Sursura

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Author: Laxman Burdak लक्ष्मण बुरड़क
Teja Temple Sursura
Tejaji Mandir Sursura under construction
Veer Tejaji Maharaj Sursura

Sursara (सुरसुरा) is the place where the Jat folk-deity Tejaji became martyr fighting with the enemies. It is in Kishangarh tehsil in Ajmer district in Rajasthan.

Origin

Surasa (सुरस) - Nagavanshi king mentioned in Mahabharata (I.52.8), (I.57), (I.61.56), (V.67),(V.101.4,16),


Udyoga Parva/Mahabharata Book V Chapter 101 mentions that the foremost of cities Bhogavati resembles the Amaravati. It is ruled over by Vasuki, the king of the Nagas. Shesha dwells here. He has thousand heads. There dwell in happiness innumerable Nagas -- sons of Surasa.

Location

It is situated 8 km south of Rupangarh town on Parbatsar-Ajmer road. Coordinates 26° 48′ 0″ N, 75° 2′ 24″ E (Decimal 26.8, 75.04)

Location of Sursura in Ajmer District

How to reach Sursura

One can reach Sursura from Kishangarh town situated on Jaipur-Ajmer road. Sursura is 12 km north from Kishangarh on Kishangarh-Hanumangarh Mega-Highway. As we move north on this highway after Rupangarh we can find paner 5 km off from this road.

Jat gotras

View of Sursura Village


Other castes are Meghwal (15), Kumhar (15), Gurjar (150), Mali (250), Raigar, Khatik, Rajput (2) (Bhati), Baniya, Dholi (2), Doom. Gujars are of Gotras Tanwar, Chauhan, Bajad, Badhana (बढ़ाणा), Dharad (धरड़), Khadana (खढाणा)

The population of village as of 2001 census is 5148 out of them 749 are SC and 59 are ST people.[1] Sursura has about 1100 families.

Story of Tejaji's sacrifice

Tejaji plaughing field
Tejaji was married in early childhood at Pushkar
Tejaji goes to Rajal's sasural Tabiji
Tejaji arrives at Paner
Lachha helps Pemal to meet Tejaji
Tejaji brings back Lachha's cows from dacoits
Veer Tejaji Maharaj Sursura
Pemal becomes Sati at Sursura

Tejaji's halsotia and bhabhi's taunts - As per the tradition in that area, the chieftain had to initiate the ploughing of fields after first rains in jyestha month. Tejaji's father and brother were out of the village at first rains so his mother asked Tejaji to do the halsotiya in the fields. Tejaji went to fields and started ploughing. His bhabhi became late in fetching his food locally called Chhak, which angered tejaji. On Tejaji's anger she taunted that his wife was in her father's home and it was shame on his part. This prompted him to go to bring his wife from in-laws. [2]

Bring Rajal first - Bhabhi asked Tejaji that before he brings his wife Pemal, he should bring his sister Rajal first so that she can receive Pemal on her first arrival to Kharnal. Tejaji did not know that he was married. he asked his mother who told that Tejājī was married to Pemal in early childhood at Pushkar with the daughter of Rai Mal Jat of Jhanjhar gotra, chieftain of village Paner. After marriage there was a dispute between māmā of Pemal and father of Tejaji in which mama of Pemal was killed. [3]

War with Meenas - When Tejaji was on way to village Tabiji to bring his sister Rajal, he was attacked by Meena sardar. Tejaji inserted the bhala in ground and challenged the enemies to take it out. Enemies could not do it and ran away. There was a war and Tejaji was victorious. He reached village Tabiji, got permission of her sister's husband Jogaji Siyag and brought Rajal to Kharnal. [4]

Tejaji reaches Paner - Next day early in the morning he mounted his mare Līlaṇ with palāṇ and started journey to Paner to bring his wife Pemal. It was a difficult journey, but he crossed all the nalas and Paner River running full of water due to heavy rains. He reached Paner by evening. At that time his mother-in-law was milking cows. The cows got disturbed due to Tejaji's brisk entry on his mare. His mother-in-law could not recognize Tejaji and cursed him that he be bite by a black snake as he has disturbed her cows. [5]Tejaji got angry over this comment and decided to return without Pemal. Pemal became very annoyed on this behavior of her mother and requested his father and brother to stop Tejaji from returning back. Lachha also requested but to vain. At last Pemal came before Tejaji and told her story of agony. Tejaji stays back and meets Pemal first time.[6]

