Meera or Mirabai was an Indian sage, mystic, poet, and a devotee of Krishna. She is considered to be a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement from the 16th century that took place mainly in the northern parts of India. Meera was born in Kudki (Rajasthan) to a royal Rajput family. In 1516 she got married to Bhoj Raj, the crown prince of Mewar, but he died in 1521 because of severe battle wounds.
Since childhood, Meera used to worship Krishna as her divine companion and her marriage or the death of her husband didn’t change that about her. She spent most of her time singing songs of devotion (Bhajans) in her private temple dedicated to Krishna. When her husband died, she was persecuted and mistreated on a daily basis by her in-laws. Meera’s unparalleled devotion made her somewhat of a rebel since this kind of behavior from a Rajput princess (or a widow) just wasn’t acceptable as per the societal norms of that time.
But she remained fearless and continued pursuing her path of devotion. She composed hundreds of devotional songs and hymns in praise of Krishna, which are still very much a part of the Hindu Bhakti tradition. To honor Mirabai’s legacy, several temples have been erected in various parts of India. The one located in Chittorgarh Fort is the most popular of these.