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{{Short description|Festival celebrated in Mandore, Jodhpur}}

{{Infobox festival
| name = Raoji ki Ger
| image = Raoji Ki Ger procession in Mandore, Jodhpur.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Raoji ki Ger procession in Mandore, 2026.
| location = [[Mandore]], [[Jodhpur]], [[Rajasthan]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|26.35292|N|73.03249|E|display=inline,title}}
| date = [[Dhulandi]] (the day after [[Holi]])
| frequency = Annual
| founded = 1392 CE (Commemorates victory of Rao Hema Gehlot)
| participants = 8 local ''beras''
}}
'''Raoji ki Ger''' (also locally known as '''Raav''' or '''Rao Mahotsav''') is an annual cultural festival and procession held on [[Dhulandi]] in the [[Mandore]] region of [[Jodhpur]], Rajasthan.<ref name="News1">{{cite news |title=3 को धुलंडी के दिन रावजी और चैनपुरा की गेर, 633 साल पुरानी परंपरा निभाएंगे मंडोर की नौ बेरों के लोग |trans-title=Raoji and Chainpura Ger on Dhulandi on 3rd, people of nine beras of Mandore will observe 633 year old tradition |newspaper="Dainik Bhaskar" |date=2026-03-01 |location=Jodhpur |language=hi}}</ref><ref name="News2">{{cite news |title=धुलंडी पर परंपरा का रंग: मंडोर में सजेगी ऐतिहासिक 'रावजी की गेर' |trans-title=Colors of tradition on Dhulandi: Historical 'Raoji ki Ger' to be decorated in Mandore |newspaper="Rajasthan Patrika" |date=2026-03-02 |location=Jodhpur |language=hi}}</ref> Organized primarily by the local [[Mali caste|Mali]] community, the tradition has been observed for over 630 years.<ref name="News18History">{{cite news |last=Gaur |first=Krishna Kumar |title=मारवाड़ की ऐतिहासिक 'रावजी की गैर'! 633 साल से जोधपुर के मंडोर में कायम है यह अनूठी परंपरा |trans-title=Marwar's historical 'Raoji ki Ger'! This unique tradition continues in Mandore, Jodhpur for 633 years |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/rajasthan/jodhpur-jodhpur-mandor-rao-ji-ki-gair-mali-samaj-tradition-history-local18-10211700.html |work=News18 Local18 |date=2026-02-23 |language=hi}}</ref><ref name="News3">{{cite news |title=मंडोर की ऐतिहासिक 'रावजी की गेर' में साकार हुई 634 साल पुरानी शौर्य-परंपरा |trans-title=634 year old tradition of valor realized in the historical 'Raoji ki Ger' of Mandore |newspaper="Rajasthan Patrika" |date=2024-03-04 |location=Jodhpur |language=hi}}</ref> The event commemorates the 14th-century military victory of a local warrior, Rao Hema Gehlot, who defeated the forces of Aibak Khan to liberate Mandore.<ref name="BhaskarHema">{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Ravindra |title=खरगोश को बचाने से शुरू हुआ युद्ध:राव हेमा ने 500 सैनिकों के साथ तुर्कों को हराकर मंडोर को आजाद कराया, इसी खुशी में निकलती है गेर |trans-title=The war started by saving a rabbit: Rao Hema defeated the Turks with 500 soldiers and liberated Mandore, Ger comes out in this joy |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/jodhpur/news/rao-hema-along-with-500-soldiers-defeated-the-turks-and-liberated-mandore-in-this-happiness-ger-comes-out-130973081.html |work=Dainik Bhaskar |language=hi}}</ref>

