Rana Jashraj was elevated to the name Veer Dada Jashraj and he was worshiped as
kuladevata
A kuladevatā (), also known as a kuladaivaṃ, is an ancestral tutelary deity in Hinduism and Jainism.
Such a deity is often the object of one's devotion (''bhakti''), and is coaxed to watch over one's clan (''kula''), gotra, family, and chil ...
by the
Lohana caste.
In memory of Jashraj, ''
Vasant Panchami'' (the fifth day of the spring season as per the
Hindu calendar
The Hindu calendar, Panchanga () or Panjika is one of various lunisolar calendars that are traditionally used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with further regional variations for social and Hindu religious purposes. They adopt a s ...
) is celebrated as a ''balidaani diwas'' (martyr day) of Veer Dada Jashraj.
Veer Dada Jashraj is a deity worshiped by Lohana,
Bhanushali,
Khatri, and
Saraswat Brahmin community of
Punjab,
Sindh
Sindh (; ; ur, , ; historically romanized as Sind) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Located in the southeastern region of the country, Sindh is the third-largest province of Pakistan by land area and the second-largest province ...
,
Gujarat of the Indian subcontinent.
As per their folk tales, Jashraj, who lived around between 1205 and 1231, was at his wedding mandap when he learned that enemies were stealing cattle, the holy animal worshipped by Hindus. He left his fears and confronted his enemies to save the cattle. He was assisted in war by his sister Harkor. Although, the enemy from Kabul was eventually defeated, and Jashraj became victorious, he was killed as a result of an enemy strategem. He has ever since been worshiped by Lohanas and Bhanushalis as Veer Dada Jashraj and his sister
Harkor is worshiped as kuladevi by the Lohana clan.
However, Lohanas today consider Dada Jasraj as their folk deity or kuladevata and there is a custom of giving offerings such as dates and jaggery to the idol of Dada Jasraj, who is shown riding a horse. Newlywed brides offer these to Dada Jasraj wearing colorful clothes. Previously it was prescribed to wear only white clothes, while offering puja, but this custom is now almost forgotten by the Lohanas.
See also
*
Rana Vachhraj
References
External links
*Lohanas in Diaspora, Rohit Barot, Department of Sociology, Centre for the Study of Minorities and Social Change,University of Bristo
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Veer_Jasraj_Dada.jpg
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jashraj, Rana
Hindu folk deities
Regional Hindu gods