Devotees from far & near celebrate Ravidas Jayanti

VARANASI: Scores of devotees thronged the birth place of Sant Ravidas at Seer Govardhan village to celebrate his 638th birth anniversary on Tuesday. Processions were taken out from various places. People also recited shabad and kirtans at Ravidas Temple, which was tastefully decorated.
The village wore a festive look. Devotees, including women, started arriving from different parts of the country since morning to offer prayers.A long queue of men and women was witnessed near Ravidas Temple. "It is a much awaited event for all of us and processions begin well in advance at our hometown in Bhatinda. This year we started our 'Prabhat pheri' from December 25 from Guru Dharamshala mandir," Angoori Devi and Kamlesh Rane said. The entire stretch from Ravidas Temple had turned into a fair site, witnessing the presence of stalls selling stuff like garments, books, toys, artificial ornaments, pictures and posters of Sant Ravidas. The children were excited as they could be seen near swings and toy shops. Satyam Upadhyaya said, "The best thing about the celebration is happy faces all around. I met a Punjabi lad two years back here at the fair site and now we are friends for life."
TOI caught up with Sunita Rane and Daljeet Kaur who were busy purchasing bangles at a stall. "We come here every year with our families for celebrations. This year is even more special as there is a marriage in our family next month."
Mass cooking (langars) was witnessed while special prasad was also offered to devotees on the occasion. "Never have we missed a chance to be here got Ravidas Jayanti. I get a feeling of self-satisfaction after serving 'langar' to the devotees," said Paramjeet Kaur, a volunteer from Phagwara. Earlier, Niranjanji Maharaj, chairman of Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Public Charitable Trust (GRJAPCT) garlanded the statue of Sant Ravidas during 'Sant Ravidas Mahotsav' organized by Sant Ravidas Society at Ravidas Park on Monday to start the celebrations in the city. The principles and views of Sant Ravidas were highlighted during the programme. A special flag carrying ceremony by the followers and sewadars (volunteers) was held at the temple in the morning. Niranjanji Maharaj delivered lectures. Every year, the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas is celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima.