Lodha

Who are Lodha

Lodhas are member of a caste called Oswal, its a social group of people from the Indian States of Rajasthan, Gujarat (Halar and Kutch regions) and Punjab. Oswals are mainly Jain following the Svetambara tradition, but a few are Digambar Jains and a few are Hindu Vaishnavites.

History of Lodha

Lakhansingh Deora Chauhan, the king of Nadole Kingdom, was the uncle of first Prithviraj Chauhan. Lakhansingh had no son so he was worried. Acharya Shri Raviprabh Suri did his chaturmas in VS 700 at Nadole. One day on the advice of his minister Lakhansingh went to see the Acharya and told him his trouble.

Acharya said, “If you leave violence and be a Jain by heart then I can bless you.” The king agreed, so the Acharya blessed him. When the queen was pregnant, he thought that a man can not get a child by blessing only, it was luck that he was going to be a father of a son in his old age, and so on. He continued doing violence, hunting and forgot the oaths taken. The minister reminded him but he did not care.

After 9 months the queen gave a birth to a ball of flesh in the shape of a Lodh. Then Lakhansingh realised his mistake, but it was too late. His minister advised him to go search for the Acharya. Only the Acharya could tell him the remedy. Lakhansingh found the Acharya near Barnagar (Bhadana) in a forest. He was meditating under a banyan tree. The king apologized, requested for the remedy and wept bitterly. He regretted his blunder. At last the Acharya decided to help him, so he called Barmata (a goddess) and asked her to do the king a favour.

Barmata ordered Lakhansingh to put the ball of flesh in the shape of a Lodh in red cloth and put that in the hole of the banyan tree. She gave some water, and ordered him to pour it on the ball of flesh. A miracle happened and the fleshball turned into a beautiful child. From that day all successors are called Lodha. From that day all Lodha's worship Barmata which is Kul Devi of all Lodhas.

Instructions to Lodha

Never believe in violence and follow Jainism by heart.

Never use black cloth or have black shoes, and leather items.

On birth of a son, and on Surya [Sun] Puja [worship] day child should wear a silver coin [Phool] in MOILI of Bheruji in his neck, and should wear golden/silver rings [KUDKA] in both ears and has to wear Copper KADA in both legs to be remain there for at least 30 days and his mother should keep some money in her pillow up to 30 days or up to cleaning her head then donate those Copper Kada to child's sister or aunt and after that whenever they have time mother/father should go to Badmata temple with the baby to get blessings.

Build a temple in house, and keep an idol or photo of Bad Mata in the house for daily worship.

Celebrate Mundan sanskar before Goddess in the temple.

On the marriage of the son, bride and bridegroom must come for the blessing

All newly born baby boys must wear white clothes till the time they have Mundans (Shaving of hairs).

His every son must worship and have faith, then she would help them in the trouble.

They should worship her by Lapsi of gur(dessert), coconut and prashad. Category:community

Only holy people should be allowed to enter the temple.

Ladies must not use mehandi(henna) during Navratra days.

Do not misuse any leaf or stick of the banyan tree.

What ever given to the mother of newly born baby must first be offered to Badmata.

Before marriage, first invite Barmata.

Only the priest or unmarried girls can eat the prashad of Puja plate.

Ladies must not do any sewing work in Navratri days.

The Deepak will be of pure ghee only and not of oil.

Do not purchase Junjuna, Palna, or Chakla of any material.

During menses period ladies should not enter into Badmata temple.

During Navratri do not use soap and do not cut Hairs and do not shave on all nine days

During Chaitra Navratri all Lodha Keeps fast for nine days in worship of Bar Mata ji every year

During Asadh Navratri all Lodha keeps fast for ten days in worship of Bar Mata every year