Jalaram Bapa

Jalaram Bapa

Birth date	4 November 1799
Place of birth	Virpur, Gujarat, India
Died	23 February 1881 (aged 81)
Spouse	Virbai Thakkar

Jalaram Bapa (1799 – 23 February 1881) was a revered Hindu saint from Gujarat, India, known for his selfless service, compassion, and devotion to God. He is mostly worshipped in the state of Gujarat and Thursday is the day associated with him. He is normally portrayed as wearing white with a stick on his left hand and tulsi mala in his right hand in his images.

Early Life and Background:

Jalaram Bapa was born in Virpur, a small village in the Rajkot district of Gujarat, on 4 November 1799, one week after the Hindu festival of Diwali, to Pradhan Thakkar and Rajbai Thakkar. His birth name was Jalaram. His family belonged to the Lohana caste, traditionally involved in business and trade. From a young age, Jalaram displayed an inclination towards spirituality and compassion for the less fortunate. He was not willing to live a householder life and wanted to carry on doing his father's business. he mostly engaged in serving sadhus and saints. He separated himself from his father and stayed with his uncle, Valjibhai. at the age of 16, Jalaram married Virbai, the daughter of Pragjibhai Thakkar. Jalaram became the disciple of Bhoja Bhagat of Fatehpur at the age of 18 who gave Jalaram the Guru Mantra and Jap mala of Rama. Jalaram started Sadavrat, a Feeding center by the blessings of his guru where sadhus, saints and the needy could meal any time for free. Once a sadhu came to Jalaram's house and gave him a statue of Hanuman in which after the installation of the idol, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana appeared. People from any religion, caste, creed were fed by Jalaram and are still welcome at Virpur. It is believed that a tailor named Haraji was suffering from severe stomach-ache in which Jalaram prayed to God and in a result, Haraji was cured. Haraji fell on Bapa's feet and addressed him as Bapa. Since then Jalaram was known as Jalaram Bapa. In the year of 1822, Jamal's son felt ill and doctors gave up. at this point, Haraji told Jamal about his experience of Jalaram Bapa. Jamal prayed to Jalaram bapa that if his son is cured, he would offer 40 maunds of grain to Jalaram Bapa for the sadavrat. As soon as his son was recovered, Jamal visited Jalaram Bapa with grains and called him Jalla so Allah.

Divine Calling:

At the age of sixteen, Jalaram married Virbai, and the couple settled in Virpur. It was during this time that Jalaram is believed to have experienced a divine calling. He renounced worldly pleasures and dedicated his life to serving humanity. Inspired by the teachings of the Bhakti movement, Jalaram began his journey as a devotee of Lord Rama, practicing compassion, humility, and service to all.

Service and Miracles:

Jalaram Bapa's life was marked by numerous acts of service and miracles, earning him a reputation as a saintly figure. He selflessly served the poor, hungry, and needy, providing them with food, shelter, and comfort. Jalaram's compassion knew no bounds, and his generosity attracted people from all walks of life.

Many miraculous incidents are attributed to Jalaram Bapa, including instances of healing the sick, feeding the hungry with seemingly endless supplies of food, and providing solace to those in distress. His devotees believe that he possessed divine powers bestowed upon him by Lord Rama.

Legacy and Devotion:

Jalaram Bapa's legacy continues to inspire millions of people around the world. His teachings emphasize the importance of selfless service, compassion, and devotion to God. Numerous temples and shrines dedicated to him can be found across India, particularly in Gujarat, where he is revered as a symbol of love and compassion.

Every year, on the anniversary of his Samadhi (passing away), known as Jalaram Jayanti, devotees gather to celebrate his life and legacy. His followers continue to uphold his teachings by engaging in philanthropic activities, feeding the hungry, and serving the less fortunate.