Jalaram Bapa Mandir is a famous temple in Virpur, Gujarat. This place is famous for being the birthplace of Sri Jalaram Bapa, a highly revered monk. The Jalaram Bapa Mandir timings are from 7 AM to 8:30 PM.
Jalaram Bapa Mandir
Jalaram Bapa Temple had built in 1978 on the Dharmaj-Tarapur highway. The sacred Sri Jalaram Bapa Mandir houses the complex of the original house where this great saint lived during his lifetime.
Many objects are associated with Jalaram Bapa, the most important of which are the deities of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Many events took place in the life of this saint in Virpur, and people from all over came to visit this holy place.
Significance
It is the first temple in the world that does not accept money. Jalaram Bapa adopted his daughter, Jamnaben’s granddaughter Harirambahi, as his direct heir. Giridhar Bapa and his son Jaisukhram Bapa are now in charge of this famous shrine in Gujarat.
The ‘Samadhi’ of Sri Jalaram Bapa is at the feet of Lord Sri Ramachandra. It had entered on the left of the Big Gate of ‘Dela’.
The “Joli-danda” had properly been preserved in a transparent cupboard, and an idol of Sri Hanuman had also been kept near the ‘samadhi’. The temple has two trusts that function daily.
The ‘Jalaram Satsang Seva Mandal’ is liable for looking after all aspects of the temple, like the management of the shrine, guest house and gaushala.
On the other hand, ‘Sri Jalaram Janaseva Trust’ provides education, health care, rehabilitation and water plant services.
Shri Dr Rasikbhai V. Patel is the president of both trusts. The temple houses three large copper vessels filled with the holy waters of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, given by Goddess Ganga.
The water from these pots never parches up, and there is no instance of a person falling ill from drinking this water. In addition, King Drangdhra presented Sri Jalaram Bapa with a pair of large wheels for grinding wheat in the temple.
History of Jalaram Bapa Mandir
‘Jalaram Pradhan Thakkar’ or Jalaram Bapa was born on 14 November 1799 at Virpur near Rajkot in Gujarat to his father, Pradhan Thakkar and mother, Rajbai Thakkar.
His mother was very fond of sadhus and sadhus, and no sadhu could leave Virpur without receiving Rajbai’s hospitality.
Bapa’s mother, Rajbai Thakkar, was told by hermit Raghuveeradasji that her son would become a prominent figure preaching the importance of duty, piety and good deeds.
Being a very religious woman, Bapa learned respect, patience, self-sacrifice, duty and kindness from her mother. When Bapa was a child, a visit to a saint was traced back to his previous birth, and little Jalaram was spiritually inspired and started reciting the rhymes of ‘Sita Ram’ and dedicated his life to God.
Bapa’s Marriage
At sixteen, Jalaram married Virbhai, daughter of Thakkar Pragji Somaija. Although he was reluctant, his wife offered her support in his work for the poor. At eighteen, he set out on a holy pilgrimage with his wife and received Bhojalarama.
Bapa Guru started ‘Sadavrat’, which provides free food to every poor person. Both of them worked hard to grow grains in the field, and one day when the stock for grains ran out, Veerbhai was happy to sell her wedding jewellery to feed the pilgrims.
Haraji was a tailor suffering from severe stomach pain and eventually came to Bapaiya for healing. The great saint prayed and healed his disease. The tailor was surprised, fell at Bapa’s feet, and addressed him as ‘Bapa’.
That’s when people started calling him Jalaram Bapa. Devotees, irrespective of religion, became his disciples. Rama appeared to Jalaram Bapa in the guise of an older man. He complained about his age and wanted someone to look after him.
Bapa sent his wife, who happily accompanied the older man on his journey. The two travellers come to a river, and the older man gives Virbhai a stick and a bag to catch.
Soon, Rama disappears, and a voice is heard returning home saying that Jalaram wants to test his goodness so he can bring his wife. This stick and bag are still visible in Jalarambapa Ashram in Virpur.
Devotees believe that the food given by Baba to pilgrims will reach the gate of heaven. In fact, to this day, thousands of visitors are served free food at this temple, and it never runs out of stock.
Festivals
Festivals were held in grand style at Jalaram Bapa Mandir in Virpur.
Jalaram Jayanti:
The most important festival had celebrated in this temple. Pilgrims enjoy this festival on Shukla Paksha, the 7th day of the Hindu month of Kartika. This festival had celebrated here on the 7th day after Diwali. A huge fair had organized on this occasion.
Makar Sankranti:
Another huge festival had celebrated in this temple on 14 January every year. Pilgrims visit this temple yearly to commemorate the death anniversary of Sri Jalaram Bapa, who died on 23 February 1881.
Some other festivals like Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Janmashtami, Diwali and Maha Shivratri are celebrated here with great pomp and enthusiasm.
Jalaram Bapa Mandir Timings
Here are Jalaram Bapa Mandir timings:
| Jalaram Bapa Mandir Timings | From | To |
| Morning Darshan | 7:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Temple Closing Noon | 12:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Evening Darshan | 4:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
| Temple Closing Night | 8:30 PM | 7:00 AM |
Nearby Temples
Apart from the well-known Jalaram Bapa Mandir, there are a few religious places in Virpur that tourists visit. These include:
Virpara Nath Mandir
Every tourist who visits Jalaram Baba will visit this shrine as well. Saints sing hymns in the evening on the temple premises.
Jalaram Bapa Samadhi
it is a holy place of worship as devotees come here to pay homage to Jalaram Bapa. After Bapa’s death, he had buried here.
Jetha Bapa Samadhi
It is another famous shrine near Jalaram Bapa Mandir. Many pilgrims visit the Samadhi and seek blessings from Jeta Bapa.
Virbhai Ma Mandir at Triveni Sangam
It is a temple dedicated to Virbhai and celebrates the commitment and sacrifices made by Virbhai.
Khodiar Mandir in Mavatar Old Age Shram
This temple in Mavatar Old Age Shram is famous and considered sacred among the locals. Gala Vada Hanuman- It is devoted to Lord Hanuman and worships his strength and commitment to Lord Rama
How to reach Jalaram Bapa Mandir?
By Air
Rajkot is the nearest airport which connects Virpur with all major cities of India. Several direct flights are available, and pilgrims can take an auto-rickshaw from the airport to reach the famous shrine.
By Rail
Rajkot Junction had well connected with various towns of Gujarat and cities of India.
It is about 6 km from Thein Batti Triple Gateway and is a junction on the Ahmedabad-Hapa broad gauge line of the Western Railway. Several express trains are available from this station.
By Road
It has a good transport system with all the neighbouring states. There are so many state buses from Rajkot to various parts of Gujarat. ST bus stop is 2 km west of Biddy Gate on the other side of Ranmal Lake.
Address
GJ SH 8, Dharmaj, Gujarat; Phone, +91 2697 244 283
Click here for the official Website of Jalaram Bapa Mandir.