, or more simply those who help people
move from one stage of rebirth to the next: it is their
images that are usually enshrined within the temples. These
idols are often depicted nude, and their is a great rigidity
to their body postures, which is at odds with the relaxed
forms of Hindu iconography.
All over Rajasthan and the neighbouring state of Gujarat
there are magnificent examples of their temple architecture
(the only place where the Jains have exhibited a similar
exuberance in their-residential architecture is in
Jaisalmer). At both Ranakpur, and in the
Dilwara complex in Mount abu, there are groups of
temples: here, pillars, arches, ceilings, facades,
every available space is so profusely carved that it dazzles
the eye.
The only comparable Hindu shrine is one on account of
spectacle rather than splendour. At Pushkar, close to Ajmer,
thousands and thousands of pilgrims gather in November in a
cycle that must be as old as the Jain cycle of births and
rebirths. At least, no one knows just how old the Pushkar
mela or fair is, but if accounts are to be believed, it
is as old as mankind itself. At the heart of the fair is a
temple to Brahma who was cursed that he would not be
propitiated on earth. Eventually he did merit two temples
for himself, of which Pushkar is extremely popular. It is a
coincidence that the camel fair here occurs at the same time
as the holy full moon night when it is considered auspicious
to bathe in the holy pond, and then pray at the temple. For
miles all around, all one can see is a vast sea of
colourfully garbed people, the silhouettes of camels visible
over their heads, and the trail of smoke from hundreds of
campfires in a scene that is reminiscent of Biblical times.
The association of religion with commerce is particularly
close in Rajasthan where most camel and cattle fairs are
associated with places and dates that coincide with worship
at nearby shrines. And on these occasions, faith does not
come in the way of different religious communities. Not
strangely, then, at the Muslim shrine at Ajmer, it is not
uncommon to find Hindus come to pray at one of the most
prominent sites of Muslim pilgrimage in the country.
The shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi has always
enjoyed reknown but it was the Mughals who gave it elevated
status when they chose to come here on their pilgrimages,
and to seek the blessings of an heir. At the annual Urs
festival, pilgrims throng to the shrine for their share of
the saint's blessings and consecrated food that is cooked
piping hot in giant cauldrons in the courtyard. But this is
by no means the only Muslim shrine of reknown, others
including one at Kota, and another at Sikar which is all of
eight hundred years old.
There are popular folk heroes too who are propitiated by the
people of the state, and these include Ramdeoji of
Runicha (near Pokaran) who was known to heal incurable
diseases; Pabuji who helped break barriers between
different castes by sharing their food; Gogaji of
Gogamedi (near Ganganagar) who had the power to heal
snake bites; and Mehaji and his son Harbhuji
who gave up their lives while protecting their village
community. Not only do people come to worship at their
shrines, they also remember them with affection in the form
of folk ballads and performances.
A protective aspect of Shiva that is popular is as
Bhaironji, and there are several shrines to this
manifestation. It is here that people bring their new born
infants for their first haircuts, known as jhadula.
Following their haircut, the children are formally placed in
the protection of the family deity. Rites such as these, it
is believed, ward off misfortune, illness and enemies, and
help to bring in the desired wealth, success, marital bliss,
and even heirs to continue one's lineage. |
