Bhaktamal | Chokhamela
Real Name - Chokhamela
Other Names - Sant Chokhamela, Chokha
Aradhya - Vithoba Pandrinath Bhagwan
Guru - Namdev
Born - 13th - 14th Century
Place of Birth - Mehuna Raja, Deulgaon Raja Taluka, Buldhana District, Maharastra, India
Marital Status - Married
Language - Marathi
Father - Sudama
Mother - Savitribai
Wife - Soyarabai
Son - Karmamela
Famous - Devotional Saint
Chokhamela was a 14th-century Marathi saint and poet from Maharashtra, India. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the Bhakti movement, a spiritual and devotional movement that focused on devotion to God and the rejection of caste divisions. Chokhamela was born into a Mahar Dalit family, considered "untouchable" in India's rigid caste hierarchy at the time.
Despite the social discrimination he faced due to his caste, Chokhamela is known for his spiritual devotion, which transcended caste barriers. His compositions were centered around the worship of Vithoba (a form of Bhagwan Krishna), and his poetry is a significant part of the devotional literature in Marathi. His hymns reflect the ideals of equality, devotion, and humility, challenging the social norms of his time.
Chokhamela’s life and work are seen as an embodiment of the Bhakti movement's principles, advocating for a direct and personal relationship with God, free from the intercession of priests or rituals. His contributions have inspired generations of Dalits and other marginalized communities to embrace spirituality and challenge social discrimination.