Context
Guru Ravidas Jayanti has been observed on February 16, 2022, in the honour of the birthday of Guru Ravidas.
Who was Guru Ravidas?
- Guru Ravidas or Bhagat Ravidas was a renowned saint, who is remembered for his contribution to Bhakti movement.
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- He was a contemporary to saint Kabir.
- Guru Ravidas was born in Seer Goverdhanpur village in Uttar Pradesh in an underprivileged family.
- He was an advocate of human rights and a progressive thinker who spread the message of equality by means of his poems and teachings based on spirituality.
- His written verses are included in Sikh scriptures “Guru Granth Sahib”.
- Meera Bai, who was an eminent personality in Hindu spiritualism, recognised Guru Ravidas as her spiritual guide.
- He is considered as the founder of 21st-century Ravidassia religion.
- This festival is celebrated with joviality in North India, specifically in Punjab.
- The day marks the birthday of Indian mystic poet-saint, Ravidas and is celebrated on Magh Purnima.
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Facts about Bhakti Movement
- The movement probably began in the Tamil region around the 6th and 7th century AD and achieved a great deal of popularity through the poems of the Alvars and Nayanars, the Vaishnavite and Shaivite poets.
- In the Kannada region, the movement begun by Basavanna (1105-68) in the 12th century for a time threatened the caste hierarchy and stretched the fabric of local society.
- The Bhakti Movement marks a pivotal point in India's medieval history.
- The religious movement united the devotees to surrender themselves to the heavenly powers above.
Apart from spirituality, it stood vehemently against the archaic caste system that has plagued Indian society.
- The Bhakti Movement assembled people from different communities, the holy powers bringing them together.
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When is this day celebrated?
- Guru Ravidas Jayanti is observed on the full moon of Magh month, according to Hindu calendar.
- As per the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls in February.
Significance of the day
- The Guru Ravidas Jayanti is of great significance for people, who entrust in beliefs and ideologies of Ravidas religion.
- It is considered the most significant day of the year.
