Shree Vani Dadu Mandir

Overview

The Vani Dadu Mandir is situated at Naraina, in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan State, India.

About the Temple

The temple belongs to the Dadu sect of people who consider their deity to be formless, untaintes and joyous (Sat-Chit-Anand). The founder of Dadu philosophy of religious worship is Shri Dadu Dayal Maharaj, who is believed to be an incarnation of Sri Sanat Kumar (Sanat kumar is regarded as the son born out of Lord Brahma’s mind). Sri Dadu Dayal Maharaj was born at Ahmedabad, Gujrat in 1544 A.D. At the age of eleven, Dadu Maharaj happened to meet an elderly sage named Vriddhanand, who is regarded as the God himself by the followers of Dadu sect. Dadu Dayal then received divine messages from his guru Vridhanandha, thereby becoming a saint himself and left his family. He later moved to Rajasthan and worshipped Niranjana Parabrahma (the in tainted Absolute Brahma).

Sri Dadu Maharaj is credited to have established the Brahma Sampradaya at a place called Sambar in Rajasthan. This philosophy later got renamed as Parabrahma Sampradaya and Dadu Panth. The saint had travelled to several other places including Kashi, Delhi and Bengal propagating the Bhrama sampradhaya. He also met the Mughal emperor Akbar at Amer around 1586 A.D.

The Dadu language is believed to be a mixture of Sindhi, Gujrati and Marwadi. Dadu Maharaj ji's philosophies are recorded in a book named "Anabhai Vani", which is a collection of his religious verses and padas. There is also a second book on him called "Kayabeli". Dadu's sermons appeals to every commoner and hence has a everlasting impression in the minds of his followers . The saint is believed to have had 152 direct disciples, of which 52 are said to be the pillars of Dadu Panth.

Saint Dadu spent his last stages of life at a place called Naraina near Sambhar, where he breathed last in 1603 A.D. This place later became the Dadu Dwara (Dadu temple) which was built in his memory. The temple enshrines his hair, Tumba (Gourd used as water container), attire and Khadau (Sandals) as a mark of respect to the saint. This temple at Naraina is also known as Guru Dham (abode of guru) and stands as the principal seat of the Dadu Acharya. Presently it also functions as a centre of worship and religious discourses.

The Dadu temple at Naraina is a palatial edifice which has a twelve doored hall where the articles of Dadu ji are displayed. The temple also houses a Jait Sahab, Chowk for horses, Khejaraji Dham, few entombments and canopies.

Rare Fact

The idol of Lord Ganesha here is enchanting. There are lattices in the temple that are carved in marble. A Chowk is organised near this temple on all Wednesdays.

Festivals

On the birth anniversaries of great Saints, several special programmes are organised such as religious sermons and discourses where a number of saints and followers participate.

Custom & Traditions of Temple

Worship rituals for the deity is performed in accordance to the Gauriya Vaishnava tradition. Since the temple also stands as the principal seat of Dadu Acharya, traditional norms of the Dadu Sampradaya are strictly adhered here. According to this tradition, a Acharya is succeeded by his principal disciple. There are two kinds of Sadhus in Dadu sect namely Nihang and Householders.

How To Reach Shree Vani Dadu Mandir

By Air

Nearest airport is Sanganer Jaipur airport.

By Rail

Nearest railway station is Gandhi Nagar,Jaipur railway station.

By Road

Nearest Bus stop is Ganpati nagar bus stop.

Temple Address