Lachha Gujari's cows stolen - Lachha Gujari was a friend of Pemal. Her house was about 2 km from Rupangarh. Lachhan Gujari helped Pemal to meet with Teja. For this Lachhan rode on camel and went to Teja facing many clashes with Meena sardars en route. Lachhan reached Teja and gave Pemal's message that if Tejaji does not come she will die. Parents of Pemal had decided to re-marriage her with some other person. At this time Pemal was going to die but saved by Lachhan. Tejaji came to Paner and saw her there. Pemal was a beautiful and attractive girl. They were talking with each other that they heard knock of Lachha Gujari. Lachha told Tejaji that thieves have taken away all her cows and there is no body in this to help. Tejaji mounted his mare Lilan and started alone to fight with dacoits, who had taken away Lachha's cows. [7]


Tejaji brings back cows - Tejaji assured Lachha that he will do his duties of Kshatriya and bring her cows back. Tejaji mounted on Lilan and took all five weapons with him. Pemal insisted to go with him. Teja found that dacoits who had stolen the cows of Lachhan Gujari were Meena sardar's people. He will go alone and defeat them. Tejaji, who was made for helping others, decided to bring those cows alone and left Pemal behind. [8]

The myth is that he encountered a snake burning in fire that was saved by Teja. That snake cursed Teja and wanted to bite Teja. In fact he had encountered with a Naga chieftain named Balunag who challenged Tejaji for a war. Tejaji assured Balunag that he will come back after fulfilling his promise. Balunag let him go in the direction in which Lachha’s cows were taken by Meenas. [9]

Tejaji had war with the Meenas in the valley of Chang at about 15 km distance from Sursura near the Mandawaria village. [10]


He killed many Meenas in the war. He was badly wounded in the process to bring Gujari's cows back from dacoits. Veer Teja was man of words. He brought all cows back to Paner where Lachha told that Kanan Kerda has yet not come back. Tejaji goes back to the hills where Meenas were hiding. He attacked them and brought back Kanan Kerda. Meenas attacked Tejaji and was seriously injured. He is said to have killed 150 Meenas in this war whose deolis are there in the Mandawaria hills. He killed all and came back victorious. [11]

While returning he kept his words and produced himself before the snake. The snake did not find unwounded place on the body of Teja so he offered to bite on tongue. The snakebite was on tongue of Teja. Teja died due to snakebite on 28 august 1103.

When Tejaji was about to die he called a raibari Asu Dewasi to send a message to Raimal Mehta and Pemal about his death. He also sent Lilan to carry his message to Kharnal. [12]

Death

According to common belief Tejaji died due to snakebite on 28 august 1103. But the historical facts are that while Tejaji was returning from Paner with his wife he was attacked jointly by Meenas, who were defeated earlier by the Nagavanshi chieftains. Tejaji and his wife fought bravely with sword. Tejaji was killed in the war and Pemal became sati at place called Sursura. Tejaji Muktidham Temple has been constructed at this site in Sursura.

Pemal sat on the pyre with Tejaji in her lap and asked Tejaji's ghodi Lilan to go to Kharnal and give a message of death of Tejaji. Lilan left the body of Tejaji with Pemal and departed for Kharnal. It is common belief that Lilan stayed at the banks of Khariya talab of Parbatsar village for some time and went straight to Kharnal. The people of Kharnal could read from the face of Lilan that Tejaji was no more. Tejaji’s sister Rajal who was also known as Baghal became sati on the eastern johad near Kharnal village. A temple has been constructed on this site in the name of Rajal. This is a unique example of sister becoming sati on the death of his brother.

Lilan also died after this and its temple has been constructed on the bank of southern talab near Kharnal.

