Jaharveer Goga

Goga JI Maharaj

Jaharveer Gogaji, also known as Gogaji or Goga, or Jaharpeer, is a revered folk hero and famous deity or snake god in Rajasthan, India. He is considered a warrior king and a protector of the people, especially from evil forces. According to local legends, Gogaji was a Rajput prince and a valiant warrior who became immortal, He was known to perform miracles. He helped people by curing them of various ailments and diseases. He also protected them from snakes and thus became popular as Snake god.

Life history of Gogaji Chauhan

Gogaji’s life was marked by conflicts and valor. One key event involved him killing two of his brothers in a territorial dispute, an act that angered his mother. Fleeing her wrath, he went to Guru Gorakhnath and was advised by him to take Samadhi (a form of meditation leading to spiritual liberation) at a place marked by a “Chimta” or iron tongs. The place where Gogaji took his Samadhi became a piligrim center referred to as Gogamedi in Hanumangarh district. Here is the place where the biggest fair takes place every year, and thousands of devotees come there from various parts of India

Gogaji is also a guardian of the cattle, which is an important element in the life of village Rajasthan. His obsession to save cows, especially from contending groups, forms the core of his truthology. He is associated with snakes based on his frequent stays with them and being a “snake-god,” who protects against snake bites. He was believed to have mystical powers and healed people and worked miracles many times.

Gogaji’s worship spread across communities. He is worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims. He is termed as “Jahar Peer” in Muslim traditions and all his followers disregard these religious lines, considering him a god who helps people during any form of grief. His primary temple was built by King Ganga Singh at Gogamedi, but this remains the primary center of his worship

Gogaji temples, also called “Thans,” exist throughout Rajasthan and are built under Khejri trees. Goga Ji fair, which is the biggest religious event in this region and takes place from the 9th to the 11th day of Bhadrapada month (August-September every year). Devotees pray, sing, and dance to celebrate the fair; the nearest railhead to this place is Hanumangarh

Jaharveer Goga Ji’s birth happened due to blessing of Guru Gorakhnath ji, who blessed Bacchal mata with Guggal as a result of eating that guggal Goga Ji Maharaj were born. Gogaji was born by the blessing of Guru gorkhnath ji. Gogaji’s mother, Rani Bachal worshipped her guru Gorkhnath for 12 years to receive a boon of a child. Gogaji’s wife was Siriyal and his father was Raja Jewar Singh of Bagadh desh (Area known as Bagar) There is another popular story behind the 12-year worship of the mother of Jahar Peer (Bachal).

About Gogaji Chauhan Jaharpeer Ji

Jaharveer Gogaji or Gogaji or Goga Veer, a folk deity revered in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and parts of North India mainly, is a warrior-hero, a saint and a savior who is especially associated with snakes and saves people from their bites. Traditionally, he is believed to have been born in 1003 AD in Dadrewa, in the Churu district of Rajasthan. According to legend, Gogaji’s mother, Queen Bachchal, prayed to Guru Gorakhnath for 12 years, and it was through his blessings that Gogaji was born.

Goga Medi

Goga Medi of Goga Jaharveer temples is situated in Bhadra, District Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. Every year on Goga Navmi (Birthdate of Gogaji Maharaj) a day after Krishna Ashtami a huge fair is held and lakhs of devotees flock to Gogaji Temple to pay their respect and pray. Read more about Goga Ji temple Here. This temple was renovated by then CM Vasundhara Raje and was designed and made larger then its previous one.

Major temples, shrines and worship practices

1. Gogamedi Temple, Hanumangarh (Rajasthan)

Location: Gogamedi (Gogamedi village), Nohar tehsil, Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan.
Recognized as the main Gogaji temple / samadhi where he is believed to have entered the earth on his blue horse.
The shrine is a combination of Hindu temple and dargah‑like elements – reflecting Hindu and Muslim reverence side by side.
The present marble mausoleum / temple structure was significantly renovated and patronised by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner around 1911.

Key features and practices:

Devotees from Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and beyond visit, especially during the annual fair in Bhadrapada (Bhadon).
Many first visit the seat/place of Guru Gorakhnath near the complex, then proceed to Gogaji’s samadhi, acknowledging the Guru–disciple lineage.
Inside / around the complex you also find:
- Idols of Bhairav, Devi/Kalika, and other yogis’ tombs.
- Gorak Nathji’s Dhunna (sacred fire/spot) maintained as part of daily worship.

