Guru Ravidass Jayanti: Teachings of Equality and Devotion

Guru Ravidass Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidass Ji. He was a great saint, spiritual teacher, poet and social reformer who spoke for the dignity of every human being. This special day is celebrated on Magh Purnima, the full moon day in the Hindu month of Magh (usually in January or February).

The day is very important in India, especially in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. It is also celebrated by Ravidassia and other followers in countries like the UK, Canada, USA and across Europe, where large communities have built temples and bhawans in his name. On this day, people remember his teachings, his fight against caste discrimination and his powerful message of equality and humanity.

Who Was Guru Ravidass Ji?

Guru Ravidass Ji lived around the 15th 16th century. Exact dates are not the same in all sources, but most agree he lived in the time of other famous Bhakti saints like Sant Kabir.

He was born in a family that did leather work, which was considered a “low caste” at that time. Because of this, he saw and experienced untouchability and social injustice from a very young age. He was not allowed to sit with others, enter some places or take part fully in social and religious activities.

But instead of accepting this system, he quietly questioned it. He asked: if God is one and created everyone, how can some people be higher and some lower? How can touching another human be “impure” if the same God lives in all?

With this deep thinking and strong inner faith, he became:

• A saint
• A spiritual teacher
• A poet whose hymns are sung even today
• A strong voice against caste-based discrimination and social injustice

He taught:

• All humans are equal
• God does not see caste, wealth, family or status
• True devotion is more important than outer rituals
• We should live with love, kindness, honesty and courage

He was a contemporary of Sant Kabir and they are often mentioned together in history and in stories. It is also believed that Mirabai, the famous saint-poet and devotee of Lord Krishna, saw Guru Ravidass Ji as her guru and respected him deeply.

Many of his hymns (bani) are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism. This shows how highly he was respected in the Sikh tradition and by the Sikh Gurus.

Guru Ravidass Ji and the Bhakti Movement

Guru Ravidass Ji was an important saint of the Bhakti Movement. This movement spread across India over several centuries and changed the way many people looked at religion and God.

Before and during that time, religion in many places had become very ritualistic and controlled by a few. Language used in scriptures and prayers was often Sanskrit, which common people could not understand. Caste rules were strict. Many people felt far from God and powerless in society.

The Bhakti saints, including Guru Ravidass Ji, brought a fresh and simple approach:

• They spoke and wrote in local languages so everyone could understand.
• They taught that God is one, beyond names and forms.
• They rejected untouchability and caste superiority.
• They gave more value to inner purity than outer show.
• They said devotion, love and good conduct are the real path to God.

Guru Ravidass Ji followed the same path. His language was simple. His message was clear. Anyone could sit with him, listen to him and follow his teachings rich or poor, any caste, any background. He did not keep God limited to a temple or a ritual. He brought God into daily life through honest work, truth and compassion.

Birth and Early Life of Guru Ravidass Ji

Guru Ravidass Ji was born in Seer Goverdhanpur, a village near Varanasi (Kashi) in present day Uttar Pradesh. Today, this place is a major pilgrimage site for his followers and is often visited on his Jayanti.

From childhood, he was spiritual and kind hearted. He:

• Helped saints and travelers
• Took part in satsangs (spiritual gatherings)
• Loved to remember and chant God’s name

Even though he was treated as “lower” by society, he never lost faith in God or in human goodness. He continued his family’s work of making footwear and leather items. At that time, such work was seen as “impure” by the upper castes, but he did not feel ashamed of honest labour. Instead, he turned his simple work into seva (service) by:

• Working honestly
• Charging fair prices
• Using his earnings to help the poor and needy

Important points from his early life:

• He worked honestly, even when his work was looked down upon.
• He gave charity and helped others without showing off.
• He refused to support unfair customs, even if it meant facing insults.
• He chose devotion, truth and justice over social fear and pressure.

Slowly, people noticed his wisdom, patience and purity. Many started coming to him for guidance and blessings. His simple home turned into a place of satsang, spiritual discussion and collective prayer.

Teachings of Guru Ravidass Ji

The teachings of Guru Ravidass Ji are simple, practical and very powerful. They focus on how to live a good life, how to see God and how to treat others.

They are mainly known through his bani (hymns), some of which are part of Guru Granth Sahib. These hymns are still sung daily in gurudwaras, deras and bhawans.

His main messages include:

Equality for all

Guru Ravidass Ji strongly rejected the idea that some people are “higher” and some are “lower” by birth. He taught:

• No person is high or low by birth.
• Caste, color, job, family or social labels do not decide a person’s value.
• In front of God, everyone is equal and beloved.

This teaching was very bold for his time, when the caste system was strict. But he continued to speak clearly and gently about equality, even when people disagreed with him.

One God

He spoke about one supreme God, who is:

• Formless
• Beyond divisions of religion and caste
• Present in every heart

God, he taught, can be reached through devotion, good actions and a pure heart not by showing off, doing rituals for status, or trying to buy God’s favor with money.

Importance of devotion and good conduct

For Guru Ravidass Ji, real religion was not about complicated rules. It was about:

• Love
• Humility
• Truthfulness
• Compassion
• Service

If a person is cruel, proud, dishonest or selfish, then rituals, fasts and outer show mean nothing. On the other hand, a person who is kind, truthful and devoted is close to God, even if they are poor or belong to a “low” caste.

Honest work and sharing

He taught people to:

• Earn through honest work
• Avoid cheating and injustice
• Share with the poor and needy
• Remember God while working

His own life is a strong example. He did not leave his work to become a saint. Instead, he showed that one can be a saint while working, serving and living in society.

