Goga Navami Celebrated with Devotion in Bahadpur, Devotees Worship Serpent Deity

Goga Navami Celebrated with Devotion in Bahadpur

Bahadpur, located near Saifai, vibrantly celebrated Goga Navami on Saturday, September 6, 2026, at the Gogaji temple. The festivities commenced with morning हवन-pujan (fire rituals and prayers) and continued late into the night, drawing enthusiastic participation from local devotees. Women joyfully sang bhajans (devotional songs) dedicated to Jaharveer Gogaji Maharaj, marking his birthday with great fervor.

Significance of Goga Navami

Goga Navami is celebrated as the birthday of Jaharveer Gogaji Maharaj, a revered folk deity from Rajasthan. Widely believed to be the deity of serpents, his worship is said to ward off the fear of snakebites. Consequently, the festival includes special prayers to the Nagdevta (serpent deity) and Baambi (snake burrows).

Devotees take soil from the worship site home, praying for protection from snake-related fears. This festival is observed with deep devotion not only in Rajasthan but also in states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, connecting both Hindu and Muslim communities through shared faith and traditions.

Religious Rituals and Beliefs

In Bahadpur, devotees performed puja (worship) with traditional rites on Goga Navami. They offered roli (vermilion), rice, flowers, and Ganga water to clay idols of Gogaji and depictions of him riding a blue horse. Offerings of kheer (rice pudding), churma (sweetened crumbled flatbread), and gulgule (sweet fritters) were made.

Notably, chana dal (split chickpeas) were offered to the blue horse. Devotees listened to the legend of Gogaji and prayed for the well-being of their families and the continued blessings of the serpent deity. According to religious beliefs, Gogaji was born due to the blessings of Guru Gorakhnath.

Local Participation and Community Spirit

The Goga Navami celebrations in Bahadpur saw significant participation from local devotees, including journalists Sughar Singh and VP Singh Yadav, along with Nitul Pratap Yadav, Surendra Yadav, and Pinku Yadav, who visited the Jaharveer temple to offer prayers. The festival united the local community, reinforcing traditional religious beliefs and fostering a sense of shared celebration.