About Gugga Navami

About Gugga Navami

Gugga Navami, also called Goga Navami, honours Goga Ji, a folk hero and protector who is loved across Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu. It falls on the ninth day of the dark half of Bhadon, the day after Janmashtami.

Goga Ji is remembered as a brave Chauhan prince who became a saint. He is prayed to for protection from snakes and for the health of children and cattle. People of many faiths honour him, and he is also known as Goga Pir and Jaharveer.

In the days before the festival, devotees carry the chhari, a tall bamboo pole dressed with peacock feathers, coloured cloth and threads, from house to house with songs and drums. On the day, families offer sevian, sweet roti and milk at the Gugga Mari shrines and pray for the safety of their homes.

The biggest fair is held at Goga Medi in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, where lakhs of devotees gather. Fairs are also held in many villages of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal.