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Thread: The Jat traditions - Chak Pooja

  1. #1

    The Jat traditions - Chak Pooja

    The Jat historians tell us that Guti or Gutian is same as Jat. Jats when went to Mesopotamia, they became Jat to Guti due to linguistic reasons. Now let us find the history of Gutian people of Sumerian civilization.

    History of Gutians

    The Gutians were a people of ancient Mesopotamia who lived in the central Zagros Range. Nothing is still known about their origins. They may have been an Indo-European speaking people, possibly related linguistically to the Tocharians or to the modern Kurdish people.

    The Gutian kings came to power in Mesopotamia circa the 22nd century BC (short chronology), more precisely around 2250 BC, by destabilising Akkad at the end of the reign of King Melem of Unug. The first Gutian king was Inkishuc. The last Gutian king was Tirigan, who was preceded by 21 kings, reigning roughly a total of one century. In the time of the Akkadian Empire, one prominent nomad tribe were the Guti, who lived in the Zagros Mountains.

    Sumerian king Melem of Unug was defeated by the barbarian Gutians around 2250 BC. The Guti swept down, defeated the demoralized Akkadian army, took Agade and destroyed it about 2215 BC. The Empire became theirs.

    From 2120 BC the Guti disappear from history

    After a few kings, Gutian rulers quickly became more cultivated. They probably even strove to become more Akkadian than the Akkadians, since they had a nomadic ancestry to live down. Thus their rule ended by absorption, as it did for so many nomadic conquerors. Frequently though, such absorption isn't enough, the Guti lasted only about a century. At about 2120 BC, they were expelled from Mesopotamia by the rulers of Uruk and Ur when Utu-hejal of Uruk defeated gutian king Tirigan. From this point on the Guti disappear from history.

    Legacy of Gutians

    Most authorities credit the Sumerians with the invention of the wheel, initially in the form of the potter's wheel. The new concept quickly led to wheeled vehicles and mill wheels.

    Jats worship Potter's wheel

    Jats marriages start with the function of Chak Pooja, which means the worship of the potter's wheel. It is done in Jats of Rajasthan. I do not know about Jats in other states. I have been thinking about its logic but no body could explain it. I have tried to analyze our marriage customs and came to know that it tells step by step how they evolved and developed these traditions.

    Now in the history of Gutians in Sumerian civilization above we find that the potter's wheel was invented by them and they made it a custom to remember it for generations to come. This still persists in Jats and it indicates the linkages between Jats and the Gutians of Sumer.
    Last edited by lrburdak; November 23rd, 2006 at 08:28 AM.
    Laxman Burdak

  2. #2

    Thumbs up

    Quote Originally Posted by lrburdak View Post
    The Jat historians tell us that Guti or Gutian is same as Jat. Jats when went to Mesopotamia, they became Jat to Guti due to linguistic reasons. Now let us find the history of Gutian people of Sumerian civilization.

    History of Gutians

    The Gutians were a people of ancient Mesopotamia who lived in the central Zagros Range. Nothing is still known about their origins. They may have been an Indo-European speaking people, possibly related linguistically to the Tocharians or to the modern Kurdish people.

    The Gutian kings came to power in Mesopotamia circa the 22nd century BC (short chronology), more precisely around 2250 BC, by destabilising Akkad at the end of the reign of King Melem of Unug. The first Gutian king was Inkishuc. The last Gutian king was Tirigan, who was preceded by 21 kings, reigning roughly a total of one century. In the time of the Akkadian Empire, one prominent nomad tribe were the Guti, who lived in the Zagros Mountains.

    Sumerian king Melem of Unug was defeated by the barbarian Gutians around 2250 BC. The Guti swept down, defeated the demoralized Akkadian army, took Agade and destroyed it about 2215 BC. The Empire became theirs.

    From 2120 BC the Guti disappear from history

    After a few kings, Gutian rulers quickly became more cultivated. They probably even strove to become more Akkadian than the Akkadians, since they had a nomadic ancestry to live down. Thus their rule ended by absorption, as it did for so many nomadic conquerors. Frequently though, such absorption isn't enough, the Guti lasted only about a century. At about 2120 BC, they were expelled from Mesopotamia by the rulers of Uruk and Ur when Utu-hejal of Uruk defeated gutian king Tirigan. From this point on the Guti disappear from history.

