Kalash Yatra passing through 27 organisational districts to spread the message of love, brotherhood and humanity
Chandigarh: Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister Krishan Lal Panwar said that Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji was one of the greatest saints of India’s saint tradition, a social reformer, poet and one of the foremost pillars of the Nirgun Bhakti movement. He said Guru Ravidas Ji gave the message of love, equality, brotherhood, service and humanity to society at a time when caste discrimination, untouchability and social inequality were at their peak. Through his life and teachings, Guru Ravidas Ji provided a new direction to society, and his ideals remain as relevant today as they were during his lifetime.
Addressing a press conference in Panipat on Wednesday, Panwar said the Holy Kalash Yatra of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji commenced from Varanasi and, as part of the organisation’s nationwide programme, is passing through 27 organisational districts across the country. He said the yatra is not merely a religious event, but a national campaign to take Guru Ravidas Ji’s message of social harmony, equality, brotherhood and humanity to every section of society. He added that wherever the yatra has reached, it has received a grand welcome from people belonging to all sections of society.
The Minister said the Holy Kalash Yatra will reach the Sarhaul Border in Gurugram on July 30, where it will be accorded a grand welcome by senior leaders of the State, members of the saint community and representatives of various social and religious organisations. Thereafter, the Holy Kalash will be placed at Sheetla Mata Temple in Gurugram, where devotees will be able to offer prayers and pay their respects. He said the yatra would not only honour the devotees’ long-standing faith but would also strengthen mutual brotherhood and social unity in society.
Krishan Lal Panwar said the Haryana Government is continuously working to preserve the legacy of saints and great personalities. In this direction, Guru Ravidas Dham is being constructed at Umri in Kurukshetra on approximately five acres of land for Rs. 124 crore. He said the Dham would emerge as an important centre of spiritual, cultural and social inspiration for future generations. The life, philosophy and social message of Guru Ravidas Ji would be preserved and propagated in a comprehensive manner at the Dham.
The Minister appealed to the people of the State to imbibe the message of love, equality, brotherhood, service, social justice and humanity propagated by Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji in their lives.
Panwar said Sant Ravidas is believed to have been born around the 15th century at Seer Govardhanpur, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. His father’s name was Santokh Dass (Raghu) and his mother’s name was Karma Devi. Throughout his life, Guru Ravidas Ji established that no work is small or great; rather, a person’s greatness is determined by his thoughts, actions and spirit of service.
The Minister said Guru Ravidas Ji’s teachings clearly reflect the values of love, compassion, equality and the welfare of humanity. He gave the message that the path to God lies only through righteous deeds, humility and selfless devotion. He inspired people to abandon outward rituals and adopt the path of truth, service and virtuous conduct.
The Minister said special programmes would be organised on February 20, the birth anniversary of the saint, and these programmes would continue thereafter. Panwar said Guru Ravidas Ji envisioned an ideal society called Begampura. Begampura means a city where there is no sorrow, fear, injustice, discrimination, tax or exploitation, and where all people live with equal rights, dignity and happiness. He said that even today, whenever social justice and equality are discussed, Guru Ravidas Ji’s vision of Begampura stands out as one of the greatest sources of inspiration.
