Gandhinagar: Jalaram Jayanti, which honors the revered Hindu saint Jalaram Bapa, is observed on the seventh day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartak. In 2024, this auspicious occasion will be celebrated tomorrow, i.e., November 8th, according to the Vikram Samvat 2081 Gujarati Calendar.

According to the English calendar, Jalaram Bapa was born on November 4, 1799, in Virpur, Gujarat. This year, devotees are celebrating the 225th birth anniversary of the saint. At the age of 18, he renounced worldly pursuits to become a disciple of Bhoja Bhagat in Fatehpur. His teachings and miracles have left a lasting legacy, inspiring countless followers across India and beyond.

Jalaram Bapa’s life was defined by his selfless service and devotion. He established the Sadavrat feeding center, where free meals were provided to sadhus, saints, and the underprivileged. His grain stores were known for their miraculous, inexhaustible nature.

His teachings transcended religious boundaries, with both Hindus and Muslims among his disciples, all of whom followed him with unwavering devotion.

A prominent saint of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, impressed by Jalaram Bapa’s life, established a major pilgrimage site in Virpur, which remains a revered destination for spiritual seekers.

Celebrations

The tradition of Sadavrat, a mass feeding initiative started by Jalaram Bapa, continues to be practiced by his devoted followers across the globe. In Saurashtra, the saint’s birth anniversary is celebrated on a grand scale, with nearly 2 lakh people visiting the Jalaram Mandir in Virpur.

The main highlight of the day is the distribution of food, with the Mandir administration offering around 20 tons of sweets, 8 tons of Ganthiya, 20 tons of vegetables, 4,500 kg of dal, and 7,500 kg of rice to visitors. Additionally, all Jalaram Temples provide free clothing, literature, fruits, and other essentials to the less fortunate.

Jalaram Jayanti celebrations extend to various towns such as Bilkha, Keshod, Tankara, Dhoraji, Mangrol, Khambhaliya, Porbandar, Kunkavav, Babra, Upleta, Savarkundla, Una, Kutiyana, Rajula, Madhavpur, Kalyanpur, Bhatiya, and Dharmaj, where devotees celebrate with great enthusiasm and reverence.