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Gogaji Chauhan, also known as Jahirpeer or Jaharveer Chauhan and Bagad Wala, is a Folk religion Hinduism deity in the northern India. He is worshipped in the northern states of India especially in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab region, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu Division and Gujarat. He is a warrior-hero of the region, venerated as a saint and a protector against snake bites. Although there are references to him in the folklore of Rajasthan, little historical knowledge of Gugga exists other than that he ruled the small kingdom of Dadrewa (in present day Rajasthan) and was a contemporary of Prithviraj Chauhan. “ In Churu, Rajasthan, the traditional Jaharveer Gogaji fair came alive, drawing devoted crowds who displayed their reverence by dancing with snakes. This festival holds significant importance in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Gogaji, revered as a peer by both Hindus and Muslims, is seen as a guardian of children. Numerous legends surround his divine birth and his reputed ability to heal snakebite victims.”
According to one belief, Goga was born with the blessings of Guru Gorakhnath, who gave 'Gugal' fruit (Commiphora wightii) to Goga's mother Bachhal which was used to name him. Another belief is that he was called Goga because of his remarkable service to cows. (Gou in Sanskrit)
2)Rani Siriyal
He is particularly popular among those engaged in agrarian pursuits, for whom the fear of snakebite is common. Although a Hindu, he has many Muslim devotees and is chiefly considered to be a saint ( pir) who had the power to cure the effects of poison ( jahar).
He was reputed to be a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath. According to Muslim oral tradition prevalent in Punjab, he learnt the way of entering and leaving solid earth by a Muslim Pir Hazi Rattan of Bathinda. Shivam Vij 18/01/2013 Goga is also believed to have lived for some time in Bathinda.James Todd (1920) Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan: Or The Central and Western Rajput States of India, Volume 2
The cult is prevalent in Rajasthan and other states of northern India, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the north western districts of Uttar Pradesh. His followers can also be found in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. He also has a number of followers in the Jammu district of J&K state.
Worship of Goga starts in Bhaadra month of Hindu calendar. On the 9th of Bhadra, the people worship his symbol, a black snake painted on a wall. Worshippers take a fly-flap, known as chhari, round the village. Devotees pay their respect to it and offer churma. The Savayians sing devotional songs known as ‘Pir ke Solle’ in his honour to the accompaniment of Damaru. Beating of deroos is the exclusive privilege of the Savayian community; others may sing, dance or offer charhawa. It is believed that the spirit of Gugga temporarily takes abode in the devotee dancer who lashes himself with a bunch of iron chains. People also open their rakhis on this day(bhadra krishna paksh navmi) and offer them to him. They also offer sweet puri (a type of sweet chappati) and other sweets and take his blessing.
Grand fairs are held at samadhi sathal Gogamedi. Gogamedi is 359 km from Jaipur, in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. It is believed that Goga went into samādhi at Gogamedi. Thousands of devotees gather to pay homage at this memorial annually in the month of Bhadrapada during the Goga fair, which lasts for three days. The fair is held from the ninth day of the dark half of Bhadrapada (Goga Navami) to the eleventh day of the dark half of the same month. People sing and dance to the beats of drums with multicoloured flags called nishans in their hands. The songs and on the life history of Gogaji are recited accompanied by music played with traditional instruments like Damru, Chimta, etc. At his birthplace Dadrewa, the fair goes on over a month. Devotees from far eastern places of Dadrewa start arriving from the beginning of the auspicious month of Bhaadra. These devotees are commonly known as purbia (those who belong to east). It is a common sight to see people with snakes lying around their necks. According to a folklore in and around his birthplace Dadrewa it is believed that if someone picks up even a stick from johad (a barren land which has a sacred pond in Dadrewa), it would turn into a snake. Devotees of Gogaji worship him when they get a snake bite and apply sacred ash (Vibhuti) on the bite as an immediate remedy.
In the Punjab region, it is traditional to offer sweet Vermicelli to the shrines of Gugga JiAlop ho riha Punjabi virsa – bhag dooja by Harkesh Singh Kehal Unistar Book PVT Ltd and sweet fried bread (mathya ()). He is worshiped in the month of Bhadon especially on the ninth day of that month. Gugga is meant to protect against snake bites and he is venerated in shrines known as marris. The shrines do not conform to any religion and can range from antholes to structures that resemble a Sikh Gurdwara or a Mosque. When worshipping Gugga, people bring vermicelli(sewai) as offerings and also leave them in places where snakes reside.Bhatti, H.S Folk Religion Change and Continuity Rawat Publications People perform a devotional dance while dancing on the legendary songs of bravery sung in his praise.
On the day of Gugga naumi, when offering the sweet dish, songs are sung which include:
ਪੱਲੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਥੀਆਂ
ਨੀ ਮੈਂ ਗੁੱਗਾ ਮਨਾਓੁਣ ਚੱਲੀਆਂ
ਨੀ ਮੈਂ ਬਾਰੀ ਗੁੱਗਾ ਜੀ
Palle mere mathyaa
ni mein Guggaji di puja karn challyaa
ni mein bari Gugga ji
Translation
I have got mathya
I am going to worship Gugga ji
Oh Gugga ji
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