Quick answer: Jalaram Jayanti 2026 falls on Monday 16 November 2026 in India, per Drik Panchang. It marks the birth anniversary of Sant Jalaram Bapa of Virpur in Gujarat, the saint known for feeding everyone who came to his door. Devotees visit Jalaram mandirs, sing bhajans and serve free food in his memory.

This guide has been restored at its original hindutone.com address. The date below is from Drik Panchang for New Delhi. Outside India the date can differ by a day, so check Drik Panchang for your own city.

Jalaram Jayanti 2026 date

Detail (India)2026
Jalaram Bapa JayantiMonday 16 November 2026 (Drik)
TithiKartika Shukla Saptami
Day beforeSkanda Sashti and Chhath Puja, Sunday 15 November 2026 (Drik)
Next dayGopashtami, Tuesday 17 November 2026 (Drik)

Source: Drik Panchang, New Delhi. We do not list muhurat clock times. Jalaram mandirs announce their own programme times.

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Who was Jalaram Bapa?

Jalaram Bapa is one of the most loved saints of Gujarat. He is widely said to have been born in 1799 in Virpur, a small town in the Saurashtra region, near Rajkot. His family were traders of the Lohana community. From a young age, he was drawn to prayer and to serving holy men and the poor, more than to the family business.

He is said to have accepted Bhoj Bhagat of Fatehpur as his guru. With his guru's blessing, he devoted his life to the chanting of Lord Rama's name and to serving people. His wife, Virbai, shared his life of service and is honoured by devotees as Virbai Ma. Jalaram Bapa is widely said to have passed away in 1881.

The sadavrat: food for everyone

Jalaram Bapa is best known for his sadavrat, a kitchen that offered free food to anyone who came, without asking about caste, religion or wealth. As commonly told, he started it while still young, with very little. He and Virbai worked in the fields and used what they earned to feed sadhus, pilgrims and the hungry. The kitchen at Virpur has continued this tradition ever since.

Devotees believe that 'Jya tukdo, tya Hari dhukdo' is the heart of his message. This Gujarati saying is widely linked with him. It means, roughly, 'Where a piece of bread is given, God is near'.

A story from his life, as commonly told

As commonly told, one day an old sadhu came to Jalaram Bapa and asked him to give his wife, Virbai, to serve him. Jalaram Bapa consulted Virbai, and she agreed to go. After walking some distance, the sadhu asked Virbai to wait while he went away. He then disappeared, leaving behind a staff (danda) and a cloth bag (jholi). Devotees believe the sadhu was God, who had come to test the couple's devotion. The staff and bag are said to be kept at Virpur. Like many saints' stories, details vary between tellings.

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The Virpur temple and its no-donation practice

Virpur is the main place of pilgrimage for Jalaram devotees. The shrine there is built around his home and the place of his sadavrat. Devotees come to pray and to receive a free meal as prasad.

The Virpur temple is widely reported to have stopped accepting donations from devotees around the year 2000. It is one of the very few major Hindu shrines in India known for this. Free meals continue to be served. If you plan to visit, check the temple's official website or other reliable local sources for current timings.

How devotees celebrate Jalaram Jayanti 2026

  • Temple visits: Devotees visit Jalaram mandirs for darshan, aarti and special worship.
  • Bhajans and readings: Groups sing bhajans and recite the Jalaram Bavani, a popular devotional hymn about him.
  • Annadaan (food service): Serving free food is the heart of the day. Many temples and families cook and share khichdi, rotla, vegetables and sweets.
  • Processions: Many towns in Gujarat hold shobha yatras (processions) with his image.
  • Home puja: Families light a lamp before his picture, offer simple food and sing his name.
  • Fasting: Some devotees fast or eat one simple meal. Anyone who is pregnant, unwell, diabetic or on regular medicine should speak to a doctor before fasting.

Jalaram mandirs in the Gujarati diaspora

Gujarati families, including many from the Lohana community, took their devotion to Jalaram Bapa with them when they settled in East Africa and later in the United Kingdom and other countries. Today there are Jalaram mandirs in several UK cities with large Gujarati communities, and in East African cities such as Nairobi. There are also Jalaram shrines and mandirs in North America, Australia and elsewhere. Many hold bhajans and a community meal on Jalaram Jayanti, often on the nearest weekend.

To find a programme near you, check the website or notice board of your local Jalaram mandir or Hindu temple. Programme details vary from place to place, so please confirm before you go.

Ways to observe Jalaram Jayanti abroad

  • Check your local date: Use Drik Panchang for your city, or follow your local mandir. Do not convert India's times.
  • Feed someone: Cook a simple meal for a neighbour, donate to a food bank or volunteer at a community kitchen. This is the most fitting way to honour him.
  • Sing his name: Play or sing a Jalaram bhajan with your family.
  • Teach children: Tell them how Jalaram Bapa and Virbai shared their food with everyone.

Frequently asked questions

When is Jalaram Jayanti 2026?

Jalaram Jayanti 2026 is on Monday 16 November 2026 in India, per Drik Panchang for New Delhi. It falls on Kartika Shukla Saptami.

Who was Jalaram Bapa?

Jalaram Bapa was a saint of Virpur in Saurashtra, Gujarat, and a devotee of Lord Rama. He is widely said to have lived from 1799 to 1881. He is remembered for his sadavrat, a kitchen that gave free food to anyone who came.

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Is it true that the Virpur temple does not accept donations?

Yes, as widely reported. The Jalaram temple at Virpur is well known for not accepting donations from devotees since around the year 2000. Free meals are still served to visitors.

How is Jalaram Jayanti celebrated?

Devotees visit Jalaram mandirs, sing bhajans, recite the Jalaram Bavani, hold processions and, above all, serve free food. Many families cook khichdi, rotla and sweets to share.

Why do devotees fast on Thursdays for Jalaram Bapa?

Thursday is widely kept as Jalaram Bapa's day. Many devotees fast or eat one simple meal on Thursdays and visit a Jalaram mandir. This is a devotional custom, and it varies from family to family.

Is the date the same outside India?

Not always. The date abroad can differ by a day from India. Check Drik Panchang for your city or follow your local Jalaram mandir.

Editor's note

Editor's note (6 October 2026): This guide has been restored at its original address after the earlier version was lost. The Jalaram Jayanti date is from Drik Panchang for New Delhi. The years of his life and the Virpur temple's no-donation practice are given as widely reported. Stories are given as commonly told. We have not listed temple timings, events or venues. Readers outside India should check Drik Panchang for their city.