The Saintly Voices
Sorathee Santvaanee
The Saintly Voices from Sorath 
1947
A collection of
104 Bhajans (Devotional Songs)
Sorathee Santo
The Saints of Sorath
Puraatan Jyot
The Pristine Glow
1928 1938
Twin books depicting
lives of 12
saints of Sorath
click here to view and listen click here to view
Sorathee Santo
The Saints of Sorath
 
Puraatan Jyot
The Pristine Glow
 
1928 1938
 
Twin books depicting lives of 12 Saints of Sorath
in a language which, while being precisely simple, is, at the same time, supremely serene.
   
    
Meghani clarifies

The Saints of Sorath

Guru Gebinath
caste
not available 
sect
Nath
guru
not available
 
Inspirer of the Aapaa tradition which took roots with Aapaa Mepa, who followed him.
A cave atop Songadh Hillock (near Thangadh : District Surendranagar) was his abode where he undertook hard penance.
         
his Temple atop the hillock Songadh Hillock his Cave
 

 
Aapaa Mepa
caste
Prajapati
sect
Gebinath
guru
Gebinath
  
A resident of Thangadh (Dist. Surendranagar), he pursued the profession of a potter and
was blessed by
Guru Gebinath.
 
Jhilaniyu lake located between Surajdeval
and Songadh Hillock, on the outskirts of
Thangadh, where he would be found digging
the earth  (for the soil needed for making potteries),
praising God all the time.
his Samadhi at  Asthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh
 
 
   Aapaa Rata
caste
Kathi
sect
Gebinath
guru
Gebinath
 
A Kathi Darbar from
Moldi (near Chotila : Dist. Surendranagar)
who, after he came in touch with
Aapaa Mepa, trode the path of devotion and service.
 
Baavan Hanuman Temple at Moldi
where he worshipped
his farm in the outskirts of Moldi
where he went every night to guard the crop
and where his lion friends
Gangaram and Motiram came to meet him
his Samadhi at Moldi
 

 
Aapaa Jadra
caste
Kathi
sect
Gebinath
guru
Aapa Mepa
     
A Kathi Darbar from Songadh (near Thangadh : Dist. Surendranagar) who turned over a new leaf once he realised
how great his
father-in-law Aapaa Rata really was.
Believing him to be a Peer, the sick and the sightless, the crippled and the childless --
all sorts of sufferers, from all sections of the society,
came to him for his blessings, which, they thought, could cure them. 
   
Old Songadh atop the hillock
his abode
his Samadhi at
Asthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh
 

 
Aapaa Gorkha
caste
Kathi
sect
Gebinath
guru
Aapa Jadra
    
son of Aapa Jadra, he furthered and fostered the noble tradition of his worthy father.
 
Hanuman Temple atop Songadh Hillock
where he worshipped
The present-day Songadh
which he `founded'
his Samadhi at
Asthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh
 
       

 
 
Dan Maharaj
caste
Kathi
sect
Gebinath
guru
Aapa Jadra
 
 
Born totally blind, he got his eyesight with the blessings of Aapaa Jadra.
He established the Seat at Chalala (Dist. Amreli)
where he served the needy and maintained and cared for cows.
He also set up the tradition of Anna-Kshetra, a free-food-for-all centre
serving
Gol-Chokhaa-Ghee (jaggery, rice and ghee) to anyone who came there.
  
his Belongings Chalala  (Dist. Amreli) his Samadhi
     

 
Visaman Bapu
caste
Kathi
sect
Gebinath
guru
Dan Maharaj
  
 
Once an outlaw, he took to the path of devotion and service after he met Dan Maharaj.
In accordance with his guru's wish he established the Seat at Paliyad (near Botad : Dist. Bhavnagar) and
carried on therefrom the tradition of his Guru.
  
  Hall to hold Daayro Paliyad (near Botad : Dist. Bhavnagar) his Samadhi 
 

 
Aapa Giga
caste
Gadhai
sect
Gebinath
guru
Dan Maharaj
  
He grew up at Chalala
where Dan Maharaj and Visaman Bapu, seeing the spark in him, took him in their wings.
 He established the Seat at Satadhar (Dist. Junagadh) which eventually became a centre for
Gareeb-Sewaa (service to the poor) and Gau-Sewaa (service to cows).
Started the tradition of prasaad of Raab, made from Juvaar (a kind of corn) as  advised by his Guru.
   
