Valamram (1824–1886) was a prominent Hindu saint & social reformer of the 19th century from Gujarat, who was disciple of
Bhoja Bhagat
Bhoja Bhagat (1785–1850), also known as Bhojal or Bhojalram was a Hindu saint poet from Gujarat, India.
Life
Bhoja or Bhojo was born in 1785 in Leuva Patidar caste at village named Devkigalol near Jetpur in Saurashtra. His father's name was ...
. He lived in
Gariadhar
Gariadhar is a city and a municipality in Bhavnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.
Geography
Gariadhar is located at . It has an average elevation of 83 metres (272 feet).
Demographics
India census, Gariadhar had a populat ...
. He was ''Guru-Bhai'' of
Jalaram
Jalaram Bapa ( gu, જલારામ બાપા) popularly known as Bapa ( gu, બાપા) (4 November 1799 (Samvat 1856) – 23 February 1881 (Samvat 1937)) was a Hindu saint from Gujarat, India. He was born on 4 November 1799, one week a ...
of Virpur.http://www.somnathmahadev.com/sant-mahatma/sant-bhoja-bhagat-guru-of-sant-jalaram-bapa/
Life
Vala was born in year 1824 in
Kunbi
Kunbi (alternatively Kanbi , Kurmi ) is a generic term applied to caste system, castes of traditional farmers in Western India. These include the Dhonoje, Ghatole, Hindre, Jadav, Jhare, Khaire, Lewa (Leva Patil), Lonare and Tirole communities ...
caste to Lavaji Narayan Katrodia & Jabai. When he was of age he met Bhoja Bhagat of Fatehpur, who had earlier appeared in his dreams. Bhoja Bhagat made him his disciple and gave him the
kanthi A gaurav ''kanthi'', or simply ''kanthi'' ( sa, कण्ठी, ''kaṇṭhī'', . "necklace"), is an basil-seed threaded string worn by some adherents of Hinduism.
In Vaishnavism
Followers of Gaudiya Vaishnavism wear ''kanthi malas'' made of '' ...
and name of Valamram. In his later life started "Sadavrat" a free feeding center at Gariadhar in year 1870. He took live
samadhi
''Samadhi'' (Pali and sa, समाधि), in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools, is a state of meditative consciousness. In Buddhism, it is the last of the eight elements of the Noble Eightfold Path. In the Ashtanga Yoga ...
in year 1886. Even today, as per promise taken by Valamram from his
Guru
Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverentia ...
, Bhoja Bhagat, the
Dhwaja
Dhvaja (Sanskrit also ध्वज; )
, meaning banner or flag, is composed of the Ashtamangala, the "eight auspicious symbols".
In Hinduism
Dhvaja in Hinduism or vedic tradition takes on the appearance of a high column (dhvaja-stambha) erec ...
to be hoisted atop the ashram of Bhoja Bhagat at Fatehpur, on birth celebration of Bhoja Bhagat is sent from Gariadhar by Valamram's Ashram. The
Ashram
An ashram ( sa, आश्रम, ) is a spiritual hermitage or a monastery
A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or a ...
and feeding center started by him in Gariadhar, is still doing their service to humanity. Hundreds of people, from various places, visit ashram & samadhi to pay their respects to the departed saint.
Recently, in January, 2012, more than 150 years old four antique metal idols of
Sri Krishna
Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one o ...
of religious significance, were stolen from Ashram. The idols were stolen by breaking the locks of the gate of temple inside the ashram. As per information given by presiding
Mahant
Mahant () is a religious superior, in particular the chief of a temple or the head of a monastery in Indian religions.
James Mallinson, one of the few westerners to be named as a mahant, describes the position of a mahant as a combination of an ...
of Ashram, there is a folk-tale that two of the idols were said to have been presented to Valamramji by Lord Krishna, when he gave darshan to him. These idols were installed in temple inside ashram by the saint Valamramji himself. Other two idols were installed by Mahantas, who succeeded the ashram's gadi, after demise of saint Shri Valamram Bapu. However, after one day the idols were found lying inside a bag, left at the gate of Ashram. The two metal idols were found broken and two intact. There was a sense of relief and rejoice in the city after news of recovery of idols were announced by police. A procession was taken out, thereafter, by followers of ''Valamram Bapa'' & citizens to celebrate recovery of idols.http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:fQQd7XK1DWEJ:www.gujaratsamachar.com/gsa/20020120/guj/gujarat/news51.html+%E0%AA%B5%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%B2%E0%AA%AE%E0%AA%B0%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%AE&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=firefox-a Gujarat Samachar Online 1 Jan 2012