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पोथी (scripture on a stand), icon for Guru Ravidas JayantiGuru Ravidas Jayanti 2027 गुरु रविदास जयंती

Birthday of Sant Guru Ravidas

Saturday, 20 February 2027

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is the birth anniversary of the Bhakti saint and poet Ravidas, who taught devotion to one formless God and the equality of all people.

How the date is fixed: Magh Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Magh

Why Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated

Ravidas belongs to the Bhakti movement, a wave of saints who said that love for God matters more than caste, ritual or birth. He came from a family of leather workers, a community that faced harsh discrimination. Through his verses he told people that the divine lives in every heart and that a person is judged by deeds, not by family background.

His idea of "Begampura", a city without sorrow where nobody pays unfair tax, nobody is ranked high or low and everyone lives free, still inspires social reform. For millions of followers, especially in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, the Jayanti is both a religious day and a day of self respect and dignity.

History and story of Guru Ravidas Jayanti

Ravidas was born in Seer Govardhanpur, a village near Varanasi. His parents are remembered as Santokh Das and Kalsi Devi. Historians do not agree on his exact dates, and estimates range from the late 14th century to the early 16th century. Tradition places him in the circle of the saint Ramananda and makes him a contemporary of Kabir.

He earned his living by making and mending shoes, and he kept doing this work even after he became famous as a teacher. Forty one of his hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs. Several traditions also say that Mirabai, the Rajput princess and poet devoted to Krishna, regarded him as her guru. His followers later formed the Ravidassia community, which keeps a separate scripture called Amritbani with his hymns.

How Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated

The day begins with prabhat pheri, where devotees walk through the streets in the early morning singing his hymns. Gurdwaras and Ravidas temples hold kirtan and readings from his bani. Many places organise an Akhand Path, a continuous reading that ends on the Jayanti.

A nagar kirtan or shobha yatra with a decorated palki, music and flags moves through the town. Langar is served to everyone without distinction, which is itself a practical lesson from his teachings. Devotees also take a dip in rivers on Magh Purnima, and some hold lectures on his life and on social equality.

Important days and moments

  1. Prabhat pheri (Early morning of 1 February 2026 (Sunday))
    Devotees walk through lanes and markets before dawn singing hymns of Guru Ravidas.
  2. Akhand Path bhog (Morning of the Jayanti)
    The continuous reading started two days earlier concludes, followed by kirtan and ardas.
  3. Shobha yatra (During the day)
    A decorated procession with a palki, bands and flags passes through the town, with stalls serving water and food along the way.
  4. Langar (Throughout the day)
    Free community meals are served to all visitors, reflecting his message of equality.

Guru Ravidas Jayanti across India

The biggest gathering takes place at the Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan temple in Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi, where lakhs of devotees arrive, many by special trains from Punjab. Dera Sachkhand Ballan near Jalandhar is another major centre.

In Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh the day is widely celebrated with processions. In Uttarakhand, Ravidas temples in Haridwar, Roorkee and Dehradun hold shobha yatras and langar.

Other names and related festivals

  • Guru Ravidass Gurpurab
  • Raidas Jayanti
  • Sant Ravidas Jayanti

Frequently asked questions

When is Guru Ravidas Jayanti in 2027?

Guru Ravidas Jayanti falls on Saturday, 20 February 2027.

Is Guru Ravidas Jayanti a bank holiday?

The RBI bank holiday lists for 2027 are not out yet; they usually come out in December or January. Each state follows its own list, so check your state's bank holiday page then.

Is Guru Ravidas Jayanti a central government holiday?

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is a restricted holiday. Central government employees may take it as one of their two restricted holidays in the year.

What are the other names of Guru Ravidas Jayanti?

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is also known as Guru Ravidass Gurpurab, Raidas Jayanti, Sant Ravidas Jayanti.

Who was Guru Ravidas?

He was a Bhakti saint and poet from Varanasi who taught devotion to one God and rejected caste discrimination. His hymns are part of the Guru Granth Sahib.

When is Guru Ravidas Jayanti celebrated?

It falls on Magh Purnima, the full moon of the month of Magh. In 2026 it is on 1 February.

What is Begampura?

Begampura is the ideal city described in one of his hymns. It is a place without sorrow, fear or unfair tax, where everyone is equal.

Where is the main celebration held?

The largest gathering is at his birthplace temple in Seer Govardhanpur near Varanasi. Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Punjab also draws huge crowds.

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