Saryara
The chalotra are a Hindu caste found in the Indian administered area of Jammu and Kashmir. They have been granted Rajput status.[1] According to the 2001 Census of India, their population was 13,327.[2] The Saryara's observe their annual congregation on 15 Āṣāḍha (as per Hindu calendar) in Bahu Fort at community's Devsathan, Mahatma Atma Ram Samadhi in Bahu Fort Jammu.
Origin
The Saryara caste mainly found in the Indian administered area of Jammu and Kashmir. They were traditionally follows Hindu ritual. Saryara have also been granted Caste status.[1] They are also found in other northern states of India and in Pakistan. In Pakistan Saryara's follows Muslim religion. According to the 2001 Census of India, in Jammu and Kashmir population of Saryara community was 13,327 with almost half of them are living in Bahu Fort, an old town situated along the banks of Jammu Tawi river. [2] The Saryara community observes their annual congregation on 15 Āṣāḍha (as per Hindu calendar) at community's Devsathan, Mahatma Atma Ram Samadhi situated in Bahu Fort, Jammu. Saryara community found its linkage with Raja Bahu Lochan, ruler of the Jammu dynasty of Suryavanshi kings. Bahu was eldest among 18 sons of powerful Agnigarbha II. Raja Bahu is credited with establishing the Jammu city and building beautiful fort with temple inside at Bank of Tawi River. Later, Bahu's brother Jambu Lochan founded Jammu city on another bank of river and left Bahu Fort. However, the present fort was rebuilt, probably at the same location as the ancient fort, by Autar Dev, the grandson of King Kapoor Dev in 1585. Over the years the fort underwent demolitions and reconstructions from time to time, until during Sikh Empire the then new Governor/Raja of Jammu Maharaja Gulab Singh reconstructed the present fort in the 19th century, which was further refurbished during the rule of Maharaja Ranbir Singh.
Present circumstances
The Saryara are strictly endogamous, and like other Jammu Hindus practice clan exogamy. Their main clans include the Sagotra, Dalotra, Pajgotra, Dadwal, Basotra, Pagathia, Padwal, Shabotra, Gotra, Chalotra, Patru, Nagotra, Patyal, Sawalia etc. The Saryara live in multi-caste villages, occupying their own distinct quarters. Each of their settlement contains a caste council which resolves intra community disputes and enforces community norms. The Saryara also have a statewide caste association based in the Bahu Fort locality. As community mainly prefers to live together and was famous for their unity during the bad times of each other. The Saryara were traditionally a community of honest and workaholic people and mainly involves in labour works. But with the growth of the world, this community also left their mark at modern world. Now presence of Saryara is almost all over the country and giving their services in almost every field.
About Mahatma Atma Ram Ji
By Yogesh Sagotra
The name of Jammu is associated with a cluster of magnificent temples. Jammu province has a variety of new and old sacred shrines, which attract devotees and pilgrims from far and near. While ancient temples built by Royals of Jammu speak of its ancient glorious past, on the other hand some dedicated to some pious individuals speak about the humbleness and reverence of the particular individuals within the society and one among them is situated near famous Bagh-e-Bahu in Bahu Fort Area.
At approximately six km from Jammu city in close vicinity of the highly revered Bawe-walli Mata there stands a small ancient temple dedicated to Mahhatma Atma Ram ji Sidh.
The Samadhi is sacred place for the ‘Saryara’ community and a large number of devotees drawn from community hailing from Jammu and around visit on every happy occasion within the family throughout the year. However the temples’ main festivity is witnessed in annual congregation on 15 Āṣāḍha (as per Hindu calendar) when the temple wears a festive look and is decorated aptly for the religious congregation.
On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) or pay respect to their Guru (Spiritual Guide) Mahatma Sidh Ji and seek his blessings for their welfare. Besides the Punya divas (when Guru Ji left for his heavenly abode) the devotes throng to temple on Guru Purnima which falls on the day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh (June–July) of the Shaka Samvat, Hindu calendar. On this day the devotees practice common spiritual traditions as per in Hinduism, and express gratitude towards the teacher by his/her disciple to guide him spiritually and enlighten them.
According to Ranjit Saryara one of the executive member of the committee looking after affairs of the temple, Mahatma Sidh ji was born at Old Basti Bahu Fort locality. Born to a religious minded family Sh Koli Sagotra and Smt Nanti Devi, the Sidh Ji came true to his childhood name i.e. Atma Ram. He inherited religious and kind nature besides humbleness by remaining close to his mother who was a god fearing and pious lady.
Coming events cast their shadows before and Atma Ram as the name suggests itself the child while entering to youthdom showed more inclination towards religious rituals and God. He always was seen involved in supreme being and making people aware of the supreme and was popularly known as Sidh ( a saint) within the community. However, during the passage of time he was married to Sukh Devi who also was religious minded lady.
According to legends inherited from generation to generation of the Saryara community Sidh ji even after marriage remained involved in religious practices and always was seen singing Bhajans in praise of supreme being. And it was the miracle of almighty that he got alienated from materialistic world and got spiritually enlightened. His sayings were believed to be divine and just like oracle.
Many a people who knew about Sidh ji, used to come to him with their problems. As other religious personalities Sidh Ji was never influenced by materialistic and wordily things and kept capsulated himself within the religious world.
Baba Sidh Ji continued enlightening people and his followers all through his life and attained his salvation (moksh) on 15 Assad 2026 Bikrami when he left the mortal world to join the lotus feet of All Mighty. Every year during June-July (assad) an annual mela is held here in which thousands of devotees throng the temple to commemorate the salvation of Baba Ji.
A huge market comes up at the site of the mela and shops and stalls selling food items and all sorts of wares are set up. Besides visiting the Baba Sidh Ji's temple devotees also visit the Bawe- Walli Mata temple which is just at stones throw from the said temple and seek blessing of the deity who is considered as incarnation of Goddess Durga as Mahakali and presiding deity of the Royal family of Duggar land.
Notable Persons
The community has list of notable persons
Late Amar Chand Chalotra, first municipal councilor of the community from ward no 23 (Now ward 47) from Congress.
Ram Pal Nagotra, First Member of Legislative Council and former Minister Jammu and Kashmir government (National Conference Leader)
Rita Kumari, first women corporate of community from Ward no 47 Bahu Fort (Congress) (from 2005-2010)
Sharda Kumari, Corporate ward 47 Bahu Fort (BJP) (2018-present)
Tripta Devi, Corporator ward 66 Paloura Jammu (BJP) (2018-Present)
Darmesh Nagotra (Ghazal Singer)
Yogesh Sagotra, Journalist
Anya Chalotra, Actress
Dalip Kumar Nagotra, first HPFAS Officer.
References
- People of India Jammu and Kashmir Volume XXV edited by K.N Pandita, S.D.S Charak and B.R Rizvi pages 690 to 696 Manohar
- http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/SCCRC_24.pdf