The Bishnoi Panth, also popularly known as Vishnoi Panth, is a Hindu Vaishnava Sampradaya or Panth found in the Western Thar Desert and northern states of India. It has a set of 29 principles/commandments, given by Guru Jambheshwar (1451–1536). As of 2010, there are an estimated 600,000 followers of Bishnoi Panth residing in northern and central India. Shree Guru Jambheshwar founded the sect at Samrathal Dhora in 1485 and his teachings, comprising 120 shabads, are known as Shabadwani.
He preached for the next 51 years, travelling across India. The preaching of Guru Jambhoji inspires his followers as well as environmental protectors. The Bishnoi sect admitted members from a variety of communities including Jats, Banias, Charans, Rajputs, and Brahmins.
Bishnoi Panth was founded by Shree Guru Jambheshwar (1451–1536), also known as Jambhoji. Some people have used the term Vishnoi, meaning followers of Vishan (Vishnu’s name in local dialect), while most refer to themselves as Bishnoi. Adherents are also known as Jambeshwarpanthi because of their devotion to their Guru, Jambeshwar.
Guru Jambheshwar (1451-1536) also called as Guru Jambhoji, was the founder of the Vishnoi sect, and it is believed that he was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to him, God dwells in everyone’s heart, and we must have to realize him, by showing our sincere devotion and dedication on him. His main teachings are based on protecting the plants and animals and to safeguard them from bad elements. According to him, killing animals and destroying trees are considered as sinful acts, and those who do that, would be severally punished by the god.
Shree Guru Jambeshwar announced a set of 29 Niyamas(Tenets). These were contained in a document called Shabadwani, written in the Nagri script, which consists of 120 shabads. Of his 29 Niyamas, ten are directed towards personal hygiene and maintaining good basic health, seven for healthy social behaviour, and four tenets to the worship of God. Eight Niyamas have been prescribed to encourage good animal husbandry. These include a ban on killing animals and cutting green trees, and providing protection to all life forms. The community is also directed to see that the firewood they use is devoid of small insects.
The Bishnoi have various temples, and out of that they consider the holiest to be that in the village of Mukam in Nokha tehsil, Bikaner district, Rajasthan. There sacred sites of the Bishnois are locally known as Sathri or Dham, located in places that have some connection with Guru Jambheshwar.
“OM SRI GURU JAMBHESHWARA JAGADEESWARA JAGATHRAKSHAKA NAMO NAMAHA”
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R. HARISHANKAR