History
Following the tradition of “Guru Shishya”, the existence of traditional “Guru Gaadi” dates back to the ancient times of Mahatma Devidas. Thereafter, in Vikram Samvat 1695, Viraa Raja was appointed as “Mahant” by his guru “Dhanji Raja”and since then “Guru Gaadi” tradition has descended sequentially. Mahatma Viraa Raja was not only highly intellectual but also was a person with holy ideology. Gradually, with blessings from and strong devotion towards Mataji, he achieved “eternal holiness” and consequently he achieved all “eight siddhis” (“Ashta Siddhi”) like a Yognishth Saint. He attracted devotees of Mataji towards him by his divine power of holiness and worship towards Mataji. Thereafter, royal family and Rajput Samaj of Kutch started offering donations to the Bhandar of Mataji, which with the passage of time resulted in Jaagir of Mataji. Thus, the famous Jaagir of Mata na Madh is believed to have been built by Veera Raja.
During the time of Viraa Raja, there was fair population of “Kaapdis”, who were strong devotees of Mataji. There was a tradition of selecting the most devoted disciple for being seated on the Gaadi as the “Mahant of the Jaagir”. The same tradition is being followed since then. The disciple is made to sit on the Gaadi of Viraa Raja with rituals being performed by scholarly Brahmin. He is then publicly declared as “Mahant”. He is then offered a special turban (“pagdi”) and costume by the head of the royal family of Kutch.
Usually this gaadi is placed on specially made wooden seat and is regularly worshipped with Dhup and Divas. On the auspicious day of Aso Sud Saatam and Chaitra Sud Saatam, the Mahant performs the ritual of Yagna while being seated on the gaadi. During any other time except this Yagna ritual, whenever the head of the royal family of Kutch visits the Mahant, the Mahant of the Jaagir sits on the gaadi after placing it on the specially made wooden seat; while the Maharao of Kutch sits on the floor. This tradition is still being followed.
Even today the gaadi and the special turban worn by Mahant Shri have been preserved carefully. People worship this gaadi of Viraa Raja by considering it to be sacred and miraculous.