    Legacy of Gutians

    Most authorities credit the Sumerians with the invention of the wheel, initially in the form of the potter's wheel. The new concept quickly led to wheeled vehicles and mill wheels.

    Jats worship Potter's wheel

    Jats marriages start with the function of Chak Pooja, which means the worship of the potter's wheel. It is done in Jats of Rajasthan. I do not know about Jats in other states. I have been thinking about its logic but no body could explain it. I have tried to analyze our marriage customs and came to know that it tells how they developed thse traditions.

    Now in the history of Gutians in Sumerian civilization above we find that the potter's wheel was invented by them and they made it a custom to remember it for generations to come. This still persists in Jats and it indicates the linkages between Jats and the Gutians of Sumer.


    Burdak ji, the info seems authentic a great deal.Chak pooja is performed by the Jats of UP and Haryana at the time of marriage till date.Thanks for the update.
    "LIFE TEACHES EVERY ONE IN A NATURAL WAY.NO ONE CAN ESCAPE THIS REALITY"

  3. #3

    Goddess Mavli worship

    We see that goddess Mavli is worshipped by Jats in Rajasthan. Every village has a temple. The offerings to Mavli is lapsi or rice. Some seven pindas are offered. I tried to find its origin but could not. Some villagers tell that Mavli was a daughter of some king in Nagaur. She had six sisters and one brother Gorla. The seven offerrings are for all of them. It is belief that they suddenly disappeared from palainquin due to supernatural powers and never came back. Villagers think the Mavli moves in sky during nights in palainquin. It is believed that Mavli rectifies some physical disorders. The bride-bridegroomin Rajasthan first visit the Mavli temple to get blessings.

    I also get from Bastar in Chhatisgarh near Orissa that they worship goddess Mavli Devi. She is one of goddesses worshipped by Muria, Mahara and Rawat communities. Tribal Villagers believe that this Devi protects villagers from evil effects.

    Can somebody give its history ?
    Laxman Burdak

  4. #4
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    Mavali is found in Maharashtra also.
    Last edited by nknauhwar; December 9th, 2006 at 07:15 AM.

  5. #5
    Plundering settled civilizations has always been attractive enterprise for nomadic tribes.. Invasion of Guti didn't bring out much change in Sumer(south) and Akkad(north) civilization actually it was conflict with Elam what brought out change in north-south relation and empire bifurcated in two with new identities -Babylonia(south) and Assyria(north)... But since Guti disappeared(?), relating them to Jats is not on sound footing without more reliable evidences... hordes never gave rest to "the valley" and Hitties(IE) too devasted cities build by great kings like Sargon... Kassites(another hordes) were next to play similar role and with them the civilization plunged into dark age of 5 centuries... the relevent point is that Tod tried to relate Kassites with dynasty set up by Kush(son of Rama) although without any evidence at all... Initially I didn't use to believe it but I think careful investigation of Elam(sandwitched between Indus valley and Euphrates-Tigris) could throw some light on migration of tribes(as highlighted by some posts of RK ji)... this relation becomes better understood in later centuries(~600BC) when Achaemenian kings had direct conflict with another nomadic tribes, Masagetes(great getes(jats as per some writers))(Cyrus vs Tomyris) and other kings even included Panjab as one of their Satrap(Darius)... Emergence of Manda is especially related to Jats by U S Mahil and Dahiya in this period and if careful investigation is extended to earlier times similar relation may be found to exist in ancient times...

    As per chak pooja, worship of wheel being common to these two people is not sound proof of their racial relation... almost all ancient civilization worshiped Sun in way or other but that doesn't mean they were all related... ideas and customs can travel without people... the wheel being used to extract water from well by camel or donkey was invented in Mesopotamia (and China too) and their presence in Jat villages doesn't necessiate incoming of people to India from Euphrats or china valley... it could be invented independently at these places... remember, mathematical Zero was independtly invented by Indian rishis and Mayan people around the same time though metaphysical meaning of Shunya(emtpiness) goes much back in India... emergence of certain custom, ritual or invention in two cilivization doesn't mean racial affinity....


