Context
Guru Ravidas was recently in the news after the Union Government named the newly inaugurated Adampur Airport in Punjab in his honour to mark his birth anniversary.
About Guru Ravidas
- Guru Ravidas (1377–1527 CE) was a prominent Bhakti saint, poet, and social reformer who made significant contributions to the Bhakti Movement through his devotional hymns and teachings.
- He is also known as Raidas, Rohidas, and Ruhidas.
- He was born at Sir Gobardhanpur, near Varanasi in present-day Uttar Pradesh. His birthplace is now known as Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan, and his birth anniversary is celebrated as Ravidas Jayanti.
- Traditionally regarded as a disciple of Ramananda, he is believed to have been a contemporary of Kabir.
- He composed devotional hymns and poems in local languages, which inspired a large number of devotees. Forty-one of his compositions are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, while several others are preserved in the Panch Vani of the Dadu Panthi
- His philosophy upheld equality, human dignity, and spiritual freedom, while rejecting the caste system, untouchability, and all forms of social discrimination.
- He envisioned an ideal society called ‘Beghumpura’, a city free from sorrow, fear, and discrimination, and advocated devotion to the Nirguna (formless) Supreme Being over the Saguna (with attributes) form.
- Meera Bai is believed to have accepted Guru Ravidas as her guru.
- His teachings form the basis of the Ravidassia religion. Followers regard him as a revered Guru, follow the Amrit Bani Guru Ravidass as their holy scripture, and observe their own religious symbols and practices.
