Baba Shivo

Baba Shivo ji (Baba Goran)
File:Baba Shivoji Goran.jpg The worshiping image of Baba Shivoji
Devanagari	शिवोजी
Major cult center	Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab Region
Abode	Goran, Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Genealogy
Born	Samotha, present in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Parents	Father: Raja Ladh Dev, Mother: Queen Kalli

Baba Shivoji (also known as Goran Baba, estimated c. 13th-14th century) is a folk deity, worshipped in the northern states of India especially in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. He is a warrior-hero of the region, venerated as a saint and a 'avatar of Shiv'. Although there are references to him in the folklore of Jammu, little historical knowledge of Baba Shivo exists other than that he was son of King Ladh dev and queen Kalli.

Etymology

According to legend, Shivo was born with the blessings of Guru Gorakhnath, who blessed Shivo's parents Raja Ladh Dev and Rani Kalli to have the child like Lord Shiva which was used to name him Shivo.

Kingdom

Baba Shivoji 's father was the King of Pattan. Pattan is one of the historical capitals of Kashmir, nearly in the centre of the valley of paradise. Pattan tehsil has remains of four palaces including two in the municipal limits. Rajatarangini tells us that king of Kashmir Shankaravarmma built a town named Pattana.

Legends

Family and birth

According to legend, King Ladh dev had no child, then he showed his kundali to his kulguru, who told him that he has only one thing in his destiny i.e. either the kingdom or child. And if he want son then he should have to leave his kingdom and go for Austerity (Tapasya) and pray gorakhnath for the child. After handing over the throne to his younger brother, Both King and queen left for the Samotha where they prayed to gorakhnath for years and Gorakhnath blessed them that a son will be born to them who will have the godly features like Shiva, due to which he was named as Shivo. He was born in Samotha

Other

When he reached his youthful age, he decided to work for the king of jammu in his palace. According to folklore, that once a tiger came to the palace and then Shivo took the head of tiger and put it under the palace by lifting it with his other hand. Then, king came to know that he is godly man and touched his feet and baba gave Spiritual gyaan to him.

Shivo used to play a musical instrument (merely flute or guitar) and in Samotha mostly there were Khatris, when he used to play it their women came out of their homes to hear. They found it be an insane act and conspired to kill Shivo when he was meditating under the Bauhinia Vahilii Grove. Baba Shivoji's head remained there but his body travelled to the Goran where presently is the Babaji's Temple. Most of Khatris of Samotha were killed while others left the area because of the Baba's curse. It is said that the Baba Goran fulfils all the wishes of an individual if the devotee prays with a true heart and strong determination. Many people ask for wishes to the Baba and then offer Bhandara (charity kitchen) at the temple after the wish is fulfilled. Moreover, goat sacrifice also take place there. Baba Shivo (Goran Baba), is the Kuldev of Sarmal clan of the Suryavanshi Dogra Rajputs . Moreover, the Devotees from Hindu and Muslim community also thronged the shrine in large mainly on Sunday and Tuesday.

Celebrations and Fairs

Every year, the grand wrestling match is being held in name of Baba Shivo at the Shrine. Moreover, the Chhadi yatra also took place from Samotha to Goran.