    -vinod


    Quote Originally Posted by lrburdak View Post
    The Jat historians tell us that Guti or Gutian is same as Jat. Jats when went to Mesopotamia, they became Jat to Guti due to linguistic reasons. Now let us find the history of Gutian people of Sumerian civilization.

    History of Gutians

    The Gutians were a people of ancient Mesopotamia who lived in the central Zagros Range. Nothing is still known about their origins. They may have been an Indo-European speaking people, possibly related linguistically to the Tocharians or to the modern Kurdish people.

    The Gutian kings came to power in Mesopotamia circa the 22nd century BC (short chronology), more precisely around 2250 BC, by destabilising Akkad at the end of the reign of King Melem of Unug. The first Gutian king was Inkishuc. The last Gutian king was Tirigan, who was preceded by 21 kings, reigning roughly a total of one century. In the time of the Akkadian Empire, one prominent nomad tribe were the Guti, who lived in the Zagros Mountains.

    Sumerian king Melem of Unug was defeated by the barbarian Gutians around 2250 BC. The Guti swept down, defeated the demoralized Akkadian army, took Agade and destroyed it about 2215 BC. The Empire became theirs.

    From 2120 BC the Guti disappear from history

    After a few kings, Gutian rulers quickly became more cultivated. They probably even strove to become more Akkadian than the Akkadians, since they had a nomadic ancestry to live down. Thus their rule ended by absorption, as it did for so many nomadic conquerors. Frequently though, such absorption isn't enough, the Guti lasted only about a century. At about 2120 BC, they were expelled from Mesopotamia by the rulers of Uruk and Ur when Utu-hejal of Uruk defeated gutian king Tirigan. From this point on the Guti disappear from history.

    Legacy of Gutians

    Most authorities credit the Sumerians with the invention of the wheel, initially in the form of the potter's wheel. The new concept quickly led to wheeled vehicles and mill wheels.

    Jats worship Potter's wheel

    Jats marriages start with the function of Chak Pooja, which means the worship of the potter's wheel. It is done in Jats of Rajasthan. I do not know about Jats in other states. I have been thinking about its logic but no body could explain it. I have tried to analyze our marriage customs and came to know that it tells step by step how they evolved and developed these traditions.

    Now in the history of Gutians in Sumerian civilization above we find that the potter's wheel was invented by them and they made it a custom to remember it for generations to come. This still persists in Jats and it indicates the linkages between Jats and the Gutians of Sumer.
    Last edited by vinodks; December 12th, 2006 at 11:36 AM.

  6. #6
    Wheel worship may also have to do with buddhist dharma-chakra... wheel has been symbolically used in buddist art.... and hindu art too e.g. konark temple has magnificant wheels(on lighter note: now plz dont use as evidence of Jats in Orissa)... worshiping of wheel as ritual among common people is likely to have come from this but I can't bet on it...

    -vinod
    Last edited by vinodks; December 12th, 2006 at 11:39 AM.

  7. #7
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    can you please put your meaning in 4 sentences? plz attempt. its awesome.

  8. #8
    The wheel was use in many cultures.As solar simbol it was the chariot of the sky god replacing the neolithic boat as royal vehicle.This simbol is spread across al Eurasia during the bronze age.Celtic god Taranis is show as throwing a wheel simbolising the thunderbolts(any conection whit globular flash?).
    The wheel,bird or lion over a bull simbolise the defeat of night by the day.THis simbol is present on many ancient inscriptions and coins.
    THe egiptian god Ra made the man on a potter wheel.
    BUddha pushing the dharma wheel is a classical use of a mithological simbol to represent an philosophical idea.
    Other simbols from the same family are the round tables(found in many european and central asian rituals),the mithra caps of orthodox priests(any conection whit sun god Mithra?),the zvastikas found almost every were etc.
    Th wheel is not use by amerindian cultures(exept mayas and only for toys:eek: )

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by vinodks View Post
    Plundering settled civilizations has always been attractive enterprise for nomadic tribes.. Invasion of Guti didn't bring out much change in Sumer(south) and Akkad(north) civilization actually it was conflict with
    -vinod
    We may think at ancient civilisations as being slow changing and conservative.But simbols,customs,art and faiths change ,modify or disapierd over the time.We may think as our present time as fast changing,dinamic but same was the situation in the past ,more or less.