The focal point of the festival is a newly married youth, selected to represent the [[Rai (title)|Rao]] for a single day.<ref name="BhaskarTradition">{{cite news |title=रावजी की गेर की अनूठी परंपरा आज भी कायम |trans-title=Raoji's unique tradition of Ger still persists |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/rajasthan/jodhpur/news/rajasthan-news-ravi39s-unique-tradition-of-gere-still-persists-khokriya-bera-is-the-choice-of-rao-amalie-bera-mandaat-bera-people-do-security-035119-4166646.html |work=Dainik Bhaskar |location=Jodhpur |language=hi}}</ref> Adorned with a crown of flowers and leaves to symbolize the camouflage used by historical soldiers, he leads a procession of men through various local neighborhoods.<ref name="News18Women">{{cite news |last=Gaur |first=Krishna Kumar |title=जोधपुर में रावजी की गेर की अनूठी परंपरा, धुलंडी पर होली की मस्ती |trans-title=Unique tradition of Raoji ki Ger in Jodhpur, Holi fun on Dhulandi |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/rajasthan/jodhpur-rao-jis-ger-yatra-still-has-a-unique-identity-this-is-the-first-event-in-the-country-and-the-world-in-which-entry-of-women-is-prohibited-local18-9102796.html |work=News18 Rajasthan |date=2025-03-15 |language=hi}}</ref>

Women are prohibited from participating in the procession due to the traditional singing of explicit folk songs by the participants.<ref name="News2" /><ref name="News18Women" /> The festivities conclude when the Rao performs a ceremonial jump into the Nag Ganga (also known as Nag Kund) pond.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" />

== History ==

The festival's origins are associated with the late 14th century liberation of Mandore from [[Turkic peoples in India|Turkish administration]].<ref name="ETV2024">{{cite news |title=तुर्कों को हराने वाले राव हेमा की याद में निकली 'गैर', 632 साल पूरानी है यह परंपरा |trans-title='Ger' taken out in memory of Rao Hema who defeated Turks, this tradition is 632 years old |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/hi/!state/mali-samaj-gair-tradition-on-holi-2024-in-jodhpur-know-about-632-years-old-history-rjs24032503264 |work=ETV Bharat |date=2024-03-25 |language=hi}}</ref> According to local historical records and the inscription at his memorial in Mandore, Rao Hema Gehlot was born in the village of [[Kuchera]] in the [[Nagaur]] district.<ref name="MemorialPlaque">Inscription on the Rao Hema Gehlot [[Commemorative plaque|Memorial Plaque]], Mandore Gardens, Jodhpur. Erected by Sainik Kshatriya Maali Cultural Promotion and History Research (Regd.), Jodhpur.</ref> A formative incident in his youth involved his mother, Gavari, who protected a wounded hare that had sought refuge with her from a hunting party.<ref name="BhaskarHema" /><ref name="MemorialPlaque" /> Rao Hema's defense of his family's honor during this confrontation established a reputation for valor, leading the Inda [[Parihar (clan)|Parihars]]—the local chieftains struggling under foreign occupation—to invite him to Mandore.<ref name="MemorialPlaque" /> He arrived in the region on 12 March 1389 ([[Vikram Samvat]] 1446).<ref name="MemorialPlaque" />

During this period, the [[Delhi Sultanate]]'s grip on the region was weakening under the late [[Tughlaq dynasty]]. Mandore was administered as an outpost by a Turkish official named Aibak Khan, an appointee of Zafar Khan, the Governor of Gujarat, under [[Gujarat Sultanate]].<ref name="ETV2024" /><ref name="MemorialPlaque" /> This Aibak Khan is identified as a local administrator distinct from the 13th-century Sultan of Delhi, [[Qutb ud-Din Aibak]].<ref name="ETV2024" /> Traditional accounts state that Aibak Khan imposed heavy levies on the local population, culminating in a demand for 100 [[Bullock cart|bullock carts]] filled with green fodder for his cavalry.<ref name="ETV2024" /><ref name="MemorialPlaque" /> Rao Hema Gehlot devised an ambush, concealing 500 armed soldiers within the fodder-filled carts while the drivers camouflaged themselves with green leaves.<ref name="BhaskarHema" /><ref name="MemorialPlaque" /> Upon gaining entry to the [[Mandore#Monuments|Mandore Fort]], the hidden warriors defeated the garrison and reclaimed the stronghold.<ref name="BhaskarHema" /><ref name="News3" />

