Veer Tejaji (29 January 1074 - 28 August 1103) also known as Tejaji Maharaj, or simply Tejaji, was a great warrior, social reformer, cow protector and folk-deity in Rajasthan. In rural parts of northern Rajasthan, he is revered as a deity and is considered to be one of Lord Shiva's eleven primary incarnations. He is mainly worshipped in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. He is commonly known as the God of Snakes in Rajasthan, because it protect against snake bites or also worshipped as Dhauliya Veer.
Early life
Veer Tejaji was born on 29 January 1074, in the family of Dhawal Dev Khichi, a Chauhan Rajput chieftain in Kharnal, Nagaur and Ram Kunwari in Kharnal village of Nagaur district in Rajasthan.
As per the historians, it is believed that Ram Kunwari, Tejaji mother, got a boon from Nagaraja and gave birth to a baby named, Teja Ji. His parents were worshippers of Lord Shiva.
Story
Halsotia: The Sacred Duty
In the rural heartland of Rajasthan, tradition dictated that the chieftain Tejaji, must initiate the plowing of fields after the first monsoon rains in the month of Jyestha. This ritual, known as “halsotia,” held immense significance. Tejaji embraced this duty with unwavering determination, ready to turn the soil and honor age-old customs.
When Tejaji was on his way to confront the dacaits, Basak Naag, a snake, was burning in the fire, and Tejaji saved him from burning. That snake cursed and wanted to bite him. Tejaji assured that he would come back after taking Lachha cows back.After that, Tejaji fought with the Meenas in the valley of Chang, about 15 km from Sursura. He killed all 350 Meenas in the fight and got back the cows of Lachha Gujari.
Tejaji is also known as God of Snakes, because of this when anyone gets bitten by snake, then there are rituals to visit Tejaji temple and seek blessings from Tejaji.
Commemoration
thumb|India Post, Government of India releases commemorative postage stamp of Tejaji Maharaj|right|220pxTeja Dashami is a festival celebrated in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on the Dashami Tithi (tenth day) of the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight of the Moon) in the month of Bhadrapada. The occasion commemorates the life and sacrifice of Tejaji, who is revered as a folk-deity and hailed for his commitment to truth and promise.
In September 2011, India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp depicting Tejaji. The Government of Rajasthan later constituted the Rajasthan State Veer Tejaji Welfare Board for Farmers, comprising seven members including a chairman and vice-chairman. The board is tasked with reviewing the socio-economic conditions of farmers and recommending measures to address their backwardness.
Tejaji’s life has also been depicted in cultural media. A Rajasthani-language film titled Veer Tejaji was produced in the 1980s. In November 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Tejaji Temple at Kharnal village, Nagaur, Rajasthan, to pay homage to the folk deity.
Personal life
Tejaji married Pemal, daughter of Raimal, chieftain of Paner village in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. He was just nine months old at the time of marriage, while Pemal was six months old, and they got married at Pushkar Ghat on Pushkar Purnima in 1074. His wife, Pemal, and his sister, Rajal, practiced sati pratha when Tejaji sacrificed his life for cows.
Gallery
This section includes pictures of some temples dedicated to Veer Tejaji.
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Tejaji Temple Kharnal.JPG|Tejaji temple at Kharnal, Nagaur, Rajasthan
File:Tejaji's marriage.JPG|Painting depicting Tejaji's marriage in Pushkar, Rajasthan
File:Tejaji Mandir Sursura.JPG|Teja Dham at his death place in Sursura, Ajmer
File:Tejaji Temple at Palot village.jpg|Tejaji temple at Palot village
</gallery>
See also
- Kharnal - Tejaji birth place
- Paner - Tejaji marriage place
- Sursura - Tejaji samadhi place
References
Further reading
- Madan Meena: Tejaji Gatha (Hadoti & Hindi), Kota Heritage Society, Kota, 2012 (Published under the World Oral Literature Project, University of Cambridge, UK)