  10. #10

    Jat social customs Part-I

    Equal social status

    All Jats, irrespective of their official or financial positions in life, have equal social status. The only criterion of superiority is age. If two Jats sit on a bed the elder, even if he is a poor farmer will sit towards the head of the bed, and the younger, even if he is a very well to do, or is a senior civil or military officer, will sit towards the foot of the bed. If a number of Jats are sharing the same 'hooka' it is the duty of the youngest to hold the 'hooka' and pass it around in turn to the others. The system is thus of a very socialistic nature.

    Marriages

    Marriage within community
    The Jats are required to marry within their community. A Jat boy marrying a non- Jat girl though not encouraged or approved, is nevertheless acceptable- A Jat girl marrying a non Jat boy is, however, taboo, and, should it happen it is considered a permanent blot of disgrace on the girl's family. Boys and girls of the same gotra are considered brothers and sisters to each other. It is therefore, prohibited to marry a girl of ones own gotra, of the gotra of ones another, as that would amount to incest. Marriage within the same village is not permitted even if the boy and girl qualify for marriage according to gotra restriction. Marriages within the same Gohand are discouraged.

    These systems have a number of advantages. Racial purity is maintained. Within the bounds of the community, maximum cross breeding takes place which promotes good health and prevents physical degeneration) as it occurs in certain communities who marry first cousins. Boys have a sanctimonious regard for the girls of the same village or Gohand as they consider them as future wives. This also cuts down mutual squabbles of sexual origin.

    Marriage traditions
    Chak Pooja चाक पूजा (worship Potter's wheel) - Jats marriages start with the function of Chak Pooja, which means the worship of the potter's wheel. It is done in Jats of all the states. The analysis our marriage customs tells step by step how they evolved and developed these traditions. Now in the history of Gutians in Sumerian civilization we find that the potter's wheel was invented by them and they made it a custom to remember it for generations to come. This still persists in Jats and it indicates the linkages between Jats and the Gutians of Sumer. [1]
    Bhāt भात also called Mayero, maternal uncles bring gifts for the Mother.

    Sehlā सेळा - barati's reception ceremony
    Ānkhaḍlī आंखड़ली song is sung when the husband of daughter comes first time to his in-laws

    Badhawā बधावा Song is sung when daughter is sent to sarural(in-laws).
    Chandvā चँदवा canopy made of a cloth on bride-bridegroom to give shelter.
    Dāt दात - utensils, clothes, ornaments etc offered to bridegroom and his relatives by bride side in marriage.

    Khīchadī खीचड़ी - The function at the time of a boy's marriage in which all relatives and villagers are invited on lunch one day before the phera ceremony, a recipe made of daal and rice, kheechad gotra.

    Mel मेळ - gettogether ceremony on previous day of marriage by the side of bridegroom

