Om Singh
Rathore
The Rathore is a Rajput clan found in Northern India.
Subclans
Jodhana, Vadhel, Jaitawat, Kumpawat, Champawat, Meratiya, Udawat, Karamsot etc. are the branches or subclans of Rathore Rajputs. Coverage
This article discusses the "Kanauji ...
(also called Shri Om Banna and Bullet Baba) is a folk deity, whose shrine and temple called Om Banna Dham is located in
Pali district
Pali district is a district in Rajasthan, India. The city of Pali is its administrative headquarters.
History
In 120 AD, during the Kushana Age, King Kanishka conquered the Rohat and Jaitaran areas, parts of today's Pali district. Until the ...
near
Jodhpur
Jodhpur (; ) is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan and officially the second metropolitan city of the state. It was formerly the seat of the princely state of Jodhpur State. Jodhpur was historically the capital of the Ki ...
,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
, devoted to him and his motorcycle. It is located from
Pali
Pali () is a Middle Indo-Aryan liturgical language native to the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pāli Canon'' or ''Tipiṭaka'' as well as the sacred language of ''Theravāda'' Buddhism ...
and away from Jodphur on the Pali-Jodhpur highway, near Chotila village. The motorcycle is a 350cc
Royal Enfield Bullet RNJ 7773.
Hundreds of devotees turn up every day to pray for a safe journey.
History
On 5 May 1988, Om Banna (formerly known as Om Singh Rathore; ''banna'' is an honorary word used for
Rajput
Rajput (from Sanskrit ''raja-putra'' 'son of a king') is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating from the Indian subcontinent. The term Ra ...
youth)
was travelling from the town of Bangdi near
Sanderao
Sanderao is a village in Pali district of Rajasthan state in India. It lies 16 km north west of Bali town. It was founded by Yasobhadra in the tenth century. This place was governed by offshoots of Sisodia rulers of Udaipur. Today Sander ...
of Pali, to Chotila, when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a tree. He died on the spot whereas the motorcycle fell into a nearby ditch. The morning after the accident, local police took the motorcycle to a nearby police station. The next day it was reported to have mysteriously disappeared from the station and was found back at the site of the incident. Police, once again, took the motorcycle, this time emptying its fuel tank and putting it under lock and key. Despite their efforts, the next morning it again disappeared and was found at the accident site. Legend says that the motorcycle kept returning to the same ditch. It thwarted every attempt by police to keep it at the local police station; the motorcycle always returned to the same spot before dawn.
This came to be seen as a miracle by local population, and they began to worship the "Bullet Bike." News of the miracle motorcycle spread to nearby villages, and later they built a temple to worship it. This temple is known as "Bullet Baba's Temple." It is believed that Om Banna's spirit helps distressed travellers.
Worship
![D152244e41d035b4cd7d1a240606f0a7om banna](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/D152244e41d035b4cd7d1a240606f0a7om_banna.jpg)
Every day nearby villagers and travelers stop and pray to the bike and its late owner Om Singh Rathore. Those who pass by stop to bow their heads leave offerings in honour of the helpful spirit, and some drivers also offer small bottles of alcohol at the site. It is said that a person who does not stop to pray at the shrine is in for a dangerous journey. Devotees also apply the 'tilak' mark and tie a red thread on the motorbike. Local people sing folk songs in the name of Om Banna.
![Tree at chotila](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Tree_at_chotila.jpg)
Offerings include incense sticks, flowers, coconut, liquor, red thread and sweets. An
eternal flame is kept at the shrine.
References
External links
Listen and Download Om Banna Bhajans and SongsOm Banna, ChotilaListen to AUDIO "Om Banna Ri Katha" at Saavn.com
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Regional Hindu gods
Hindu folk deities
People from Pali district