Guru Ravidas Jayanti: Quotes & Wishes
Remembering a poet-saint who preached dignity for every soul.
Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima, the full moon of the Magh month, marking the birth anniversary of the Bhakti-era saint, poet and social reformer whose devotional verses are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. He is especially revered for rejecting caste discrimination and preaching the equality of all people. Read a line from our Quotes collection or send Wishes to mark the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Guru Ravidas, and why does his birth anniversary carry such weight?
Guru Ravidas was a 15th–16th century mystic-poet born in Seer Govardhanpur, near Varanasi, into a family of leatherworkers. At a time when caste hierarchy decided almost everything about a person's life, he preached that devotion and moral conduct — not birth — determine a person's worth, and he composed his hymns in the language ordinary people spoke rather than in Sanskrit reserved for elites. That message of dignity and equality is why his Jayanti is still observed with such devotion centuries later. Many mark the day by sharing Guru Ravidas Jayanti quotes drawn from his teachings.
Why does the date of Guru Ravidas Jayanti change from year to year?
The Jayanti falls on Magh Purnima, the full-moon day of the lunar month of Magh, so it doesn't sit on a fixed Gregorian date — it can shift by a couple of weeks each year depending on the lunar cycle. Because of that, it's best to check the specific year's date rather than assume it repeats on the same calendar day.
How do devotees typically observe the day?
The largest gathering takes place at Sri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan temple in Seer Govardhanpur, where huge numbers of pilgrims arrive from across India and abroad. Observances include kirtan and singing of his shabads, nagar kirtan processions through the streets, community langar meals open to all regardless of background, and public readings of his verses.
What is Guru Ravidas's connection to Sikh scripture?
Forty-one of his hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib under Ravidas ki Bani, reflecting the shared Bhakti-era spiritual currents between him and the Sikh Gurus — though the Ravidassia community today maintains its own distinct identity and places of worship separate from Sikh gurdwaras.
What is "Begumpura," and why is it still invoked today?
Begumpura, meaning "city without sorrow," is a vision Guru Ravidas described in verse — an imagined society free of caste, taxation, fear, and suffering. It remains a touchstone for social-equality movements and is often quoted alongside his other verses in Guru Ravidas Jayanti shayari shared on this occasion.
Is the celebration limited to India?
No — it's especially prominent in Punjab, but large Ravidassia communities in the UK (Bradford, Wolverhampton, and elsewhere) run dedicated Bhagat Ravidass temples and hold major gatherings on Jayanti, with some followers identifying Ravidassia as a distinct faith tradition. Wishes exchanged among family and community often draw on the Guru Ravidas Jayanti wishes shared during this period.