    Mugdalā मुगदणा - green and dried twigs of khejri tree brought from farm on a cart on the day of baan which are worshiped by mother or sister of a boy or girl prior to marriage
    Jākhdī जाखड़ी - Song sung to welcome Batawoo, husbands of their daughters
    Jhūnwārī झूंआरी - paying respect to a relative by putting tilak on forhead and offering gift
    Kanwar Kalevā कंवर कलेवा - ceremony of offering breakfast to bridegroom by bride's side during marriage in which bridegroom along with close friends and associates relish the royal breakfast
    Hathlewā हथलेवा - After being led to the wedding mandup, the bride and groom have their hands tied together. The Pandit does a puja to Lord Ganesh and than puts a coin & mehendi on the groom’s right hand where the round empty spot is (where no mehendi was put) and ties his hand with the brides. This puja is done schedule in advance based on an auspicious time & date.
    Ganjoda गंजोडा - The priest ties the end of the groom's dhoti or the kurta; whichever he is wearing, with that of the bride's saree, the knot signifying the sacred wedlock.
    Sātphere सातफेरे - Seven rounds around fire. The groom and the bride then circle the holy fire seven times, making seven promises to be fulfilled in the married life, after which they are considered to be 'married' to each other. This ritual is called "phere".
    Kanyā Dān कन्या दान - the bestowing of a girl in marriage. Kanyā Dān is performed by the father of the bride in presence of a large gathering that is invited to witness the wedding. The father pours out a libation of sacred water symbolizing the giving away of the daughter to the bride groom. The groom recites Vedic hymns to Kama, the God of love, for pure love and blessings. As a condition for offering his daughter for marriage, the father of the bride requests a promise from the groom for assisting the bride in realizing the three ends : dharma, artha, and kama. The groom makes the promise by repeating three times that he will not fail the bride in realizing dharma, artha and kama.
    Mandap मंडप - The wedding is normally conducted under a mandap, a canopy traditionally with four pillars, and an important component of the ceremony is the sacred fire (Agni) that is witness to the ceremony.
    Vidāī विदाई - A send off. This is considered to be the most emotional ritual, when the bride leaves her parents' home and makes her way to her husband's. Family and friends, who also shower her with blessings and gifts, give her a tearful farewell. The male members of the bride's family bid farewell to the groom by applying the traditional 'tilak' (vermilion) on his forehead and shower him with gifts. The couple leaves in a decorated car.
    Muklāvā मुकलावो - gona, second part of marriage after which the bride starts living with his husband
    Dwār Rukāī द्वार रुकाई - stop the couple at door. After leaving the groom’s father-in-law’s house, the couple come home. They are stopped at the entrance of the house by either the groom’s sister or his father’s sister. There, in an earthen vessel, the sister/aunt uses a mixture of salt and water to ward off evil spirits from the groom. After this, the pot is thrown on the ground and destroyed. After this, the couple enter the house.
    Griha Pravesh गृह प्रवेश - When the bride arrives at her new home, her mother-in-law, who welcomes her with the traditional Aarti. At the entrance, she puts her right foot onto a tray of vermilion powder mixed in water or milk, symbolizing the arrival of good fortune and purity. With both her feet now covered in the red powder paste, she kicks over a vessel filled with rice and coins to denote the arrival of fertility and wealth in her marital home.
    Mūh Dikhāī मूह दिखाई - A post-wedding rituals, amidst much laughter to make the new member feel comfortable. Literally translated, it means 'show your face', but this is a ritual, which helps to introduce the newly wed to members of her husband's family! Each member of the groom's family comes in turn to make an acquaintance with the new bride and offers her some gifts.
    Pesgarā पेसगारा - the function on next day of return of barat by the side of bridegroom from marriage
    Kānkad doradā कांकड़ डोरड़ा - the secred threads put on the hands of bride and bridegroom in marriage are removed and put at the boundary of village when bridegroom returns with bride to his village.
    Māndā मांडा - a pole made of khejadi tree put on the day of marriage of a girl
    Pherā फेरा - Ceremony performed during marraige when the couple take Vachan in front of Agni devata
    Pīthī पीठी - paste made of grounded barley, turmeric and ghee used as a fairness cream
    Rangbarī रंगबरी - the ceremony of showing ornaments and clothes of a bride
    Ratijkā रातिजका - on the first night of marriage all family members sing songs, dance and worship deities without sleeping
    Samthunī समटुणी - function to honour the baraatis and guests in marriage
    Sarpech सरपेंच - musculine ornament worn in front on the turban. It was often extended into a golden band set with emeralds, rubies, diamonds.
    Sinjhārā सिंझारा - function in which gifts are offered to a young lady prior to marriage and after marriage also on the occasion of previous day of teej and gangaur
    Thāpā थापा - imprint of hand of bride or bridegroom in mehandi or haldi
    Toran तोरण - a symbol of victory put on the door of dulhan on arrival of baraat,Been comes and touches it with his sward or a neem or Zhaadi [berry] stick
    Horseriding घोड़े पर सवारी - यह जाट की वेदिक संस्कृति है। घोड़े पर सवार होकर दुल्हा राजा बन जाता है। यहाँ से जान (सेना) दुल्हन के घर के लिये रवाना होती है। दुल्हन पक्ष स्वागत हेतु पड़जान भेजता है। दुल्हा राजा दुल्हन के घर के द्वार पर तोरण मारता है। विजय की प्रतीक जांटी की हरी टहनी (झंडा) दुल्हन के घर पर टांगी जाती है। लाटवियन भाषा में जाट का अर्थ घुड़सवार होता है। [2]
    Rice offering चावल चढाना - Rice offering is an Aryan tradition. Rice is also called as "akshat (अक्षत)" in sanskrit, which means an unbroken grains of rice known as pinda. Rice is a very important grain in almost all the rituals in India and also in Foreign Countries. This can be attributed to the fact that rice is the first known food grain to be cultivated and even in india wheat was introduced from the middle east quite later on and as a result rice is the grain used by all the Hindus in their rituals. Rice is a smbol of prosperity.[3]
    Last edited by lrburdak; December 30th, 2006 at 11:41 AM.
    Laxman Burdak

