Guru Ravidas Jayanti 2024 to be celebrated today: History, significance and wishes
Guru Ravidas or Raidas was an Indian mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti movement during the 15th to 16th century CE. Guru Ravidas Jayanti 2024 falls on February 24, 2024, on the Purnima Tithi of the Magha Month. The festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, a revered saint, poet, and spiritual leader.
The day is marked with great enthusiasm and devotion. This year, Guru Ravidas Jayanti will be observed on February 24, 2024, coinciding with the full moon day in the month of Magha. Guru Ravidas, also recognized as Raidas, Rohidas, and Ruhidas, Ravidas was born in the village of Sir Gobardhanpur, near Varanasi in what is now Uttar Pradesh, India.
His birthplace is now known as Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan. Despite his impoverished background, he gained fame through his teachings on human rights and equality. Guru Ravidas' profound impact is evident in Guru Granth Sahib, which includes some of his poetic compositions.
Guru Ravidas also influenced spiritual figures like Meera Bai, who revered him as her spiritual mentor. Guru Ravidas taught removal of social divisions of caste and gender, and promoted unity in the pursuit of personal spiritual freedom. Ravidas is venerated as a guru in the modern regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana, he was a poet, social reformer and spiritual figure.
To commemorate Guru Ravidas' birth anniversary, devotees celebrate with joy and fervor. Nagarkirtans, processions accompanied by singing of Gurbani, are organized, and special aarti is performed. Many devotees visit sacred rivers to take a holy bath, while others offer prayers at temples dedicated to Guru Ravidas.
Read more on livemint.com