तेजाजी का वीरगति स्थल समाधि धाम सुरसुरा

संत श्री कान्हाराम[13] लिखते हैं .... सुरसुरा (अजमेर) – तेजाजी का वीरगति स्थल समाधि धाम सुरसुरा अजमेर जिले की किशनगढ़ तहसील में किशनगढ़ से हनुमानगढ़ मेगा-हाईवे पर उत्तर दिशा में 16 किमी दूरी पर है। अजमेर से 40 किमी उत्तर-पूर्व दिशा में पड़ता है।


[पृष्ठ-300]: तेजाजी के जमाने में यहाँ घनघोर जंगल था। इसी जंगल में एक नाड़ा की पाल पर खेजड़ी के नीचे नाग देवता की बाम्बी थी। तेजाजी के ननिहाल त्योद से यह 1 किमी दूर से आरंभ होकर 7-8 किमी तक फैला हुआ था। तेजाजी की माँ यहीं नागदेव की पूजा करती थी।

तेजाजी का वीरगति धाम सुरसुरा समतल भूमि में बसा है। पश्चिम में जालया मेडिया पहाड़ी स्थित है। इसके उत्तर-पश्चिम की तरफ अरावली पर्वत श्रेणी की काबरीया पहाड़ी चौमासे में हरयाली से भर जाती है। काबरीया पहाड़ी के पूर्व में कुछ दूरी पर लाछा द्वारा बड़े-बड़े चौकोर पत्थरों से निर्मित अत्यंत सुंदर प्राचीन लाछा बावड़ी बनी हुई है। उसके पास दो सुंदर छतरियाँ हैं। जहां एक बर्फानी बाबा नमक फक्कड़ साधू रहता है।


[पृष्ठ-301]:बावड़ी से सटाकर हनुमानगढ़ मेगा हाईवे निकलता है। सुरसुरा के पूर्व में झुमली टेकरी के पास काफी लंबा चौड़ा गोचर जंगल फैला हुआ है। तेजाजी के समय में यहाँ घना जंगल था। सुरसुरा के पूर्व तथा दक्षिण में दो विशाल तालाब बने हुये हैं। पश्चिम का तालाब नष्ट प्राय हो चुका है। उसी जंगल में नाड़ा की पाल पर स्थित खेजड़ी के नीचे बासक नाग की बाम्बी थी जो आज भी मौजूद है। आज जो सुरसुरा के तीन तरफ जंगल है, वह उसी जंगल के अवशेष हैं। जहां लाछा की गायें चरती थी। यह सुरसुरा उसी नाग की बाम्बी के पास बसा हुआ है।

तेजाजी के देवगति पाने के बाद इसी सुनसान जंगल से एक बार सूर्रा नाम का खाती अपने बैल गाड़ी जोतकर गुजर रहा था। रात्री हो जाने पर तेजाजी के वीरगति स्थल के पास रात्री विश्राम के लिए रुका। रात्री में चोरों द्वारा उसके बैल चुरा लिए गए। लेकिन तेजाजी की कृपा से बैलों को लेकर भागने में सफल नहीं हो सके। रात भर तेजाजी के समाधि स्थल व काबरिया पहाड़ी के बीच भूल-भुलैया के भ्रम में पड़ भटकते रहे। सवेरे चोर लोग बैलों को खाती को संभलाकर क्षमा मांगते हुये चले गए। इस घटना के बाद सुर्रा का अष्था-विश्वास तेजाजी के प्रति इतना बढ़ गया कि वह उसी जंगल में बस गया। उसी सुर्रा के नाम पर गाँव का नाम सुरसुरा पड़ा। आम बोलचाल की भाषा में इस गाँव को अब भी सुर्रा ही बोलते हैं।


[पृष्ठ-308]: सुरसुरा मंदिर – तेजाजी की वीरगति धाम, सुरसुरा में तेजाजी का बहुत ही सुंदर और भव्य मंदिर बना हुआ है। यह मंदिर उसी स्थान पर है जहां बलिदान के बाद आसू देवासी की अगुआई में पनेर-त्योद के कुछ लोगों के साथ ग्वालों ने तेजाजी का दाह संस्कार किया था। इसी स्थान पर तेजाजी की पत्नी पेमल सती हो गई थी। मंदिर के सामने बहुत बड़ी धर्म शाला बनी हुई है जिसमें तेजाजी की जीवनी चित्रित की हुई है।


[पृष्ठ-309]:मंदिर का मूल स्थान जमीन की सतह से 3-4 फुट नीचा है। यह जमीन की सतह से नीचा इसलिए है कि तेजाजी के बलिदान के समय यहाँ एक छोटा सा नाड़ा था। उसी नाड़ा की पाल पर खेजड़े के नीचे नागदेव की बाम्बी थी, जो आज भी मौजूद है। नाड़ा का अंदरूनी भाग तेजाजी का बलिदान स्थल एवं दाह संस्कार स्थल होने से नाड़ा की पाल को साथ लेते हुये नाड़ा में ही मंदिर बना दिया है।

