Ramdev Pir (1352–1385 AD) was a Rajput chieftain revered as a Hindu deity in Rajasthan and neighboring regions. He is remembered for his devotion to the poor, claimed miracles, and the shrine at Ramdevra.
Early life
Ramdev was born on Chaitra Sudi Panchami in V.S. 1409 (1352 CE) to King Ajmal Tanwar and Queen Minaldevi, daughter of Pamji Bhati of Chhahan Baru village, in Ramdevra, Jaisalmer.
According to legend, King Ajmal prayed at Dwarka for an heir, received a boon from Krishna, and subsequently fathered Ramdev after an earlier son, Viramdev.
Life and work
Ramdev is credited with 24 miracles and is said to have demonstrated his powers when five Sufi pirs from Mecca accepted his invitation after he miraculously summoned their bowls.
He advocated equality, helping the oppressed and granting wishes, and composed verbal poems (bāņīs) later transcribed by followers, notably the Baba Ramdev Chaubis Praman collection.
Ramdev undertook samadhi at Ramdevra on Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi in V.S. 1442, at the age of 33, after announcing a seven‑day fair that invited saints of diverse faiths.
Legacy and memory
The primary shrine at Ramdevra, housing his samadhi and those of his disciples, was expanded by Maharaja Ganga Singh in 1931 and includes the tombs of five Muslim pirs and a step‑well believed to have healing waters.
Ramdev is venerated across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond, with fairs, temples, and a significant pilgrimage site in Tando Allahyar, Sindh, Pakistan, where an annual three‑day festival draws large numbers of devotees.
He is regarded as the ishta devata of the Meghwal community and other social groups, and is often depicted on horseback, symbolizing his enduring cultural and spiritual influence.
Based on: the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0) — facts from that source; edited and translated by Times of Rajasthan.