Sandhyaa Aartee (evening prayer) Satadhar  (Dist. Junagadh) his Samadhi can be seen behind the tree

   

 
 
Girnari Sant Velnath Bapu
caste
Koli
sect
Nath
guru
Waghnath
   
 
 
view from Damodar Kund Mount Girnar at Junagadh view from Hasnapur Dam
He did Parakamma of Mount Girnar at Junagadh, going round and round the mountain for 12 long years, 
in course of which he scaled every peak, entered every cave and got to know every tree standing there.  
 
        
Velavad, near Bhavnath Taleti, Girnar
He finally returned to the foot, at Bhaveshwar, and brushed his teeth there with a Daatan -- a soft, thin branch of Banyan tree.
 He then split the Daatan into two parts.
One of these, which he casually planted nearby, eventually grew into a grand, spreading Banyan tree and came to be known as Vela Vad.
      
Bhairavjap peak of Girnar
where he did hard penance
    

Velnath-no Veerado
one of the seven such water streams near Bhairavjap peak 
    
his Samadhi at Girnar
 
his Samadhi at Khadkhad  (Dist. Amreli)
 
 
   
Ram Dhangad, a dreaded hunter from Dervan, then a tiny village in the vicinity of Mount Girnar,
who, after he happened to meet Saint Velnath, felt inspired to abandon his ruthless deeds and turn over a new leaf. 
 He later came to be known as Saint Ramaiya, having composed over 300 Bhajans (devotional songs) in his life thereafter.
 
here stood then a dense forest
where he used to hunt
Dervan his place of worship
on the bank of river Ron
Bhajan composed by Saint Ramaiya in praise of his Guru

The Pristine Glow

Sant Devidas
caste
Rabari
sect
Sanatan
guru
Jerambharathi
  
He undertook the noble but daunting task of caring for
the critically-ill patients of leprosy who, till then, were humiliated and left to their ultimate fate.
 
 
Amar Maa and Shardul Bhagat were his disciples.
 
Dattatreya Dhoono  (encampment for worship)
which he kept going
Parabvavdi  (Dist. Junagadh) A Majestic Temple
constructed over
his Samadhi

Bhajan composed by Amar Maa

Kandas Bapu

Kandas Bapu

 
 

 
 
Mekran Dada
caste
Bhatti Rajput
sect
Kapdi
guru
Gangaraja Kapdi
   

Jee Naam ! -- The words, uttered in a specially prolonged and raised voice, with which he used to greet people.
 So characteristic it was that the words became almost his synonym : Its utterance itself became his identity.
 
He dedicated his entire life to the service of the people around him.
Accompanied by his constant, faithful companions -- Lalaram the donkey and Motiram the dog ---
he traversed the tough terrain of the drought-prone Kutch region on foot, in the scorching desert sun,
to try and quench the thirst of people dying for water.
      
    
 

Birthplace

 

 

Nani Khombhdi  (near Nakhtrana : Dist. Kutch)

 
 

Deeksha (initiation)

The Temple

Ashapura Mataji
Mata Na Madh  (Dist. Kutch)

Chaachra Kund

where Mekran Dada, then a boy of just 12, resolved to tread the pathway to God through service to fellow humans. 

 

Dattatreya Temple in Girnar
where Guru Dattatreya is believed to have gifted him Kaavad
(a pair of leather bags, hanging in balance, one each from either end of a strong wooden rod)
which later became synonymous with him.

   
He did hard penance, spending 12 years each at  Bilkha Jungi Lodai and Dhrang
establishing at each place a Dhoono (encampment for worship)

Noorsataagar-nee Jagyaa, Bilkha  (Dist. Junagadh)

     

Jungi  (near Samakhiyali  : Dist. Kutch)

 

Lodai  (near Dhrang : Dist. Kutch)

   
       

The Source

Pargatpani  (near Dhrang : Dist. Kutch)

The water is harnessed into Havaado (reservoir)
for use by the nearby villagers and their cattle

where he is believed to have unearthed water from deep down the ground by just a strike of his Trishool.
The stream of water keeps coming out there even today !