जन मान्यता अनुसार मंदिर के गर्भ गृह में स्वयं भू प्राचीन प्रतिमा से सटकर नागराज बाम्बी विद्यमान है। लोगों की दृढ़ आस्था विश्वास मान्यता के अनुसार गेहूं रंगाभ श्वेत नाग के रूप में तेजाजी दर्शन देते हैं तो उनको इसी बाम्बी में प्रवेश कराया जाता है।

सुरसुरा के निवासी – सुरसुरा में जाट, माली, गुर्जर, ब्राह्मण, वैष्णव, मेघवाल, रैदास, दर्जी, सुनार, कुम्हार, हरिजन, राजपूत, दमामी, मीणा, खटीक, नाई, आचार्य (अजारज), बागरिया, मुसलमान (नाई, टेली, पिनारा, बिंजारा) आदि। जातियाँ निवास करती हैं। लगभग इनकी आधी आबादी जाटों की है। फिर बाद में माली, गुर्जर, कुम्हार ब्राह्मण आदि है।

मेला – हर साल भादवा सुदी दशमी (तेजा दसमी) को तेजाजी का सुरसुरा में मेला भरता है जो 3 दिन चलता है।

प्रादेशिक वीर तेजा जाट विश्राम स्थली सुरसुरा

प्रादेशिक वीर तेजा जाट विश्राम स्थली (धर्मशाला) सुरसुरा जिला अजमेर राज के निर्माणाधीन भवन की प्रगति रिपोर्ट

श्योबक्षजी माण्ड्या निवासी ग्राम भदूण
  • श्योबक्षजी माण्ड्या निवासी ग्राम भदूण, जिला अजमेर (राज) की ओर से प्रादेशिक वीर तेजा जाट विश्राम स्थली( धर्मशाला) सुरसुरा जिला अजमेर राज में 15'×15'साइज का एक कमरा निर्माण के लिए सहयोग राशि 2,61,000/- रुपये दान दिया.
  • इन्द्रराजसिंहजी चौधरी साहब गाजियाबाद यू पी ने आप की ओर से प्रादेशिक वीर तेजा जाट विश्राम स्थली (धर्मशाला) सुरसुरा जिला अजमेर (राज) के भव्य भवन के निर्माण में 11,111/-रुपये ग्यारह हजार एक सौ ग्यारह रुपये सहयोग राशि ऑनलाइन समिति के खाता में भेजी है।
ग्राम पंचायत जाचोता
  • ग्राम पंचायत जाजोता (खाजपुरा भेरवाई सहित) जिला अजमेर (राज) की ओर से प्रादेशिक वीर तेजा जाट विश्राम स्थली ( धर्मशाला ) सुरसुरा जिला अजमेर राज में 15'×15' साइज का एक कमरा निर्माण के लिए 3,01,000/-रुपये सहयोग राशि समर्पित करते हुए ग्राम पंचायत जाचोता के गणमान्य महानुभाव।
जाट समाज ग्राम मरवा
  • समस्त जाट समाज ग्राम मरवा तहसील दूदू जिला जयपुर की ओर से प्रादेशिक वीर तेजा जाट विश्राम स्थली (धर्मशाला ) सुरसुरा जिला अजमेर (राज) में 15'×15'साइज का एक कमरा निर्माण के लिए सहयोग की द्वितीय किश्त 1,50,000/- रुपये समर्पितकरते हुए जाट समाज ग्राम मरवा के गणमान्य महानुभाव। 1,11,000/-रुपये प्रथम किश्त के रूप 18/01/2019 को समर्पित किये जा चुके हैं। 1,11,000/-+ 1,50,000/- = 2,61,000/- रुपये कुल सहयोग राशि समर्पित।

The folk deity Tejaji

Sursura is the place where the Jat folk-deity Tejaji became martyr fighting with the enemies. The jot (जोत) of Tejaji is carried from this place to any place in India where a temple of Tejaji is constructed. It becomes a heaven of visitors and devotees during the month of Bhadwa. Devotees come from Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to pay tributes. Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh people have strong faith in Tejaji. Here Tejaji temples can be found in large number of villages.