2. Dadrewa (Birthplace temple), Churu district, Rajasthan

Dadrewa is revered as Gogaji’s janmasthan (birthplace) and early seat of rule.
There is a major “Gugaji ri Medi” (Gugaji’s shrine) and a large annual fair held here in his honour, drawing devotees from multiple states.
Folk songs and bhajans narrating his life and battles are commonly sung by local communities.

3. Other regional shrines and footprints

Gogaji’s cult spread widely, leaving a dense network of shrines:

Rajasthan:
- Numerous small Goga johra / medi / marhi shrines across villages of Shekhawati, Marwar and Mewar where a small platform or structure with a snake and spear symbol is worshipped.
- Many farmers keep a small Gogaji symbol at field boundaries for protection from snakes and crop harm.
Haryana & Punjab:
- Many villages have Guga Marhi / Guga Mari / Jaharveer shrines, especially in Hisar, Sirsa, Rohtak, Jhajjar and neighbouring districts.
- In Punjab traditions he is sometimes closely tied with local Muslim Pirs and Sufi practices, emphasising his Pir identity.
Western UP, Delhi and beyond:
- Scattered shrines and Guga Navami observances; devotees put up Goga flags (often blue/yellow) and worship a symbol representing his naga (snake) power.

Festivals, vows and folk practices

Goga Navami and Bhadrapada fairs

Goga Navami (around Bhadrapada Shukla Navami) is the main festival associated with Gogaji, celebrated especially in Rajasthan, Haryana and adjoining areas.
During this period:
- Processions (julus) are taken with a blue‑horse standard, spear and snake symbols, often accompanied by drums and folk singers.
- Devotees visit Gogamedi, Dadrewa and local shrines, sometimes on foot as yatra, fulfilling vows to the deity.

Snake and poison related vows

Because he is Jaharveer, a large part of his worship is about protection from snakes/poison:

People affected by snakebite or other poisonous creatures pray to Gogaji for cure or vow offerings if recovered; families that have received such “grace” may sponsor bhandaras or fairs.
Children are often dedicated to Gogaji in certain communities (e.g., hair‑offering, naming rituals), asking for health and protection from venom.

Folk songs and identity

Rich oral literature – gogaji ke geet, bhajans, narratives – narrates his battles, miracles, and dialogues with Gorakhnath, his mother, his sister and Rani Shriyal.
These songs keep alive both:
- His image as Chauhan Rajput warrior‑king, and
- His role as protector of the poor, cattle, crops and travellers.

Historical vs legendary profile

Scholars caution that:

There is no firm archival chronology; dates range from 900 to 1100/1200 CE in different traditions.
However, there is broad agreement that:
- He was likely a local Chauhan chief around Dadrewa, fighting early Turkish/Delhi Sultanate forces.
- His heroic resistance, later Nath‑Panthi embellishments and popular rural devotion together evolved into the folk‑deity Gogaji / Jaharveer we know today.

At the same time, popular devotion doesn’t distinguish sharply between “history” and “legend.” For devotees in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, Gogaji is:

A Kul‑devta or Gram‑devta for many Rajput and non‑Rajput communities.
A Pir / Baba for many Muslim communities who tie threads, light incense and make vows at his shrines.
A snake‑god and protector whose blessings are sought for crops, children, and safe journeys.

Facts About Gogaji

A Chauhan Rajput prince of Dadrewa, born by the grace of Guru Gorakhnath’s boon to Rani Bachchal through the Gugal candies.
A disciple of Gorakhnath, given powers over snakes and poison, with Nath hagiographies placing Gorakhnath at key moments like his birth and wedding.
A warrior‑king of Bagad / Jangal Desh, who fought early invaders and cared deeply for his subjects, feeding the poor and protecting pastoralists.
A husband of Rani Shriyal, whose magical story reinforces his humanity, vulnerability and eventual return to duty.
A folk‑deity Jaharveer who took samadhi at Gogamedi on his blue horse, now worshipped in a syncretic Hindu–Muslim shrine and thousands of village medi/johra sites across north India.
A living presence for millions today, especially during Goga Navami and Bhadrapada fairs, where his snake‑defeating power, Rajput bravery and saintly compassion are all celebrated together.

Jaharveer Goga

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This content is written by Rajdeep Chauhan