The 631st Sri Guru Ravidas Jayanti was celebrated with great fervour in Jalandhar at various places. Sri Guru Ravidas lived in the 15th century, was one of the great poet-saints of north India. He lived in Benares. His teachings are prominently included in the Sikh Holy Book,Sri Guru Granth Sahib.There is also a larger body of hymns passed on independently of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Ravidas was born in a village near Varanasi, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India in 1376. His father was a leather merchant. He was born in a poor family. Nonetheless he rose to a position of great honour through a life of simplicity and piety. He set an example for his followers to break the barriers set up by so called upper castes and set a philosophical and armed path for freedom. He incited his followers against cruel ruling class. He motivated his followers for a sovereign state of Begampura.
He was the first to motivate his followers to challenge discrimination on the grounds of caste. Because of his charismatic deeds, he has become an important figure in the Whole World, his followers calling themselves Ravidasis. He was the first to motivate his followers to make/call them untouchables who make/call them so. By his deeds he proved that he was a high caste, although others were calling him a low caste. He was the first to scientifically prove the highness of his caste.
Some of His prominent hymns:
अब कैसे छूटे राम, नाम रट लागी |
प्रभुजी तुम चन्दन हम पानी, जाकी अंग अंग बास समानि |
प्रभुजी तुम घन बन हम मोरा, जैसे चितवत चन्द चकोरा |
प्रभुजी तुम दीपक हम बाती, जाकी जोति बरै दिन राती |
प्रभुजी तुम मोती हम धागा, जैसे सोने मिलत सुहागा |
प्रभुजी तुम स्वामी हम दासा, ऐसी भक्ति करै रैदासा |
Melas were organised at different places around Jalandhar.One of bif Mela was organised around Nakodar Road. There was abundant shops selling Tikki Samosa,Jalebis. There were magic shows. There was a big crowd with people visting not only from Jalandhar but from all around the world. Mela on Ravidas Jayanti at Nakodar Road is being organised for more than 50 years now. It was organised on Nakodar Road from Ravidas Chowk to Buta Mandi and Lambra Road. Many house had very colourful lightings and also people were celebrating with firecrackers.
