Template:Infobox festival 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.[1][2] Organized primarily by the local Mali community, the tradition has been observed for over 630 years.[3][4] 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.[5]
The focal point of the festival is a newly married youth, selected to represent the Rao for a single day.[6] 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.[7]
Women are prohibited from participating in the procession due to the traditional singing of explicit folk songs by the participants.[2][7] The festivities conclude when the Rao performs a ceremonial jump into the Nag Ganga (also known as Nag Kund) pond.[6]
History[edit | edit source]
The festival's origins are associated with the late 14th century liberation of Mandore from Turkish administration.[8] 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.[9] 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.[5][9] Rao Hema's defense of his family's honor during this confrontation established a reputation for valor, leading the Inda Parihars—the local chieftains struggling under foreign occupation—to invite him to Mandore.[9] He arrived in the region on 12 March 1389 (Vikram Samvat 1446).[9]
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.[8][9] This Aibak Khan is identified as a local administrator distinct from the 13th-century Sultan of Delhi, Qutb ud-Din Aibak.[8] Traditional accounts state that Aibak Khan imposed heavy levies on the local population, culminating in a demand for 100 bullock carts filled with green fodder for his cavalry.[8][9] Rao Hema Gehlot devised an ambush, concealing 500 armed soldiers within the fodder-filled carts while the drivers camouflaged themselves with green leaves.[5][9] Upon gaining entry to the Mandore Fort, the hidden warriors defeated the garrison and reclaimed the stronghold.[5][4]
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).[8][9][4] The annual Raoji 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.[5][8][3]
Selection of the Rao[edit | edit source]
The festival procession is led by a newly married man selected from the Gehlot clan of the Khokriya Bera neighborhood.[6][8] The candidate should possess a strong physique and demonstrate proficiency in traditional dance, particularly to the rhythmic beat of the Chang (drum).[6][3] Historically, the authority to select the Rao belonged to the Gopi Bera and later the Phoolbagh Bera. It is currently exercised by elders of the Aamli Bera.[3][8]
Once a candidate is chosen, the elders formalize the selection by stamping a pink or red handprint (chhapa) on the youth's back.[6][1][4] Following this ritual, the youth is considered a “Rao” for the duration of the day.[3][10] He is traditionally adorned in white garments, ankle bells (ghunghroo), and a crown composed of fresh flowers and leaves.[3][1] 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.[3][8]
The Procession (Ger)[edit | edit source]
The ceremonial procession, known as the Ger, typically commences in the late afternoon from the Shiva temple in the Mandawata Bera.[6][1][3] The route spans approximately 3 kilometers and passes through several historic neighborhoods, including the Khokriya, Bhiyali, Gopi, and Phoolbagh beras.[6][1][4] Participation involves thousands of men from eight distinct local beras (clans or neighborhoods), who march while singing traditional folk songs and dancing.[6][4] The primary instrument played during the march is the Chang drum.
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.[6][3][4] Women are excluded from the main procession. This custom is attributed to the singing of traditional folk songs featuring explicit or ribald lyrics.[7][2][4]
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.[6][3][1] This act signifies the end of the festival and the symbolic conclusion of the Rao's one-day reign.[6][3]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "3 को धुलंडी के दिन रावजी और चैनपुरा की गेर, 633 साल पुरानी परंपरा निभाएंगे मंडोर की नौ बेरों के लोग" [Raoji and Chainpura Ger on Dhulandi on 3rd, people of nine beras of Mandore will observe 633 year old tradition]. "Dainik Bhaskar" (in हिन्दी). Jodhpur. 2026-03-01.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "धुलंडी पर परंपरा का रंग: मंडोर में सजेगी ऐतिहासिक 'रावजी की गेर'" [Colors of tradition on Dhulandi: Historical 'Raoji ki Ger' to be decorated in Mandore]. "Rajasthan Patrika" (in हिन्दी). Jodhpur. 2026-03-02.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Gaur, Krishna Kumar (2026-02-23). "मारवाड़ की ऐतिहासिक 'रावजी की गैर'! 633 साल से जोधपुर के मंडोर में कायम है यह अनूठी परंपरा" [Marwar's historical 'Raoji ki Ger'! This unique tradition continues in Mandore, Jodhpur for 633 years]. News18 Local18 (in हिन्दी).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "मंडोर की ऐतिहासिक 'रावजी की गेर' में साकार हुई 634 साल पुरानी शौर्य-परंपरा" [634 year old tradition of valor realized in the historical 'Raoji ki Ger' of Mandore]. "Rajasthan Patrika" (in हिन्दी). Jodhpur. 2024-03-04.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Sharma, Ravindra. "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" [The war started by saving a rabbit: Rao Hema defeated the Turks with 500 soldiers and liberated Mandore, Ger comes out in this joy]. Dainik Bhaskar (in हिन्दी).
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 "रावजी की गेर की अनूठी परंपरा आज भी कायम" [Raoji's unique tradition of Ger still persists]. Dainik Bhaskar (in हिन्दी). Jodhpur.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Gaur, Krishna Kumar (2025-03-15). "जोधपुर में रावजी की गेर की अनूठी परंपरा, धुलंडी पर होली की मस्ती" [Unique tradition of Raoji ki Ger in Jodhpur, Holi fun on Dhulandi]. News18 Rajasthan (in हिन्दी).
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 "तुर्कों को हराने वाले राव हेमा की याद में निकली 'गैर', 632 साल पूरानी है यह परंपरा" ['Ger' taken out in memory of Rao Hema who defeated Turks, this tradition is 632 years old]. ETV Bharat (in हिन्दी). 2024-03-25.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Inscription on the Rao Hema Gehlot Memorial Plaque, Mandore Gardens, Jodhpur. Erected by Sainik Kshatriya Maali Cultural Promotion and History Research (Regd.), Jodhpur.
- ↑ Bhati, Harshwardhan Singh (2020-03-11). "मंडोर में धूमधाम से निकली ऐतिहासिक रावजी की गेर, मंत्री शेखावत ने भी शिरकत" [Historical Raoji ki Ger taken out with pomp in Mandore, Minister Shekhawat also participated]. Rajasthan Patrika (in हिन्दी).