Folk Deity Babadev

In Jhabua district, every village has a particular dwelling place Baabdev. Villagers gather twice in a year at the time of Deepawali and Diwasa i.e on no moon-night, to worship Baabdev. Cocks, goats, vermilion, barley or local crop & terracotta figures of horse, sometimes pigs, cats are also offered to propitiate Baabdev desiring the well-being of the entire village. Baabdev can also be related as Indra the God of Rain. The region where Bhil tribe dwells is a water scarce region and they struggle hard to fetch water. The God who brings water to their land is regarded very scared and is worshipped by entire village.

It is believed that Rani Kajal had first worshiped the Rain God or Baabdev on a mountain for the well-being of the people of her region. Since then, a place on small mound is addressed as Baabdev and is worshipped. However, there is no idol of Baabdev but a stone as a symbol and lion and at many places a wooden horse are placed. These places can be seen from a distance due to the heap of terracotta horse figures that are offered here for years.

Artists - Potters from Alirajpur and Jhabua

Area - Alirajpur and Jhabua