kuldevi of bafna

In Jain tradition, especially among various Jain communities such as the Bafna (or Bapna) community, the concept of a Kuldevi (family or clan goddess) is significant. The Bafna community, which traces its origins to Rajasthan and is traditionally associated with Jainism, reveres Goddess Sachiya Mata (also known as Sachchiyay Mata) as their principal Kuldevi.

Sachiya Mata's main temple is located in Osian, near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. While the worship of goddesses is generally more prominent in Hindu traditions, many Jain communities, especially those from Rajasthan, continue to honor their Kuldevi alongside their Jain practices, often as a mark of family tradition and community identity.

It is important to note that in core Jain philosophy, devotion is primarily directed towards the Tirthankaras and not towards deities or goddesses, as liberation (moksha) is believed to be achieved through one's own spiritual efforts and right conduct. However, the reverence for a Kuldevi like Sachiya Mata remains as a part of cultural heritage for many Jain families, including the Bafna community.