     
    
 

Samadhi

 
 
his Dhoono Dhrang  (near Bhuj : Dist. Kutch) his Samadhi
  
his belongings including the Kaavad which
he used to carry water
the well from which he fetched water
for the thirsty
his Dholio (cot)
    
 While 10 of his dedicated disciples preferred to take Samadhi with him, 
his two steadfast companions -- Lalaram the donkey and Motiram the dog -- also chose to accompany their master along his 'journey beyond'

 Laliyo -- The Treasure of Virtues !          Motiyo -- My Brotherly Strength !
--
Samadhi of Lalaram the donkey and Motiram the dog
  
Samadhi of his brother Patangsha Peer
 who stayed at Jok in Sindh and practiced Muslim religion.
On learning that Mekran
Dada had taken Samadhi he left for Dhrang.  He stayed here for 6 months before he too took Samadhi.
 
then
 
  
some of the Saakhee (short poems) composed by Mekran Dada explaining the deeper meaning of life

  
A well-known Bhajan composed by Mekran Dada which is favourite even today
Kanu Barot

    

   
  
Jesal-Toral
Jesal Peer Sati Toral
caste
Rajput   (Jesal)
Kathi    (Toral)
sect
Maha Panth
guru
Sati Toral      (Jesal)
not available         (Toral)
 
 
Chandaji Jesal, a notorious social discard, was persuaded to return to the path of good by Sati Toral,
the virtuous wife of Kathi saint Sasatiya, a resident of
Kathiawaar
  
 
Bhajans explaining the deeper meaning of life composed by Jesal Peer and Sati Toral are still throbbing in the hearts of the masses.
 
 
Jesal once sneaked into the house of Sasatiya with the intention of stealing the three things Sasatiya prided on :
his famed
Tori female horse, his Tori sword and his wife Toral.
Jesal got caught in the act.
  However, the magnanimous Sasatiya, unbelievable as it might sound, gifted Jesal all the three !
  
  

Jesal Kund  (near Dhrol : Dist. Kutch)

where Jesal rested on his way back home in Kutch along with the three 'gifts'.

.It was here that Jesal first got the Parcho (evidence) of the divine powers Toral was believed to be blessed with.

She, with this power of hers, could sense the intention Jesal harboured to steal cows as the cattle came to the kund to drink water
and dissuaded him from carrying out the sinful idea.

 
 


Artist   Hemant Solanki

Ismail Valera - Diwaliben Bhil
 

Again, while crossing the creek between Kathiawaar and Kutch,
Jesal-Toral encountered a storm which threatened to overturn their boat.

While Jesal paniced, Toral -- as calm and composed as ever --
consoled him, advising him to pray to God with all of his heart and make a clean breast of each one of his past sins.

As he started praying as advised by Toral,  the storm slowly weakened and eventually passed off. 

 
 

Jesal-Toral no Visaamo at Kidana (near Gandhidham : Dist. Kutch)
Jesal and Toral, after disembarking at Tuna port on their way to Anjar, rested for a while on the bank of the lake Jesrasar, named so thereater

    
 

Suman Kalyanpur
 

The Bhajan through which Toral, after they safely landed on the bank across, wised up Jesal to the intricacies of life.

 

Yashwant Bhatt

Ismail Valera

Jesal sang this Bhajan to awaken the unconscious Toral

Jesal was all grief as Toral was leaving for Mewaar to be at a religious ceremony.
He, somehow, had a feeling that it was their last meeting.

 

And so, alas, it turned out : Jesal passed away while Toral was away.

   

Dina Gandharva

Learning about it on her return Toral is believed to have persuaded Jesal to 'wake up'.
What about our word to each other -- she as if reminded Jesal in her voiceless utterance --  to go to the 'world beyond' together ?
And, lo, Jesal woke up -- as if from deep slumber  ! 

They, eventually, took Samadhi together -- true to their word to each other.

 
       
 

Samadhi

 
Samadhi of Tori, Jesal's female horse  Anjar  (Dist. Kutch) Samadhi of Jesal-Toral
 
then

The Saintly Voices from Sorath
  

1947
 A collection of 104 Bhajans (Devotional Songs)
which he jotted down in his notebooks as he moved  places researching  folklore,
       
When the final proofs of his fairly exhaustive, almost 50-page introduction to the book, already printed, arrived to be finalised by him,
Meghani had left this world -- just the night before.
Over the few months prior to this he, who was immersed lifelong -- and neck-deep -- in creating literature,
  seemed to be leaning towards something which he, as if suddenly, realised he had missed out on : 
Saintly Literature -- especially the Devotional Songs.
An undercurrent of his inclination for this, though, perhaps flowed underneath his other writings all along.    
Indeed, he thereafter stopped writing poetry altogether, realising the literature already there more than echoed his feelings.  
  
