Baba Ramdevji: The legacy of the folk deity of Rajasthan

Baba Ramdevji, a revered folk deity in Rajasthan and western India, is celebrated for his role as a symbol of social harmony and faith. Known as Ramdevji to Hindus and Ramsa Peer or Ramapir to Muslims, his legacy attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees from India and Pakistan to his Samadhi in Runicha (Ramdevra).

According to tradition, Baba Ramdevji was a 14th-century king of Pokhran and the son of King Ajmalji and Queen Mainade (or Minaldevi). He is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna, a blessing granted to his parents following their devotion. His teachings emphasized equality and the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden.

Followers celebrate his birth anniversary, Baba Ramdev Jayanti, with grand fairs and pilgrimages. While specific dates for the 2026 celebrations vary across accounts, the event remains a significant cultural and religious milestone for Hindus, Muslims, Jains, and Sikhs.