  11. #11

    Jat Sicial customs Part-II

    Widow marriages
    Widow marriage is not only permitted and practiced but is also a social obligation. One year after the death of her husband the widow is asked in the presence other and her late husband's near relatives, whether she would like to remarry and so, with whom. Her choice is expected to be limited to the brothers or first cousins of her late husband. The boy, thus chosen, is obliged, by custom a tradition to accept. Widows with children and those past their youth do not normally remarry. The burden of their support is however automatically taken on by the nearest relatives of the deceased.

    The young and childless widows invariably remarry and are encouraged and even persuaded to remarry even when they don't feel inclined to do so in their state of emotional disturbance.

    Widows are looked upon with sympathy and not despised as evil beings as is done amongst Rajputs, Brahmins and Baniyas. That is the main reason why a Jatni is never heard of as a prostitute. It is incomprehensible how such a humane custom was ever selected by the Brahmins as the main reason for branding the Jats as irreligious and low. It is not only a very civilized custom but is also fully in keeping with the dictates of the Shastras.

    Children's traditions
    Sāthia साथिया - when a male child is born in Rajasthan, signs of swastik are made on door by using cowdung.
    Jalwā जळवा - Function done after about a month of the delivery. In that function new mother worships at the Well and gifts are exchanged between relatives and new mother and after that function the mother starts doing routine houshold works
    Chhuchhak छुछक - a ceremony performed by maternal side after a month of his birth
    Pīlapotrā पीळापोतड़ा - on the birth of a male child nai is sent to maternal side with a cloth coloured with turmeric to give a message of birth

    Joint families

    The Joint family system was popular amongst the Jats and large families use to share the same house and hearth. With the advancement of modern civilization, as people are becoming less dependant upon and less tolerant towards each other, the joint family system is going out of vogue. It is still prevalent in the less advanced areas.

    Death customs
    Mausar मौसर - the ceremony after death of a person in which all relatives and villagers are invited on food.

    Jat festivals

    Jats celebrate following festivals with great fanfare -

    Akshyatratiya or Ākhātīj is the special festival of Jats celebrated on the eighteenth day of vaishakh. No muhurt is required for marriages on this day. It is believed that the attempt of Dushasan to Draupudi be shamed by being disrobed in front of the whole court was made imperishable (akshya) by Krishna.

    Gangadashhara is observed due to belief that their ancestor Pandavas had gone for firsttime Gangabath on this day.

    Raksha Bandhan (the bond of protection) or Rakhi (राखी) festival which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana. It is associated with Draupadi and Krishna during the Rajsuya yagya. After Shishupal's death, Krishna was left with a bleeding finger. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had torn a strip of silk off her sari and tied it around Krishna's wrist to staunch the flow of blood. Touched by her concern, Krishna had declared himself bound to her by her love. He further promised to repay the debt manifold. Many years later when Draupudi was about to be shamed by being disrobed in front of the whole court by her evil brother-in-law Duryodhana, she called on Krishna to help her, and he did by divinely elongating her sari so it could not be removed.

    Krishna Janmaashtami (कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी) or "Janmaashtami", is a festival celebrating the birth of Krishna.