   Meghani illustrates
      
 

 
Sections
in which the Bhajans are classified

The Lord and the Land

The Pathway of Worship

The Nine Ways of Worship

The Master Tallest

Being Born a Human

Loving is Worshipping
 

 
Poet-Saints
figuring in this collection
Aamba Chhathaa
Akha Bhagat
Raja Amarsinh
Bhawanidas
Bhojalram
Daasee Jeevan
 Devaram
Devayat Pandit
Sant Devidas
Dulabh
Ganga Sati
Raja Gopichand
Guru Gorakhnath
Harji Bhati
Daas Hothi
Jesal Peer
Jethiram
Sant Kabir
Lakhiram
Likhmauji Mali
Sati Loyan
Kaaji Mahmad Shah
Meera Bai
Mahatma Mooldas
Morar Saheb
Paan Bai
Pitha Bhagat
Prem Saheb
Sant Raidas / Rohidas
Sant Ramaiya
Ravi Saheb
Ravidas Mod
Shamal Daas
Sati Toral
Trikam Saheb
 

 
some of the everfresh Bhajans from the collection

Names of different singers who have rendered the same particular song appear, under the title of the song, in
alphabetical order, left to right.

click on the
singer's name
to listen
Ganesh Saakhee (short prayer)
with which would start every Bhajan-singing session
Hemant Chauhan Niranjan Pandya Praful Dave Pranlal Vyas
( Anonymous )

Gangaram Vaghela

Naga Bhagat

Parshottam Pari

Daas Hothi
Hasan Ismail Solanki
Sant Kabir
Hemant Chauhan Kalyandas Mesvaniya
Morar Saheb
Hemant Chauhan
Devaram
  Hemant Chauhan  
Ravi Saheb

Kanu Barot

Narayan Swami

Yashwant Bhatt

Hemant Chauhan

Karsan Sagathia

Vana Jetha Odedara

Lakhiram
Karsandas Yadav
Hemant Chauhan Karsan Sagathia Niranjan Pandya
  Damyanti Bardai  
Jethiram
Kandas Bapu
Hemant Chauhan
Meera Bai
Ismail Valera Narayan Swami Yashwant Bhatt
Raja Gopichand
Arjangiri Bapu Narayan Swami
Anuradha Paudwal - Mahendra Kapoor
Bharati Vyas - Suresh Raval Meena Patel - Praful Dave
Meera Bai
Narayan Swami
Praful Dave
Devayant Pandit
Bharati Vyas Osman Mir
Sati Toral
Kanu Barot Kandas Bapu Mohanlal Rayani
Niranjan Pandya
Likhmauji Mali
Hemu Gadhavi Master Suleman Yashwant Bhatt
  Bharati Vyas  
Sati Toral
Master Laloo

Karsan Sagathia

Niranjan Pandya Praful Dave
Suman Kalyanpur
Damyanti Bardai Dina Gandharv Lalita Ghodadra
Daasee Jeevan
  Mugatlal Joshi  
Abhesinh Rathod Hemant Chauhan Jagmal Barot
Dr. Narendra Shastri Dr. Niranjan Rajyaguru
Ravi Saheb
Merubha Gadhavi
Mugatlal Joshi Pranlal Vyas
Vana Jetha Odedara
Sant Devidas
Dayalal Chavda Hemant Chauhan
Sati Loyan
Hemant Chauhan Suresh Raval
Sati Loyan
Dayalal Chavda Hemant Chauhan Ramdas Gondalia
Morar Saheb
Dayalal Chavda Lalita Ghodadra
Jethiram
Mugatlal Joshi
Niranjan Pandya Vana Jetha Odedara
Guru Gorakhnath
Purshottam Upadhaya
Daasee Jeevan
Mohanlal Rayani Narayan Swami
Praful Dave
Shamal Daas
Kanu Barot
Karsan Sagathia Nebha Vinja Parmar
Ganga Sati
Hemu Gadhavi Mugatlal Joshi Narayan Swami
Hemant Chauhan Niranjan Pandya Praful Dave
Bharati Vyas Damyanti Bardai Meena Patel
Pamela Jain Poonam Barot Rajul Mehta
Amar Maa
Kandas Bapu
Bharati Vyas
Morar Saheb
Purshottam Upadhaya Suman Kalyanpur
( Anonymous )
Amarnath Nathji
Sati Toral - Jesal Peer
Dina Gandharv - Hemu Gadhavi
Bharati Kunchala - Pranlal Vyas Damyanti Bardai - Kanu Barot
Diwaliben Bhil - Ismail Valera Meena Patel - Lakhabhai Gadhavi
Jesal Peer
Hemu Gadhavi Ismail Valera Narayan Swami

