Puneet Varma (Editor)

Eloji

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Eloji


Eloji is a Gram-devta, folk deity or a “god of village”. Statues of the Eloji can be found almost in every village of the Western Rajasthan. He is shown as a strong man with moustaches exhibiting his long penis in any chowk [esquire], or center of a Dhani sitting comfortably with a pride on his face. Many songs are sung on Holydays by groups of villagers ( known as Gair), while playing a folk music instrument similar to a drum, in the praise of sexual power of Eloji.

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Ritual

Men beg him for sexual powers and females worship him to be gifted with a male child. On the Day of Holi when all men are singing Holi songs known as Phag which are songs describing their sexual accomplishments the married women pay a visit to Eloji in groups of friends, bow to him, touch his elongated phallus with awe and cut jokes, they laugh and tease each other. It is a joyful ritual.

The newly wed couples pay their homage to Eloji. The bride gives a hug to Eloji as He has first right over every woman. He is the best man for every bride.

It is also a way of respecting the sexual power that governs the whole cosmos.

Indian customs, traditions and festivals are based on human psyche. The three main festivals of India Holi, Diwali and Basant panchmi are based on three ego levels in a person: Id, ego, and super-ego. In rural India especially in Western Rajasthan high light the importance of sex in marriages, procreation which are embodied in the worship of the local deity – Eloji.

Its place within Indian tradition

Holi is a festival of abandonment and acknowledgement of our animal instinct. In Indian society, sex is normally taboo; pubilc expression of love or sexual desire is condemned. Yet, there exist traditions such as Khajuraho and Tantra, which establish sex as tool for self-realization in a person's spiritual journey.

References

Eloji Wikipedia