Jalaram Bapa was born in Virpur, Rajkot district, Gujarat in 1799 on the seventh day of the Kartika month, corresponding this year to Sunday, November 23.
His parents (Pradhan and Rajbai) belonged to the Thakkar clan, a sub-group of the Lohana clan. He was a devotee of the Lord Rama.
Since his early years, Jalaram was involved in his father’s business, but was more interested in serving pilgrims and saints than in commercial activities.
When he was 16 years old, Jalaram married Virbhai, daughter of Pragjibhai Thakkar (Somaiya) at Atkot. However, he was inclined to withdraw from materialistic life and become an ascetic. Pious and saintly, Virbai supported her husband’s mission in serving the community and feeding the poor and needy.
Feeding Centre
Jalaram Bapa became the disciple of Bhoja Bhagat of Fatehpur and learnt the ‘Guru Mantra’ and ‘Japa Mala’ in the name of Lord Rama. He established ‘Sadavrat,’ a feeding center with the blessings of his Guru. This was a place where saints, travellers and those in need could find food round-the-clock.
One day, a visiting saint gave him an idol of Lord Rama, saying that the Deity of Lord Hanuman will appear soon on its own. True to his word, the Deity along with that of Sita and Lakshman emerged from the earth a few days later. From then on, the food items kept in his house became inexhaustible.
Jalaram’s fame spread and he was considered a Divine Incarnation. Every visitor to Virpur, irrespective of his or her religion, caste, creed, income or social status, was fed at the Centre. The tradition continues to this day.
When he was 20 years old, Jalaram, accompanied by his wife, embarked on a pilgrimage to the holy cities of Ayodhya, Varanasi and Badrinath.
Miracle cures
Stories of his miracles abound. Once, Haraji, a tailor, who was suffering from severe stomachache, visited Jalaram, who prayed to God and the man was cured. He fell at Jalaram’s feet and addressed him as Bapa.
Since then he is known as Jalaram Bapa.
Thereafter, the Centre became the destination for hundreds of people seeking remedy for their physical ailments and freedom from problems. He continued to perform miracles in the name of Lord Rama. Hindus and Muslims became his disciples.
Muslim followers
In 1822, Jamal, son of a rich Muslim merchant fell ill and doctors gave up all hope.
Haraji told Jamal of his experience and Jamal prayed from his house, that if his son is cured of the disease, he would give 40 maunds (about 1120 kilograms) of grain to Jalaram Bapa for his Centre. His son recovered and Jamal visited the house of Jalaram Bapa with cartloads of grains and called him Jala so Allah!
According to a source, God, in the guise of an old saint told Jalaram to send Virbai to serve him. With her consent, Jalaram complied. But after walking some miles and reaching a nearby forest, the saint asked Virbai to wait for him. She waited but the saint did not return. Instead, she heard a voice from the Sky stating that it was a test of the hospitality of the couple.
Before the saint disappeared, he left a Danda (wooden stick) and Jholi (cloth bag), which are on display at Virpur.
No Offerings
The Main Shrine of Jalaram Bapa is located within his housing complex in Virpur, along with the idols of Lord Rama, Lord Hanuman, Sita and Lakshman and the Danda and Jholi. The main attraction however is the black and white picture of Jalaram Bapa, taken about a year before his death.
The Temple authorities decided not to accept any offerings from February 9, 2000, setting a new world record.
Source: Wikipedia; sent by Manoj Patel, Papatoetoe, Auckland
Times Report
The following report that appeared in The Times of India (Ahmedabad) issue dated November 2, 2011 is of relevance.
“At a time when temples across the country are witnessing a mad scramble for donations in Temples, the Jalaram Bapa Temple in Virpur, roughly 52 kms from Rajkot, has completed a decade without charity.
The Temple, which stopped accepting donations in cash or kind since February 9, 2000, reverberated with celebrations on November 2, 2011, as the town observes 212th birth anniversary of Jalaram Bapa, revered as God.
The atmosphere was nothing less than Diwali with hundreds of thousands of devotees thronging this little town. Decorated tableaus traversed the entire town with children enacting plays based on mythological stories.
Jaysukhram Bapa (84) a descendent of Jalaram Bapa family, said, “We have stopped accepting donations since last 10 years. We only want to feed people whole-heartedly and with sincerity.”
When asked about the reason for the trust not accepting donations, he quipped, “There cannot be any reason for not accepting donations. We only want people to get blessings, have the Prasad and return satisfied. Whoever offers money or any other charity is requested to take it back and instead use them to help the needy.”
The Trustees and priests are seen politely requesting devotees to take back their donations.