Dharamshi Raja

Pranlal Vyas

Abhesinh Rathod

Praful Dave

Hemant Chauhan Karsan Sagathia Niranjan Pandya
Suresh Raval
Bhawanidas
Hemant Chauhan Mehul Chauhan
Trikam Saheb
Ismail Valera Kanu Barot Pranlal Vyas
Meera Bai
Abhram Bhagat Kandas Bapu
Harish Bhatt Pranlal Vyas
Karsan Sagathia
Saroj Gundani
Ganga Sati
Kandas Bapu Mugatlal Joshi Narayan Swami
Chiman Dantani Hemant Chauhan Niranjan Pandya
Ramdas Gondalia
Sant Raidas / Rohidas
Karsan Sagathia Praful Dave
Mukta Dave
Ganga Sati
Kandas Bapu Mugatlal Joshi Narayan Swami
Niranjan Pandya
Kaaji Mahmad Shah
Kanu Barot Narayan Swami Pranlal Vyas
Karsan Sagathia Niranjan Pandya
Likhmauji Mali
Mugatlal Joshi Narayan Swami
Jagmal Barot
Ganga Sati
Mugatlal Joshi Narayan Swami
Niranjan Pandya Praful Dave
Bharati Vyas Damyanti Bardai
Lalita Ghodadra Meena Patel
Kavita Krishnamurthy
Harji Bhati
Dula Bhagat
Bharati Vyas - Abhesinh Rathod
Hemant Chauhan Laxman Barot Praful Dave
Naga Bhagat
  
   
 
   
  Guru Gorakhnath  
   
 
Considered to be the 9th and the last Nath of the Nath Sect, he composed 
Bhajans which got adapted in Gujarati too.
 
Gorakhnath peak in Mount Girnar
where he did penance
Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh)
his place
 
  
Sant Kabir
 
A weaver by profession, he composed and sang devotional songs, which came naturally to him as he wove for his livelihood.
He showed, by example, that one could worship even while working and carrying on the daily duties of life.
He further showed -- by example again -- that what finally mattered was one's deeds in life rather than one's birth.
His influence was not limited to any religion or sect and he is revered even today by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike.
 
Lahartala Lake at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
where he was `found'
Kabir Chaura at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
his workplace
Maghar (near Gorakhpur : Uttar Pradesh)
his Samadhi
 
The Kabir Vad (Banyan Tree) standing tall on the bank of river Narmada (near Bharuch) which Sant Kabir is said to have visited.

 
     
Sant Raidas / Rohidas
   
 
While pursuing his profession of washing skins of dead animals before use as leather, the down-to the-earth saint composed
Bhajans.
 
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
his birthplace
Raidas Kund at Sarsai  (near Visavadar : Dist. Junagadh)
where he stayed during his sojourn in Saurashtra
 
  
Ravi-Bhan Tradition
Bhan Saheb 
   
It was he who took up the torch of
Sant Kabir in Gujarat and eventually founded the Ravi-Bhan tradition.
   
He travelled extensively across Gujarat along with his team of 40 disciples called the Bhan Faujh (Army)
 
A well-known verse roll calling the members of the Bhan Faujh
 
Varahi  (near Radhanpur : Dist. Banaskantha)
his native place
Sherkhi (near Vadodara)
the first Seat he founded
Kamijala  (near Viramgam : Dist. Ahmedabad)
his
Samadhi
Bund
Taking the Ravi-Bhan tradition further ...
Khim Saheb
son of Bhan Saheb
Dariyaasthaan at Rapar  (Dist. Kutch)
his Seat
Dariyaasthaan at Rapar  (Dist. Kutch)
his
Samadhi
Trikam Saheb
disciple of Khim Saheb
Chitrod (near Rapar : Dist. Kutch)
his Seat
Dariyaasthaan at Rapar  (Dist. Kutch)
his Samadhi
Bhim Saheb
disciple of Trikam Saheb
his Samadhi at Amaran  (near Morbi  : Dist. Jamnagar)
Daasee Jeevan
disciple of Bhim Saheb

