JALARAM BAPA

          Bhakta's full name was Jalaram Pradhan Thakkar. He was born in the town of Virpur near Rajkot, Gujarat state of India
           
          His mother was Rajbai Thakkar who was very religious and was told by saint Raghuvirdasji, that her second son Jalaram would be a famous advocate of duty and become a preacher of love and peace. Jalaram got his early education from his mother. From her he learnt respect, patience, self respect, duty, and grace. when he was very young he was divinely inspired and  constantly chanted 'sita ram' and wanted to devote his life to God.

          Bhagat Jalaram got married when he was only sixteen to Virbai. Virbai was hte daughter of Thkar Pragji Somaiya. Although Jalaram was reluctant, Virbai proved to be an asset to Jalaram in his work. Virbai always helped Jalaram and supported and encouraged him. Without Virbai's support Jalaram would have found many difficulties in his path.

          In the begining Jalaram worked with his father in the business, then he joined his uncle's business but was criticized by both for his extreme generosity  to sadhus and to the poor. He desired to devote himself to God without the ties of the family. Therefore he set out on a pilgrimage with his wife.

          At the age of eighteen Jalaram along with his guru had started 'Sadavrat' a place where all people, sadhus and poor could go for food anytime and nobody was let out without food. Later Jalaram and his wife worked in fields to grow their own grain.

          Jalaram bapa and Virbai then opened a charity house and used the grain to provide food for passing pilgrims. At times when the grain ran out Virbai was willingly ready to give away her jewellery which she had received at the time of her marriage.

          It is said that once Lord Rama dressed as an old man in the guise of a sadhu came before Jalaram bapa. Jalaram invited him in for a meal. The old man complained that he was old and infirm and he needed someone to look after him. Jalaram sent his wife along the old man. She went willingly. the pair of travellers eventually came near a river. The old man gave Virbai his stick and a bag to hold. He then disappeared. At the same time a voice came to Jalarambapa at his home, saying that it was Lord Rama himself who had came to see if he was as good as the people said. He had proved he was sincere and could now fetch his wife. The stick and the bag are still on display at Jalaram bapa ashram in
Virpur.

          People believe that food given by Jalaram bapa to the sadhus and other pilgrims will reach the doors of heaven. For that reason even today the Jalaram bapa ashram in Virpur continues to deed thousands of pilgrims at a time and the kitchen never runs out of food, no matter how many people are there. Not only the ashram of Virpur but all the temples of Jalaram bapa are blessed by Himself that thousands of people take their food in these temples.

          Jalaram bapa's life he devoted to the charity and duty towards human being and praying.