Most of the Rajput are Hindu; the only exceptions being the Ranghar Roghar of Uttar Pradesh who are Muslims and Kinnaura of Himachal Pradesh who are Buddhists. Two clans practice tribal religion, the Puran-Bhanja of Orissa and West Bengal. These non-Hindu communities are not always recognized as Rajput by the others.
Each clan has its specific clan deities which are worshipped daily every morning for good luck and protection against danger. The Rajput worship Shiva’s wife Shakti (power) as their chief goddess who has many other names such as the benign Amba (mother) or fierce destroyer Kali. Although they celebrate most Hindu festivals like Diwali (festival of lights) and Holi (festival of colours), it is the festival of Dusshera which occupies pride of place. On this day they sacrifice goats or fowl at the altar of Shakti and implore her blessings. Feasting takes place after the temple rituals are over.
There are many shrines dedicated to women who have immolated themselves by jumping into their dead husband’s funeral pyre. These women are deified as Sati and women especially pray at these temples. This practice is still highly regarded by the Rajput although it was officially banned by the British in 1827. The last such recorded incidence was as late as 1987 when an 18-year-old Rajput widow threw herself on her husband’s pyre in Deorala village of Rajasthan.
The Rajput conduct pilgrimages to various holy places as Haridwar, Varanasi and Gangotri in Uttar Pradesh. To immerse the ashes of the dead in the holy Ganges River at Haridwar is considered a religious duty by the sons of the deceased.
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