his birthplace Ghoghavadar  (near Gondal : Dist. Rajkot) his Samadhi
He composed devotional songs imagining himself to be a Daasee (female attendant) of the Lord.
Prem Saheb
disciple of Daasee Jeevan
his Samadhi at Kotda Sangani  (Dist. Rajkot)
Naad
Taking the Ravi-Bhan
tradition further ...
Ravi Saheb
disciple of Bhan Saheb
Sherkhi (near Vadodara)
his Seat
Khambhalida  (Dist. Jamnagar)
his
Samadhi
Morar Saheb
disciple of Ravi Saheb
Khambhalida  (Dist. Jamnagar)
his Seat
Khambhalida  (Dist. Jamnagar)
his Samadhi
Hothi Saheb
disciple of Morar Saheb
Morbi Balambha  (Dist. Jamnagar)



in alphabetic order
Akha Bhagat
Jetalpur (near Ahmedabad)
his birthplace
A Vedanti and a hard-hitting social reformer,
he innovatively used a more effective
 poetic form -- Chhappaa -- to achieve his goal.
Desai-nee Pol, Khadia, Ahmedabad
where he spent most of his working life.
  
  Aamba Chhathaa  
Balak Swami Temple at Mesvan
considered to be the fountainhead of Mesvaniya
tradition where he is believed to have taken
Samadhi.
Believed to be his footprints at
Balak Swami Temple at Mesvan   (Dist. Junagadh)
The temple at Dudhrej (near Surendranagar)
founded by his elder brother
Shatpragyna Swami
 
Bhawanidas

Bhawanidas (right) with his Guru Jodhal Peer (left)
Vankarvaas, Dholka (near Ahmedabad)
his birthplace
He was, like Kabir, a weaver by profession.
Words and ambience associated with his
daily working life, thus, naturally and
effortlessly got woven into his poetry.
He played
Dokad, a sort of a drum, 
and even danced passionately as he sang. 
Dholka (near Ahmedabad)
his Samadhi
    
Bhoja Bhagat
Fatehpur (near Amreli)
his Seat
No less a social reformer than a saint,
he resorted  to another poetic form
for his purpose :
Chaabakhaa  (whip).
He took Samadhi at Virpur
in accordance with the wishes of
his disciple Jalaram Bapa
          
  Devayat Pandit  
Among his disciples were
Devtankhi
Luhaar and his daughter Liralbai,
residents of Majevdi  (near Junagadh), who were
great devotees and noble souls themselves.
He excelled in songs foreseeing the future
and widely used
Aagam,
a poetic form suitable for the purpose.
Koliyak (near Bhavnagar)
He along with his wife Devalde
is believed to have taken
Samadhi
near Koliyak
  
  Lakhiram  
   
  his Bhajans came to be known as
`Lakheeraam-naa Pyaalaa'
 
  
Mahatma Mooldas
Amodara  (near Una : Dist. Junagadh)
his birthplace
People called him Mahatma
for the services he rendered to the society.
Amreli
his Samadhi
   
Pitha Bhagat
his Samadhi at Junaa Vankarvaas, Vanthali (near Junagadh)
Once an outlaw, he took to the path of devotion


some Saints from Rajasthan
whose
Bhajans got into Gujarati in course of time
Harji Bhati
 
Harji Bhati (left) with his Guru Baba Ramdev Peer
 
 
Chief disciple of
Baba Ramdev Peer
 
Ramdevra, Rajasthan
his memorial in the premises of the
Samadhi temple of his Guru
Panditjee-kee-Dhaanee (near Osiya), Rajasthan
his Place and Samadhi
     
 
Likhmauji / Likhmidas Mali
   
   
A descendent of
Baba Ramdev Peer tradition
 
Badakee-Bastee at Chenaar in Nagaur
his birthplace
Amarpura village (near Nagaur), Rajasthan
Kuvo (well) where he sat singing Bhajans
Amarpura
his Samadhi
 
 
 
some Women Saints
who tried to seek unison with God by singing in praise of Him with deep devotion and intense emotion.
Meera Bai
   
 
Hailing from a high royal Rajput family of Rajasthan,
she got deeply immersed in the worship of Krishna from the very childhood.
She composed songs in Marwari, Vraj and Gujarati and sang these too in the melodious voice she was gifted with.
 