    Teej (तीज) is celebrated in many parts of Rajasthan. They worship Goddess Parvati. A day before this festival is celebrated as Sinjara wherein girls/ladies put on mehandi on their hands and eat ghewar/feeni and other sweets. On Teej, married women pray to Goddess Parvati for well being of their husbands. Idols of goddess Parvati are decorated and taken in a procession in the streets accompanied by singing, music, and dancing.
    Chhath denotes the number 6 in Hindi and the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Kartik, which corresponds to months of October-November in the Gregorian calendar. The festival of Chhath begins a week after Diwali.

    Vijayadashmi or Dussehra celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is the anniversary of the day when Rama killed Ravana in the ancient Hindu epic, Ramayana.

    Diwali celebrates arrival of prince Rama back to Ayodhya after his victory over the evil Ravana as depicted in major Hindu epic of Ramayana. Diwali is one of the most well-known Jat festivals, and is celebrated with great fanfare.

    Makar Sankranti is a mid-winter festival of India. The day celebrates the northward journey of the Sun. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on January 14, the day the Sun enters the next zodiac sign according to Hindu astrology.

    Rama Navami falls on the ninth day of a Hindu lunar year (or Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami). This day is the birthday of Rama.
    Holi is a festival of colours and celebrates the arrival of spring. Legends has that it is celebrated as victory of the faith of Prahlada over evil designs of Hiranyakashipu, who tried to kill him.

    Bāsedā बासेङा festival in which people worship "Sheetla Mata," the goddess of small-pox on Sheetla Ashtama day; People don't cook any food and would eat the food made of earlier day. They make seven dishes, the day before and then do pooja and they eat those the whole day. Small pox is supposed to be caused by heat, that is the myth behind this festival.

    Gangaur गणगौर - The spring festival of Gangour, symbolic of the ripened harvest is held in honour of Gauri, the goddess of abundance. The image of the diety is carried in a procession by gaily dressed men and women. A sight more exhilarating than the entire population of a city thus assembled for the purpose of rejoicing is hard to imagine.

    Halsotiā हळसोतिया - festival at the start of plaughing a field

    Gogaji गोगाजी - Gogaji is a folk deity of Jats in Rajasthan. He is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. Hindus and Muslims alike honor him. He is also venerated as a saint and even as 'snake-god'. He is known as Goga among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslims. The Kayam Khani Muslims claim descent from him and regard him as a peer (saint). Gogaji is popular as a snake-god and almost every village in Rajasthan has a Than (sacred place) dedicated to him. 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 fair - A grand fair is held at Gogamedi, which is 359 km from Jaipur, in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan in August in memory of Gogaji. It is believed that Gogaji went into samadhi at Gogamedi. 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 fair is held from the ninth day of the dark half of Bhadrapada (Goga Navami) to the eleventh day of the dark half of the same month. The inscription in Persian at the main entrance describes Mahmud of Ghazni's regard for Gogaji. It is quite a sight to see people singing and dancing to the beats of drums and gongs with multicolored flags called 'nishans' in their hands.

    Tejaji (तेजाजी) - Tejaji (1074- 1103) was a Jat folk-deity who lived in the state of Rajasthan in India.
    TejajiHe was born on Bhadrapad Shukla Dashmi, dated 29 January 1074 (?), in the family of Dhaulya gotra Jats. His father was Chaudhary Taharji, a chieftain of Khirnal in Nagaur district in Rajasthan.
    Veer Teja was a great saint. A large number of temples of Veer Teja have been built in entire Rajasthan. It is believed that if a person suffering from snakebite goes to samadhi of Teja or puts a chord (tanti) in Tejaji's name, he is cured.

    Tejaji fairs-A large fair, Mela Tejaji, Takes place on the eleventh lunar day of Bhadrapad Shukla Paksh (Aug.-Sept.) every year in village Parbatsar, District Nagaur in Rajasthan. Veer Tejaji Cattle Fair at Parbatsar near Makrana is also organized every year. Many fairs are held in Malwa region on the tenth day of the month of Bhadra to mark the birth of Tejaji. A fair of tejaji is also organized at village Bhamawad of Guna district in Madhya Pradesh on this date. [4]
    References
    1.↑ The Jat traditions - Chak Pooja
    2.↑ Ghuddchaddi Aur Chawal Marna
    3.↑ Ghuddchaddi Aur Chawal Marna
    4.↑ Article on Tejaji
    Laxman Burdak

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