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Gogaji Fair is held in the memory of a popular hero of the
area who is known as Goga Veer among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the
Muslims. The Kayam Khani Muslims claim descent from him and regard him as
a peer (saint). The devotees of Gogaji can be found in
Uttar Pradesh
, Punjab ,
Madhya
Pradesh and Maharashtra
. In Gujarat ,
an annual procession is taken out in honour of the great warrior.
Gogaji
is popular as a snake-god and almost every village in Rajasthan has a
'Than' (sacred place) dedicated to him. Staunch believers have faith that
invoking Gogaji will help to cure a snake bite or other diseases and many
visit the Gogaji Fair to make a wish or for expressing their gratitude
when their wishes come true.
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 3 days.
The 'samadhi' is a marble structure with two minarets and fortified by a
boundary wall. The idol of Gogaji is seated on a blue horse with a snake
coiled around the neck. An inscription in Persian can be seen at the main
entrance, which describes Mahmud Ghazni's regard for Gogaji. He had
arranged for the renovation of the memorial as a token of gratitude when
his wish was fulfilled.
OFFERINGS & RITUALS
The main mode of worship is rubbing incense at the samadhi. Offerings of
coconuts, 'batashas' (sugar drops) and cash are made at the samadhi.
Priests are engaged by the devout for conducting special prayers in which
praises of Gogaji are sung. The atmosphere inside the hall is serene and
sanctified. Fragrance and incense heighten the feeling of purity and
devotion.
Outside the main hall, Nath priests can be seen carrying whips (replicas
of Gogaji's 'chabuk'), which are considered lucky and offerings are made
to them. Many people can be seen singing and dancing, carrying
multicoloured flags called 'nishans' in their hands. Drums and gongs
provide rhythm to the hymn singing.
Rail: The Samadhi of Gogaji is located 3 kms. away from the railway station of Goga Medi. This Northern Railway station is 359 kms. away from Jaipur.