Sant Ravidas
Guru Ravidas Jayanti is the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas, the renowned saint and poet who lived during the period of Kabirdas. In 2026, Sant Ravidas Jayanti date is February 1.
Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima, Full Moon day Magh month (January – February). Recital of Akhand Paath, special Aarti, and Nagar Kirtan mark the major celebrations of the auspicious day.
Guru Ravidas was born in a Harijan family in Varanasi. Most of the time in his life, he was in meditation on the banks of River Ganga. He wrote numerous hymns praising the Lord. In Varanasi, Sant Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated with lot of gusto.
Spiritual Significance
Ravidas emphasized nirguna bhakti (devotion to the formless divine), inner purity over rituals, and universal humanity, influencing Sikhism and the Ravidassia community. His life story inspires the marginalized, promoting selfless service (seva) and ethical living; it coincides with Magha Purnima rituals like holy baths for amplified merits.
Key Rituals
Devotees take holy dips in rivers, visit Ravidas temples or gurdwaras for kirtan of his bhajans, perform aarti with floral offerings and prasad (langar meals), and organize processions (shobha yatras). In South India and Telangana, special satsangs feature Telugu recitations of his verses alongside Vishnu worship.