Begampura – the ideal city

In one of his most famous hymns, he describes “Begampura”. The word itself means “a city without sorrow” (be gam without grief).

He describes Begampura as a place where:

• There is no sorrow and no fear.
• There is no caste discrimination.
• There are no unjust taxes, no oppression.
• Everyone is free, equal and respected.
• People live with dignity and joy.

Begampura is not only a religious idea; it is his social dream of a just, equal and happy society, something people still hope and work for today.

These teachings are easy to read, but very deep in meaning. They speak directly to modern problems like discrimination, hatred, greed and division.

Celebrations of Guru Ravidass Jayanti

Guru Ravidass Jayanti is celebrated with devotion, joy, colour and a strong sense of community.

Some common ways it is celebrated:

Holy bath

Many devotees start the day with a holy dip in rivers or sacred water bodies. This is seen as a way to purify the body and mind and to begin the day fresh and clean. At many ghats and sarovars, you can see groups of people taking the holy bath at sunrise.

Decorated temples and bhawans

Guru Ravidass temples, deras and bhawans are:

• Cleaned thoroughly
• Decorated with flowers, lights and colourful cloth
• Sometimes lit up beautifully at night

A portrait or idol of Guru Ravidass Ji is placed in the main hall or sanctum, decorated with flowers and garlands for darshan.

Prayers and kirtan

Special prayers are held throughout the day. Devotees:

• Sing his hymns (shabads)
• Perform kirtan and bhajans based on his bani
• Sit together and listen to recitations and explanations of his verses

The atmosphere is peaceful, devotional and open for all, regardless of background.

Nagar Kirtan (processions)

In many cities and villages, Nagar Kirtans are taken out on the streets:

• A decorated palki (palanquin) with Guru Ravidass Ji’s image is carried at the front.
• Devotees walk behind, singing hymns and raising slogans in praise of Guru Ravidass Ji.
• Children and youth participate with great enthusiasm.
• Sometimes bands, dhols and traditional instruments also join in.

The procession passes through main markets and neighbourhoods, spreading awareness of his teachings and presence.

Spiritual discourses

Saints, scholars and community leaders give talks on:

• His life and struggles
• The meaning of his teachings
• How his message of equality and justice applies in today’s time

These discourses help people, especially the younger generation, connect history with present-day issues and understand why his words still matter.

Visit to Seer Goverdhanpur

Many followers visit his birthplace near Varanasi, especially on or around Jayanti. They:

• Offer prayers
• Take part in special events organized there
• Feel a deep connection by standing in the place where he lived as a child

Langar (community kitchen)

Free food (langar) is served to everyone. People:

• Sit together in rows, shoulder to shoulder
• Eat the same simple food
• Are not separated by caste, status or wealth

This practice directly reflects his message that all are equal and that sharing food is a powerful way to break social barriers.

For many families, this day is also used to teach children about Guru Ravidass Ji. Parents and elders tell stories from his life, read his hymns and explain his values so that the next generation feels connected and proud.

Significance of Guru Ravidass Jayanti

Guru Ravidass Jayanti is important for many reasons:

It honors a saint and reformer

He did not only talk about God. He also spoke strongly and clearly against injustice, untouchability and caste discrimination. He gave hope and dignity to those who were oppressed and ignored.

It reminds us of equality

His main message that every person is equal in God’s eyes remains essential. Even today, when discrimination or bias appears in society, his words act like a guiding light. They remind us to check our own behavior and attitudes.

It inspires self-respect

For people who have historically faced discrimination, Guru Ravidass Ji is a symbol of courage, self-respect and spiritual power. His life shows that greatness is not limited by birth, job, or social status. What matters is devotion, truth and action.

It is respected across communities

His hymns are in the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhs, Ravidassias, Kabirpanthis and many other groups respect him deeply. People from different religions and castes attend Guru Ravidass Jayanti programs. This makes his Jayanti a day of unity and shared reverence.

It is relevant in modern times

The world today still struggles with:

• Inequality
• Discrimination
• Violence and hate
• Lack of compassion

Guru Ravidass Ji’s vision of Begampura and of a fair, casteless, humane society is still an ideal that people can work towards. His teachings are not locked in the past; they are a guide for the present and future.

Guru Ravidass Ji’s Legacy Today

The impact of Guru Ravidass Ji continues even after hundreds of years. His legacy can be seen in:

• Ravidassia bhawans and temples across India and abroad
• Daily singing of his shabads in gurudwaras, deras and homes
• Social movements and organizations inspired by his message of equality and dignity
• Schools, colleges and institutions named after him, encouraging education and self-improvement
• Books, documentaries and articles that spread his life story to new generations

For many people, his teachings are not just religious ideas. They are a source of strength, confidence and direction in daily life. His example tells people:

• Work honestly
• Stay devoted
• Never accept injustice as “normal”
• Always see all humans as equal

In this way, Guru Ravidass Ji’s voice for humanity is still alive and active.

Conclusion

Guru Ravidass Jayanti is more than just a date or a ritual on the calendar. It is a day to remember a saint who:

• Fought against caste discrimination and untouchability
• Lived a simple, honest and deeply devotional life
• Taught that all humans are equal and precious
• Dreamed of a just, free and happy society for everyone

By celebrating his Jayanti, people renew their commitment to equality, humanity and devotion. His words and example guide society toward a kinder, fairer and more compassionate world.