[[File:Rao Hema Gehlot statue in Mandore garden 02.jpg|thumb|Statue of Rao Hema Gehlot in Mandore garden]]
Following the victory, control of Mandore was transferred to [[Rao Chunda]], and in recognition of his service, Rao Hema Gehlot was granted an agricultural estate on 8 December 1392 (Vikram Samvat 1449).<ref name="ETV2024" /><ref name="MemorialPlaque" /><ref name="News3" /> The annual [[Rao (title)|Rao]]ji ki Ger was established on the day of [[Dhulandi]] to commemorate this victory. Traditionally, the Rao wears floral crown as a direct homage to the camouflage used by the historical soldiers.<ref name="BhaskarHema" /><ref name="ETV2024" /><ref name="News18History" />

== Selection of the Rao ==

The festival procession is led by a newly married man selected from the [[Guhila (clan)|Gehlot]] clan of the Khokriya Bera neighborhood.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="ETV2024" /> The candidate should possess a strong physique and demonstrate proficiency in traditional dance, particularly to the rhythmic beat of the ''Chang'' (drum).<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="News18History" /> Historically, the authority to select the [[Rao (title)|Rao]] belonged to the Gopi Bera and later the Phoolbagh Bera. It is currently exercised by elders of the Aamli Bera.<ref name="News18History" /><ref name="ETV2024" />

Once a candidate is chosen, the elders formalize the selection by stamping a pink or red handprint (''chhapa'') on the youth's back.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="News1" /><ref name="News3" /> Following this ritual, the youth is considered a “[[Rai (title)|Rao]]” for the duration of the day.<ref name="News18History" /><ref name="PatrikaShekhawat">{{cite news |last=Bhati |first=Harshwardhan Singh |title=मंडोर में धूमधाम से निकली ऐतिहासिक रावजी की गेर, मंत्री शेखावत ने भी शिरकत |trans-title=Historical Raoji ki Ger taken out with pomp in Mandore, Minister Shekhawat also participated |url=https://www.patrika.com/jodhpur-news/famous-rao-ji-ki-gair-celebrated-at-mandore-area-of-jodhpur-5878449 |work=Rajasthan Patrika |date=2020-03-11 |language=hi}}</ref> He is traditionally adorned in white garments, ankle bells (''[[Ghungroo|ghunghroo]]''), and a crown composed of fresh flowers and leaves.<ref name="News18History" /><ref name="News1" /> This specific attire serves as a symbolic tribute to the camouflage used by Rao Hema Gehlot's soldiers during the 14th-century liberation of Mandore.<ref name="News18History" /><ref name="ETV2024" />

== The Procession (Ger) ==

The ceremonial procession, known as the ''Ger'', typically commences in the late afternoon from the [[Shiva |Shiva temple]] in the Mandawata Bera.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="News1" /><ref name="News18History" /> The route spans approximately 3 kilometers and passes through several historic neighborhoods, including the Khokriya, Bhiyali, Gopi, and Phoolbagh beras.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="News1" /><ref name="News3" /> Participation involves thousands of men from eight distinct local ''beras'' (clans or neighborhoods), who march while singing traditional folk songs and dancing.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="News3" /> The primary instrument played during the march is the ''Chang'' drum.

[[File:Cordon in Raoji Ki Ger procession in Mandore, Jodhpur.jpg|thumb|left|Cordon for procession, 2026]]
The safety of the Rao is managed by a security cordon formed by youths from the Mandawata Bera. They carry wooden sticks and hockey sticks and maintain a protective perimeter around him throughout the five-hour journey.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="News18History" /><ref name="News3" /> Women are excluded from the main procession. This custom is attributed to the singing of traditional folk songs featuring explicit or ribald lyrics.<ref name="News18Women" /><ref name="News2" /><ref name="News3" />

[[File:Mandore Fort and Museum.jpg|thumb|Nag Ganga in Government Museum Complex]]
The procession concludes when the Rao performs a ritual jump into the ancient Nag Ganga (also known as Nag kund) pond, a small pond situated within the Government Museum complex of the gardens.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="News18History" /><ref name="News1" /> This act signifies the end of the festival and the symbolic conclusion of the Rao's one-day reign.<ref name="BhaskarTradition" /><ref name="News18History" />

== See also ==
* [[Holi]]
* [[Mandore]]
* [[Culture of Rajasthan]]
* [[Marwar]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Festivals in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Spring festivals in India]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]

Raoji Ki Ger - Revision history

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