Sant Ravidas

Source-This post on Sant Ravidas has been created based on the article “Prime Minister pays tributes to Sant Ravidas on his birth anniversary“published in “PIB” on 26 February 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue of Sant Ravidas in Varanasi and offered floral tribute on the occasion of his 647th birth anniversary.

About Sant Ravidas

1. About

a. Guru Ravidas was a mystic poet saint of the Bhakti Movement from the 15th and 16th centuries, and founded the Ravidassia religion.

b. He was a revered poet and a renowned philosopher.

2. Birth- He was born in 1377 CE in Seer Govardhanpur in Uttar Pradesh. His place of birth is now known as Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan.

3. Life history:

a. Despite belonging to a community whose initial occupation was in leatherwork, Ravidas shifted his focus to spiritual pursuits, spending much of his time on the banks of the Ganges.

b. Throughout his life, he associated with Sufi saints, sadhus, and ascetics.

c. At the age of 12, Ravidas was married to Lona Devi, and they had a son named Vijay Dass.

3. Teachings and Works:

a. Since his birth, Guru Ravidas devoted his life to advocating for human rights and equality.

b.  A few of his compositions were also included in Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

c. He is one of the most famous personalities of the nirguna sampradaya (sant parampara) and was one of the prominent leaders of the North Indian Bhakti movement.

d. He also became a symbol of opposition to untouchability in society by the higher caste people for lower caste people.

e) Sant Guru Ravidas Jayanti is hugely observed in the Northern part of India including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana.

About Guru Ravidas Jayanti

a. Sant Ravidas Jayanti or birthday anniversary is celebrated every year on Magh Purnima on full moon day of Magh month.

b. On this special day, a ceremony of Nagar Kirtan procession is performed by people with the chants of mantras during Aarti.

c. Music, songs, and Doha are sung in the temples located on the streets.

d. Some of the followers and devotees also perform the ceremony of holy bath in the Ganga River or other holy places then go to worship his image at home or in a temple.

UPSC Syllabus- Art and Culture, Personalities in News