My India — Festivals

Festivals of India — Guru Ravidas Jayanti

Guru Ravidas (1377-1527 CE) was a north Indian mystic poet-saint of the bhakti movement, social reformer and a spiritual figure. The life details of Ravidas are uncertain and contested. Most scholars believe he was born into a low caste family who were regarded as untouchables.

As per Hindu calendar Guru Ravidas was born on Magha Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Magh. Accordingly, 639th Birth Anniversary of Guru Ravidas is celebrated as Guru Ravidas Jayanti on February 22, 2016.

There are 41 of his devotional songs and poems included in the Sikh Scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib. The Panch Vani text of Dadupanthi tradition within Hinduism also includes numerous poems of Ravidas. Guru Ravidas taught removal of social divisions of caste and gender, and promoted unity in the pursuit of personal spiritual freedoms.

His name often includes the honorific Bhagat, Sant or Guru, and sometimes spelled as Ravidass, Raidas, Rohidas and Ruhidas.

His birthplace in Seer Goverdhanpur village, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is now known as Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir, and is a major place of pilgrimage for followers of the Ravidassia religion.

GoldenTwine Informatics wishes you
Happy Guru Ravidas Jayanti

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