The place where she was born Kudki (near Merta City), Rajasthan
her birthplace
Krishna Temple in the fort
     

courtesy  Meerabai Smaarak, Merta City, Rajasthan
Fort at Merta City, Rajasthan
where she stayed with her grandparents after the death of her parents
It is, now,
Meerabai Smaarak, a museum raised in her memory
 

Shri Chaturbhujnath Temple at Merta City, Rajasthan
where she worshipped as a young girl
and where, now, stands a temple in her memory too.

 
Kanwar Pada Palace
a part of
Kumbha Palace
where she stayed
Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
where she settled after her marriage with Bhojraj,
the eldest son of Rana Sangha, who ruled
Mewaar
Kumbha Shyam Temple
later named Meera Temple
since she worshipped there regularly
  
Dwarka, Gujarat
where she is believed to have spent the later part of her life
     
 
Ganga Sati
   
 
While her saintly husband Kahalsang
Bhagat opted for a death-by-choice by taking Samaadhi,
he disuaded her from her wish to join him in the journey to the next world.
She would do well, he advised, to live a little longer instead and train Paan
Bai for the life ahead. 
She chose to do this through devotional songs, which she composed, one every day, for the next 52 days, interpreting life and unlocking the secrets thereof. 
    
Rajapara  (Dist. Bhavnagar)
her birthplace
Samadhiyala (Dist. Bhavnagar)
her
Samadhi
     
 
Sati Loyan
Atkot (Dist. Rajkot)
her birthplace
Bordevi Temple atop Mount Girnar
from where she is believed
to have left for the world beyond
Lakha, the king of Atkot who used to harass her, later repented his misbehaviour and returned to the right path. 
He even showed a sincere desire to learn about spirituality, whereupon
Sati Loyan, in the 84 devotional songs she wrote addressing Lakha, explained the subtlties of life.
Jhaverchand Meghani acknowledges his debt to Darbar Vajsurvala of Hadala-Bagasara estate

Darbar Vajsurvala
(1873-1953)
 

 

Singers
in alphabetical order -  left to right, top to bottom
 

Abhram Bhagat

Hemu Gadhavi

Ismail Valera

Kanu Barot

 

  Mohanlal Rayani

Mugatlal Joshi

Narayan Swami

Yashwant Bhatt

  
Abhesinh Rathod Abhram Bhagat Amarnath Nathji
Anuradha Paudwal Arjangiri Bapu Arvind Barot
Bharati Kunchala Bharati Vyas Bhikhudan Gadhavi
Chiman Dantani Dayalal Chavda Damyanti Bardai
Dharamshi Raja Dina Gandharva Diwaliben Bhil
Dula Bhagat Gangaram Vaghela Harish Bhatt
Hasan Ismail Solanki Hemant Chauhan Hemu Gadhavi
Ismail Valera Jagmal Barot Kalyandas Mesvaniya
Kandas Bapu Kanu Barot Karsan Sagathia
Karsandas Yadav Kaumudi Munshi Kavita Krishnamurthy
Khimji Bharwad Lakhabhai Gadhavi Lalita Ghodadra
Master Laloo Laxman Barot Mahendra Kapoor
Mathurbhai Kanjaria Meena Patel Mehul Chauhan
Merubha Gadhavi Mohanlal Rayani Mugatlal Joshi
Mukta Dave Naga Bhagat Narayan Swami
Dr. Narendra Shastri Nebha Vinja Parmar Niranjan Pandya
Dr. Niranjan Rajyaguru Osman Mir Pamela Jain
Parshottam Pari Poonam Barot Praful Dave
Pranlal Vyas Purshottam Upadhaya Rajul Mehta
Ramdas Gondalia Saroj Gundani Master Suleman
Suman Kalyanpur Suresh Raval Vana Jetha Odedara
  Yashwant Bhatt   
We are grateful to the singers and their families for their kind cooperation.
 
 
Artist  Pratapsinh Jadeja 
 

Disclaimer
We have highest respect for all the saints and every saintly tradition touched in this section.
While every effort has sincerely been made to check the contents herein and the sources thereof,
any errors and omissions found may kindly be considered unintended and, hence, excusable in view of the pure purpose of the project.
   
  
Copyright © 2000 Pinaki Meghani. All rights reserved.