Jangam..the shambhu baba.

Jangam or Shambhu baba is an exclusive character of our Indian society.Born out of our religious devoutness ,their subsistence is a hallmark of Shiva.They have existed since times immemorial and they vouch to do so till the human race endure. Jangam is accredited  as the Brahman of lord shiva.

Peerless canvassers of Shiva walk on foot door to door singing Lord’s splendours.The 108 stories of Parvati’s birth and the Shiv- Parvati vivaah katha are the main songs which they recite.

Since the time of their birth they have cut fine and strictly traditional way of dressing.Their origin is preternatural .According to a religious fable Jangam was  born from the blood droplets from the thigh of Lord Shiva.Among the Jangam sect it has been taken as a gospel that Gaura(Parvati) wanted to make donations after her wedding with Lord Shiva  but none could be considered for the purpose. Therefore, Shiva kerfed his thigh and from the droplets of the blood that flowed the Jangam was born. He was anointed  by Vishnu by giving  his crest(kalgi of a peacock feather), Parvati lavished upon  him two parts of her jewellery pieces .A set of  earrings(kundal) and her coronation(mang tika). Shiva awarded the Jangam his most adored snake(sheesh Naag) and his lingam which the Jangam wears on his head. Brahma joined the act of ordaining the Jangam by passing his janeu(the sacred thread is worn  across body) and his voice to sing the shiv Parvati wedding story. The paramour ride of Shiva , the Nandi bail also made his contribution by giving his bell(talli) that swings on his neck to the Jangam.

 Jangam accepts donation only in their talli. Likewise, another rule which they follow is that they do not sing the laurels of Parvati and Shiva after the  sun sets.

A son from each family of jangams is tabbed to take forward  the tradition. After being identified by the family. The preferential son is sent off to a guru.Here he  drinks in the shiv katha.The timing to soak up in the Shiv katha revolves around the brains  of  individuals . The comparative time frame can be averaged between one to four years. In these years the child stays with the guru  attending to him and learning the shiv Katha. Once the guru is decided  that the child has memorised the  shiv Katha  and is confident  to sing it in front of anyone and everyone. He cuts the child’s tuft of hair(Shikha).This testifies that he is a  jangam now.

The jangams have four different cults. They are shiv dheeru, langochi jangam, Anant dheeru janmag, and sheel mool jangam(gupt).The approximate  population of Jangams is around 10,000 in India.

withal they lead a typic life but they also have to follow certain directions.The times have about faced for them as well but some things remain  as a mark on the stone.

In the primitive times walking village to village and going from door to door singing the bhajans was the way of life for them. They took whatever the people offered them.This made for a peachy life for the jangam and his family. But with the irresolute times, stringing the bottom dollar on this alone to make the two ends meet has become a deadweight. Therefore, the jangams have started working.They have their own business , government  as well as private jobs.But the rule to exist in their society needs to be adhered. Therefore, they still do to visit people and sing the shiva

 Bhajans at least for ten days a year which they bring off with their jobs .