Jodhpur : The world famous Shaheedi Mela was organized today in Khejadli village of Jodhpur, in which lakhs of people of Bishnoi community visited Lord Jambhuji. On the Martyr’s Day organized in the memory of 363 martyrs for protecting green trees, men and women of Bishnoi community paid tribute to Mother Amrita Devi. People from the country and abroad reached Khejadli village of Jodhpur to visit the world’s only environmental movement and the temple of Guru Jambheshwar Bhagwan at the martyr’s place.
In 1730, sacrifice was made under the leadership of Amrita Devi
In 1730 AD, 363 men and women under the leadership of Mother Amrita Devi sacrificed their lives to protect the green trees on the land of Khejadli and set a unique example of nature conservation for the whole world. The Bishnoi community remembers this martyrdom incident of 294 years ago by gathering in Khejadli every year on the tenth day of Bhadwa and performing a collective yagya to remember their ancestors.
The world’s first Chipko movement
Khejadli village of Luni is a witness to a unique movement in itself. The world’s first Chipko movement took place here, which gave a new direction to the environment. To protect the environment, Amrita Devi Vishnoi, an illiterate woman of the Bishnoi community, raised awareness about the environment at a time when the environmental campaign was not gaining much momentum.
Amrita Devi set an example of environmental protection
Nor was there so much pollution at that time. But in the coming times, realizing the pollution and realizing the need to protect the environment, that uneducated woman Amrita Devi set a great example of environmental protection. At that time, people were sent by the royal family to cut wood for royal work.
What is the story of Khejadli fair
It is said that there were a large number of trees in Khejadli village. When the workers of the royal family came to cut those trees, the uneducated woman stopped them. Even then when the people of the royal family did not listen, Amrita Devi clung to the tree. After this, the workers cut Amrita Devi. After this, 363 men and women sacrificed their lives one by one to save the trees. Later, when the king came to know about this, he ordered not to cut the trees.
“Life is cheap even if the head is bent upwards”
His saying “Sir Saathe Rukh Rahe To Bhi Sasta Jaan” means that even if the tree survives after sacrificing the head, the deal should still be considered cheap. Thinking so, Amrita Devi Vishnoi started a movement there in which 363 men and women were sacrificed by the autocratic monarchy, which is called Khadana of Khejadli.
The smoke of the fire never subsides
Even today, the Khejadli Khadana is famous in the world. A huge fair is held here. This fair gives the message of environment. Tribute is paid to the sacrifice of 363 men and women for the protection of environment. The smoke of the havan here also almost never subsides. The practice of offering coconut in fire is prevalent in the Bishnoi community. The Bishnoi community comes here with faith to pay obeisance to Amrita Devi even today.
Women of Bishnoi society laden with gold are the center of attraction
From there started the Bishnoi community who are ready and willing to sacrifice themselves for the environment and to save the living beings. The biggest attraction in this fair are the women of the Bishnoi community. They come to pay homage wearing full red attire and jewellery. During this time the women are laden with gold jewellery. Each woman is seen wearing jewellery worth up to 30-35 lakhs. Every year the pictures of women laden with gold in this fair go viral.
Belief: Many people including Amrita Devi were martyred in full glory
It is said that Amrita Devi and all the martyrs were martyred in Khejadli’s Khadana after dressing up. That is why every year people of Bishnoi community go to this fair wearing white clothes for men and women after dressing up to pay tribute.
At the same time, in the program organized today, Congress leader Sachin Pilot also said that I have never seen so many jewels in my life before.
Sachin Pilot also attended the fair
Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot also reached the closing ceremony of Khejadli fair on Friday and addressed the people present after offering prayers in the temple. Addressing the program organized on this occasion, former Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said that the Bishnoi community has an old history, there is no such example in history where 363 people sacrificed their lives to protect mute animals and the environment.
‘History of sacrifice and penance of Bishnoi society’
Pilot further said that the Bishnoi community has a history of renunciation, penance and sacrifice and there is a need to give these values to the coming generation as well. The community has achieved a unique position in every field by working hard. He also praised the women who came to the fair well-dressed.
Sachin Pilot praised the women of Bishnoi community
Sachin Pilot said that today when I was coming to the fair, I saw that women came wearing red dupattas and so many ornaments, which was really a pleasant sight. He said that some people are plotting against the society, we need to be cautious of them. If anyone plots against your society, I will always be with you.
Pilot said- focus on education and culture
Pilot appealed to the people of the society to focus on education and culture and try to inculcate values in the youth through their lifestyle. On this occasion, he also remembered former minister Ram Singh Bishnoi. Sachin Pilot said that when I took membership of Congress, I and my mother specially invited Ram Singh Bishnoi to the program.
