Guru Ravidas Jayanti 2026

This sacred day celebrates one of India's most influential spiritual teachers, who fought against caste discrimination and spread the message of equality, devotion, and love for all. The festival is celebrated on Magha Purnima, which is the full moon day in the Hindu month of Magha, falling in January or February.

Let’s now uncover more about the Guru Ravidas Jayanti, starting with the exact date and time.

Guru Ravidas Jayanti 2026 Date and Time

Guru Ravidas Jayanti 2026 is going to be on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Purnima Tithi (Full Moon) Timings will be as follows.

• Begins: February 1, 2026, at 05:52 AM

• Ends: February 2, 2026, at 03:38 AM

This year will mark the 649th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas.

The celebration happens on Magha Purnima, which is considered highly auspicious for spiritual activities and honoring saints.

Now, to understand why we celebrate Guru Ravidas Jayanti, you need to know about this remarkable saint who changed countless lives.

Who Was Guru Ravidas?

Guru Ravidas was born around 1377 CE (some say 1399 CE or 1450 CE; there's debate about the exact year) in Seer Goverdhanpur village near Varanasi.

His father's name was Raghubir (Raghu), and his mother was Ghurwiniya. They were a family of cobblers (Chamar community), which was considered a "lower caste" in the rigid social hierarchy of that time.

Despite being born into a family of shoemakers, Ravidas showed extraordinary spiritual inclination from childhood. He worked as a cobbler to support his family, but his real calling was spirituality and poetry. He would often give away shoes for free to sadhus and saints, which would trouble his family financially.

Inspired by Sant Kabir, Ravidas became a disciple of the great saint Ramanand. Under Ramanand's guidance, his spiritual understanding deepened, and he began composing devotional songs and poems.

Afterwards, Guru Ravidas preached that all human beings are equal in the eyes of God, regardless of their caste, creed, or social status.

At a time when caste discrimination was shown, this was revolutionary. He taught through simple, beautiful poetry that touched hearts across all social classes.

Mirabai, the famous poet-saint and devotee of Krishna, was his disciple. His spiritual wisdom attracted people from all walks of life, from the poorest laborers to royal families.

Even today, 41 of his devotional hymns (shabads) are included in the holy Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Ravidas passed away around 1527 CE in Varanasi, leaving behind a legacy of equality, love, and devotion that continues to inspire millions.

How is Guru Ravidas Jayanti Celebrated?

Now that you know the life history of Guru Ravidas, let’s check out how his special day, Guru Ravidas Jayanti, is celebrated.

At Gurudwaras and Temples

• Decoration and Preparation: Days before the festival, gurudwaras and temples are cleaned and decorated with colorful lights, flowers, and banners displaying Guru Ravidas's teachings.

• Reading the Amritbani: The holy book of Ravidas, "Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji," is read throughout the day. His 41 hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib are also recited with devotion.

• Akhand Path: Many places organize a continuous reading of scriptures that goes on for hours or days leading up to the main celebration.

• Special Prayers and Aarti: Morning and evening prayers include special aartis is dedicated to Guru Ravidas.

Holy Bath

• River Dips: Devotees wake up before sunrise and take holy dips in rivers, especially the Ganges if they're near Varanasi. This ritual purifies the body and mind before worship.

• At Home: Those far from rivers take ritual baths at home, keeping the water sacred by adding Ganga jal.

Nagar Kirtan

• Community Processions: One of the most vibrant parts of the celebration is the Nagar Kirtan. It is a massive public procession through streets and neighborhoods.

• Dressing as Guru Ravidas: Devoted followers dress up as Guru Ravidas (wearing traditional clothes similar to what he would have worn) and walk in the procession.

• Carrying His Portrait: Large portraits or images of Guru Ravidas are carried at the front of the procession on decorated floats.

• Music and Singing: The procession includes continuous singing of his bhajans, accompanied by drums, harmonium, and other instruments.

• Free Food Distribution: Many processions distribute free food (langar) to everyone, embodying Ravidas's message of equality, that everyone eats together regardless of their background.

Pilgrimage to Varanasi

• Visiting the Birthplace: Thousands of devotees travel to Varanasi to visit the Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir. It is the temple built at his birthplace in Seer Goverdhanpur. This is considered the spiritual headquarters for Ravidassia followers.

• Special Celebrations: The Varanasi temple sees massive gatherings with special prayers, langar, and celebrations lasting several days around the jayanti.

Community Service

• Langar: Following Sikh tradition, many gurudwaras organize massive community meals where thousands are fed free vegetarian food. This practice embodies equality; everyone sits together and eats the same food.

• Charity: Devotees donate clothes, food, and money to the poor, remembering Ravidas's compassion for the underprivileged.

• Social Service: Some organizations set up blood donation camps, medical camps, and other community service activities on this day.

As you become a part of these sacred rituals and seek blessings on this holy day, it is also a perfect time to find clarity for your own future. Talk to an astrologer on Astroyogi today

Guru Ravidas Jayanti: Modern Relevance

Why does a 15th-century saint matter today? Because the inequality he fought against still exists in some parts, we celebrate his teachings, which say “that no one is superior by birth”; only our deeds define us.

He showed that God values a pure heart over empty rituals. By continuing to work as a cobbler even after becoming famous, he taught the world the dignity of labor. Guru Ravidas’s life story also proves that greatness comes from character, not just social status.

Today, celebrating him isn't just about the past; it is a promise to continue the fight for equality and respect for all.