On the occasion of Ravidas Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders paid tribute to the 15th-century celebrated poet on his 646th birth anniversary on Sunday. The poet-saint Ravidas is also remembered as a social reformer for his work towards the upliftment of the downtrodden in society and remains a politically significant icon.
"Saluting Sant Ravidas ji on his birth anniversary," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Sunday, remembering his values of establishing a "just, harmonious, and prosperous society". "Following his path, we are serving and empowering the poor through various initiatives," Modi added.
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President Droupadi Mumru had also tweeted on the eve of Ravidas Jayanti, extending "warm wishes" to people. "His life is a unique example of sacrifice and penance. He considered service to humanity as service to God. Let us follow his teachings and move forward with the overall aim of public well-being," she said.
{{/usCountry}}President Droupadi Mumru had also tweeted on the eve of Ravidas Jayanti, extending "warm wishes" to people. "His life is a unique example of sacrifice and penance. He considered service to humanity as service to God. Let us follow his teachings and move forward with the overall aim of public well-being," she said.
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Guru Ravidas is hailed for his efforts in eliminating casteism and untouchability and enjoys a massive following among a section of the Dalit population, largely in the states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Other leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann also remembered his ‘life and teachings’ and said he was an inspiration for ‘social brotherhood’, ‘equality’, and ‘justice’. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath addressed the media briefly and paid his respects to the leader who is said to be born in Varanasi’s Seer Govardhanpur area.
Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated every year on Magh Purnima, the full moon day of the Magh month according to the Hindu calendar. The poet-social reformer belonged to the era of the 'Bhakti' movement during the 15th century and his hymns are included in the religious scripture of Sikhism - the Guru Granth Sahib. For his birth anniversary, a week-long celebration is organised every year in the Seer Govardhanpur area where devotees arrive from all over the world.