Tejaji Dham temple Sursura

Tejaji Statues at Sursura Dham
Deoli of Pemal
Kala Bhainru Statue

There is a temple of Tejaji facing east at the site in Sursura where Tejaji martyred fighting with enemies. There are three statues in it. Tejaji is shown riding the mare 'Līlan' (लीलण) with a black cobra sucking blood. In the south direction of statues is the bambi where he was bite by cobra. Here is a statue of Kala Bhainru, who was supposed to be his guard and was always with Tejaji. Outside the parikrama area is a deoli of Pemal, wife of Tejaji, where she became sati with Tejaji. There is a dharamsala in front of temple on which life of Tejaji has been depicted.

Entry of ladies is prohibited in Tejaji temple as he was akhand brahmchari. A mali caste people does the pooja. Present Pujari is Kalyanji Mali.

There is further need to improve the temple campus and facilities here. More and more people are coming forward to donate for the temple of Tejaji.

Need to improve the temple campus

I visited Sursura in Ajmer district on 15 March 2009. It is situated on Kishangarh-Hanumangarh Mega-highway. Sursura is the village where Tejaji died fighting with the enemies to protect the cows. Tejaji is probably earliest Jat character in the memory of the society in general and Jats in particular. There is need to develop Sursura as a Unique Mukti Dham of Tejaji.

Suggestions for improvement:

  • The Tejaji temple site is situated inside the residence area and approach is not that attractive. The temple is being renovated. According to a shilalekh of donors Shri Balma Ram Badwal of Sursura donated Rs 1.81 Lakh for the renovation. There is need to develop this campus to make it attractive for the tourists.
  • Looking to limited space of the temple campus a new site should be developed on main road and made it Tejaji Museum.
  • More people should come forward to preserve the history and the monuments associated with Tejaji.
  • Good example is Jambhoji Dham at Mukam near Nokha in Bikaner district where the Bishnoi Samaj has taken pains to Develop it as a unique monument.
  • Why Jats can not Develop Sursura, as Mukti Dham of Tejaji?

Notable persons from this village

  • Hiralalji Bana (हीरालालजी बाना ) - From Sursura, Kishangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan was a Teacher in Kishangarh, & at Present Social Worker & Leader. Contact No:-9414669729
  • Sant Kanha Ram (Nodal) - From Sursura, Rupangarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan is a Teacher, Social Worker, Yoga Guru and Author. He was born on 16.7.1963 in the family of Shri Chothu Ram (Jhunta Ram) Nodal and Smt. Chandani Devi. He is author of book - Shri Veer Tejaji Ka Itihas Evam Jiwan Charitra (Shodh Granth), Published by Veer Tejaji Shodh Sansthan Sursura, Ajmer, 2015.
  • Shri Balma Ram Badwal - It is worth mentioning that Shri Balma Ram Badwal son of Shri Ramaji Badwal of village Sursura donated Rs 181000/- for the renovation of the temple on 6 July 2006. A shilalekh on the temple gate mentions about this fact.
  • समस्त बाना तड़ जाट समाज सुरसुरा जिला अजमेर राज की ओर से प्रादेशिक वीर तेजा जाट विश्राम स्थली (धर्मशाला) सुरसुरा जिला अजमेर राज में 15'×15'+15'×15' के दो कमरे निर्माण के लिए 5,22,000/-रुपये सहयोग राशि समर्पित की
  • श्री वीर तेजाजी जाट भण्डारा भवन सेवा समिति सुरसुरा जिला अजमेर राज में मोडीवाल व घसवां जाट समाज झोल की ढाणी सुरसुरा की ओर से निर्माण कार्य हेतु 95000/- रुपये सहयोग राशि समर्पित की

See also

Gallery

References

  1. Delimitation Commission Report Ajmer District
  2. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 20
  3. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 21
  4. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 26
  5. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 32
  6. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 34
  7. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 36-37
  8. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 38
  9. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 39
  10. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 40
  11. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 41
  12. Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriy Shiromani Veer Tejaji, 2001, p. 43-44
  13. श्री वीर तेजाजी का इतिहास एवं जीवन चरित्र (शोधग्रंथ): लेखक - संत श्री कान्हाराम, मो: 9460360907, प्रकाशक: श्री वीर तेजाजी शोध संस्थान सुरसुरा, अजमेर, 2015, p.299-301, 308-309

Further reading

  • Mansukh Ranwa: Kshatriya Shiromani Vir Tejaji (क्षत्रिय शिरोमणि वीर तेजाजी), 2001, J C Ranwa Prakashan, Jyotinagar, Piprali Road, Sikar Rajasthan. Ph. 01572-240746

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