Joban Pagi
The Joban Pagi was a dacoit of Gujarat who looted the treasury of the Rajas and Maharajas of the native Princely States. Joban Pagi had also looted the Treasury of Baroda State, the largest princely state of Gujarat. Pagi was born in a Koli Pagi family of Vadtal village in Gujarat. Later Pagi became a devotee of Swaminarayan and built a big temple of Swaminarayan in Vadtal.[1]
Joban Pagi Devotee of Swaminarayan | |
|---|---|
જોબન પગી | |
 Swaminarayan Mandir of Vadtal built by Joban Pagi | |
| Born | Joban Pagi |
| Died | Vadtal, Baroda State, British India |
| Cause of death | Hunger |
| Other names | Joban Vadtalo |
| Occupations | |
| Era | British era |
| Criminal charges |
|
| Criminal status | Pardoned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of Baroda State |
Phool Dol festival
In Gujarat, the Phooldol festival of Swaminarayan is made which was first celebrated at the behest of Joban Pagi. After becoming the devotee of Swaminarayan, Pagi requested Swaminarayan to celebrate the festival, since then that festival is known as Phool Dol.[2]
History
Jaban Pagi had tried many times to steal Swaminarayan's mare named Manaki during the dacoit life, but failed every time, due to which the dacoit Joban Pagi became Swaminarayan's devotee and retired from the dacoit life.[3]
There is also a legend that Swaminarayan was on a tour of Vadtal village and he rested near the Gomti lake when there was a crowd of devotees. There were mango trees near the lake, in which juicy mangoes were planted, so the devotees expressed their desire to eat mangoes, only then Joban Pagi said, if the lord permit me, then I should shoot the mangoes down with the gun. In this, Swaminarayan saw arrogance in Pagi's words and ordered Pagi, if you can do so, of course, put the mangoes down, but not a single mango was targeted on Pagi, after which Swaminarayan asked all the devotees to give up arrogance. And ordered to live peacefully and Pagi did the same.[4]
See also
References
- Changela, Hitesh; Sansthan, Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot. The Supreme Godhead Bhagawan Swaminarayan: Bhagawan Swaminarayan Jivan Darshan. New Delhi, India: Rajkot Gurukul. pp. Joban Pagi was Koli by caste and was backed by his three brothers and hundreds of goons. He robbed not only in Gujarat but also in the borders of other states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. ISBN 978-1-5239-0900-1.
- "Festival Of Fuldol In Vadtal - Kalupur Mandir". www.swaminarayan.info. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
- Dave, Ramesh M. (1978). Sahajanand Charitra. New Delhi, India, Asia: Bochasanvasi Shri Aksharpurushottam Sanstha. p. 83.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - Sansthan, Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot (2020-04-07). Inspirations 108 Satsang Stories (in Gujarati). New Delhi, India, Asia: Rajkot Gurukul. ISBN 978-93-84051-12-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)