| Veer Teja Ji | |
|---|---|
 Veer Tejaji riding a horse | |
| Affiliation | Deva, Avatar of Shiva |
| Weapon | spear |
| Gender | Male |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 1074 |
| Died | 1103 |
| Parents |
|
| Siblings | Rajal |
| Spouse | Pemal |
Veer Teja Ji or Tejaji is a Rajasthani folk deity. He is considered one of the major eleven incarnations of Shiva and worshipped as a deity in whole (Rural & Urban) Rajasthan.[1][2] Veer Teja was born around 29 January 1074 in Kharnal, Rajasthan, India. His parents, Ramkunwari and Tahar, were Jats.[3]
Legend has it that Teja died in 1103. The story says that he died because of snake bite, he allowed a snake to bite his tongue, that being the only unwounded area of his body. In return, the snake promised that no person or animal would die from a snakebite if they sought the blessings of Teja.[4]
People in Rajasthan particularly call upon this promise on Shukla tenth of the month of Bhadrapada, a day that is set aside for marking his death.[4] Anthropologists say the Tejaji following sect is protagonist that includes an element of protest against the caste system.[5]
