Chandigarh, July 29:- Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister Shri Krishan Lal Panwar while addressing a press conference held in Panipat on Wednesday said that Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji was a great saint of the Indian Sant tradition, social reformer, poet and one of the main pillars of the Nirgun Bhakti movement. He gave the message of love, equality, brotherhood, service and humanity to the society at a time when caste, untouchability and social discrimination were at their peak. Sant Ravidas gave a new direction to the society through his life and Bani and his thoughts are as relevant today as they were in his time.
He said that the holy Kalash Yatra of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas has started from Varanasi and is passing through 27 districts of the country as an organization. This yatra is not just a religious event, but a national campaign to take the message of Sant Ravidas Ji's thoughts, social harmony, equality, brotherhood and humanity to every household. Minister Shri Krishan Lal Panwar said that wherever the yatra is reaching, it is being warmly welcomed by all sections of the society.
He said that on July 30, this holy Kalash Yatra will reach the Sarhaul border of Gurugram, where it will be warmly welcomed by senior leaders of the state, Sant Samaj and representatives of various social and religious organizations. After this, the Kalash will be installed in the Shri Sheetla Mata Temple in Gurugram, where devotees will be able to have darshan and worship. He said that this yatra will not only honor the age-old faith of the devotees, but will also strengthen mutual brotherhood and social unity in the society.
The Minister said that the Haryana Government is continuously working to preserve the legacy of saints and great people. In this series, Sri Guru Ravidas Dham is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 124 crore on about 5 acres of land in Umari, Kurukshetra. This Dham will become an important center of spiritual, cultural and social inspiration for the coming generations. Here, the life of Sant Ravidas Ji, his philosophy and social message will be widely preserved and disseminated. Shri Krishan Lal Panwar called upon the people of the state to adopt the message of love, equality, brotherhood, service, social justice and humanity of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji in their lives. He said that Sant Ravidas is believed to have been born in Sir Govardhanpur near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh in about the 15th century. His father's name was Santok Das (Raghu) and mother's name was Karma Devi. He proved from his life that no work is small or big, but the greatness of a person is determined by his thoughts, deeds and spirit of service. The Minister said that the spirit of love, compassion, equality and human welfare is clearly visible in the Bani of Sant Ravidas Ji. He gave the message to the society that the only way to reach God is through true deeds, humility and selfless devotion. He inspired people to abandon external appearances and adopt the path of truth, service and morality. Shri Panwar said that special programs will be organized on the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas Ji on February 20, which will continue till then. He said that Sant Ravidas had envisioned an ideal society named Begampura. Begampura means a city where there is no sorrow, fear, injustice, discrimination, tax or exploitation. There, all people should live a life with equal rights, respect and happiness. He said that even today, when there is a discussion about social justice and equality, Sant Ravidas Ji's vision of Begampura comes to the fore as the biggest inspiration. During the press conference, the Minister also recited the famous sayings of Sant Ravidas.