Life Journey of Pujya Shri Jalaram Bapa
Born in the first month of the year, Kartik Sud 7, Vikram Samvat 1856, on Monday, 4th November 1799, in Virpur (Saurashtra, Gujarat), Jalaram Bapa belonged to the Lohana community. His parents were Shri Pradhan Thakker and Pujya Raj Bai Maa.
At the age of ten, in Samvat 1866, he joined his uncle Valjibhai, who owned a shop in the village. At fourteen, in Samvat 1870, he donned the "Janoi," a sacred thread of "Sanskar" as per Hindu tradition. Two years later, in Samvat 1872, he married Veerbai, the daughter of Shri Pragji Somaiya, marking the beginning of a significant phase in his life.
In Samvat 1874, Jalaram Bapa and his wife embarked on a pilgrimage to 'Chardham.' On Monday, 18th November 1820, in the fourth month (Maha) of Vikram Samvat 1876, he established "Sadavrat – Anna Kshetra," a food distribution center in Virpur, earning him the affectionate title "JALIYA" or "Jalaram Bapa." People from various backgrounds revered him deeply. From Samvat 1878, people from different faiths began calling him "Jalla tu Allah," meaning "Jalaram, you are God," and many came to seek his darshan with devotion.
In Samvat 1886, Jalaram Bapa's sincerity was tested by God in the guise of a monk who asked for his wife, Veerbai Maa, to serve mankind. Without hesitation, Jalaram Bapa offered his wife, proving his devotion. The monk, satisfied with the test, returned his wife and gifted him the "Akshay zholi" and "Dharma Dhoka," a perpetual bag and a support stick, before vanishing.
In Samvat 1901, at the court of Maharaja Shri Ranmalji of Jamnagar, Jalaram Bapa performed a miracle during a cloth donation (Vastra Dan). Despite the large number of people, the cloths never ran out, demonstrating his divine powers. Many such miracles, known as Parchas, were attributed to him. In Vikram Samvat 1904, he performed another miracle by ensuring the grain vessels of Shri Jivraj Wadalia of Galol never emptied, simply by touching them with his stick. This act further cemented his revered status.
On the 9th day of Kartik in Vikram Samvat 1935, which corresponds to 18th November 1878, his wife, Pujya Veerbai Maa, passed away. On the 25th day of the fourth month Maha, in Vikram Samvat 1937 (Wednesday, 23rd February 1881), at the age of 81, while giving food alms and singing bhajans, Jalaram Bapa concluded his earthly journey and attained a permanent place in the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu.