Guru Ravidas Jayanti—Why it is celebrated!

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Our country has been home to many poets and saints. Similarly, the mystic saint-poet of the 'Bhakti movement'—Ravidas was born in the pious city of Varanasi. The exact date of birth is not known, however it is believed that Guru Ravidas was alive during the 15th to 16th century CE.

Saint Ravidas wrote many devotional songs which became popular during the bhakti movement. It is also believed that Guru Ravidas is the founder of 21st-century Ravidassia religion.

The spiritual figure and guru as he is famously called in the regions of Punjab, UP, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, had written some devotional songs which found place in the holy Guru Granth Sahib. The saint-poet worked religiously towards reforming the people from social evils such as caste system.

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima, which means the full moon day during Magh. This year happens to be the 639th Birth Anniversary of the guru.