Jalaram Bapa

Bhakta Jalaram (1799 -1881)

Saint Shri Jalaram popularly known as Jalaram Bapa was a Hindu saint from Gujarat. He was born in Virpur Gujarat in the year 1799, on the seventh day of the Kaartika month. His parents were, Pradhan Thakkar and Rajbai Thakkar belonging to Thakkar sub-group of Lohana clan. He was married to Vir Bai Maa.
Shree Jalaram Bapa was a devotee of Lord Ram.
Jalaram Bapa was however not willing to live household life and to continue to do business of his father. He was mostly engaged in serving pilgrims, sadhus and saints.
He separated himself from his father's business and his uncle, Valjibhai asked Jalaram Bapa and Virbaima to stay in his house.
It was obvious that Jalaram Bapa was inclined to completely withdraw from marital life. Fortunately his wife, Virbaima decided to follow the path of Jalaram.
When Jalaram decided to go for a pilgrimage for holy places like Ayodhya, Kasi, Badrinath and several other sacred places. Virbaima followed him.
At the age of 18, Jalaram Bapa accepted Shree Bhoja Ram of Fatehpur as Guru and was given a "Guru Malaa and Mantra" in the name of Shree Ram.
With blessings of his guru, he started "Sadavrat" a feeding center,at Virpur his home town, where sadhus, saints as well as the visitors could have food.
Nobody returned from that place without having food. All this he did single handed with Virbaima assisting him. Soon his fame spread as an incarnation of the divine Lord Rama.
Whoever come to Virpur, whether Hindu, Muslim or any Religion was fed by Bapa.
This tradition of feeding people continues to this day in Virpur, Gujarat. The center feeds thousands of visitors every day since the year 1820 and is non-stop continued till today.
Devotees have offered so much money to this temple in the past, that the temple is no longer taking any more donations since 9th February, 2001. Virpur sub-post master spent a whole day signing money orders in the name of Jalaram bapa.
In fact, it is only temple in India to set such a trend to not to take any offerings and donations and continue the feeding to all visitors with love and reverance.
At a time when God himself in the guise of an old Saint told Jalaram Bapa to donate his wife Virbaima to serve him, after having deep sight in heart Jalaram Bapa actually donated Virbai Ma.
After reaching somewhere in forest a saint asked Virbai Ma to wait for him but he never came, this was followed by an Akashwani stating that it was only to test hospitality of the couple, then God came and gave blessings.

He had left a Cane and a Bag, with Virbai Ma, before the saint disappeared and Akashwani followed. This Danda and Jholi are still there at Virpur and are kept in display in a glass enclosure.

In modern time, many devotees of Jalaram have experienced that if they pray to Shree Jalaram Bapa from the depth of their heart, he kindly gives his blessings to them and fulfill their wishes. These experiences are known as "Parachas".
They pray to Jalaram Bapa, that if their wish is fulfilled they would donate some money or grains or do fasting on Thursday or would send their experience to be printed on Jalaram Jyot - a magazine published from Rajkot.
Due to innumerable Parchas, experienced by many persons, the name & fame of Jalaram Bapa has spread all over the world and his Temple can be found in all parts of India as well as overseas.
Previously, devotees used to send to money to Jalaram Bapa's main temple at Virpur and flow of money never stopped.
However, the Virpur temple has stopped taking any money in cash or cheque since over a decade and is one and only temple in world to do so. Theses "Parachas" are printed in the magazine every month with name & address of devotee, for any can verify it and also the person who sent his experience can come to know that his Paracha has been printed.

Even today Jalaram Bapa's birthday, the seventh day of Kartik month is celebrated as Jalaram Jayanti. On this day various groups of Jalaram devotees feed the food as prasad. This happens at a lot of Jalaram temples throughout India & abroad as well. Jalaram Jayanti is observed on the seventh day after Diwali.