10-Feb-2020: Guru Ravidas Jayanti was celebrated on 9th February, 2020.
Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Magh according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Guru Ravidas was a 14th century saint and reformer of the Bhakti movement in North India.
It is believed that he was born in Varanasi in a cobbler’s family. He gained prominence due to his belief in one God and his unbiased religious poems.
He dedicated his whole life to the abolition of the caste system and openly despised the notion of a Brahminical society. His devotional songs made an instant impact on the Bhakti Movement and around 41 of his poems were included in ‘Guru Granth Sahib’, the religious text of the Sikhs.
18-Feb-2019: President’s greetings on the eve of birthday of Guru Ravidas
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has greeted fellow citizens on the eve of the birthday of Guru Ravidas. In a message, the President has said, “On the sacred occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, I extend my greetings and good wishes to fellow citizens.
Guru Ravidas was among those who led the Bhakti movement in northern India. He gave the people a message of peace, harmony and fraternity. He made people aware of the evils of discrimination and urged overcoming them.
On the birth anniversary of this great spiritual leader, let us follow his teachings, and strive to strengthen the virtues of humanity and social equity.”
31-Jan-2018: Prime Minister pays tributes to Guru Ravidas on his Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Guru Ravidas on the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti.
“I bow to Guru Ravidas Ji on his Jayanti. Guru Ravidas Ji was one of the greatest Saints to have been born in our land. He stood for a society that is equal, just and compassionate. His teachings are eternal and are relevant for people of all sections of society.
Guru Ravidas Ji ushered in several positive changes in our society. He questioned practices that were archaic and regressive, and inspired people to change with the times. This spirit of inquiry and emphasis on moving with the times makes extremely great.
Guru Ravidas Ji had unwavering faith in values of harmony and brotherhood. He did not believe in any kind of discrimination. When we work with the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ we are deeply motivated by Guru Ravidas Ji’s emphasis on serving every human, especially the poor.
29-Oct-2019: Finance Minister Releases Commemorative Coin on Paramahansa Yogananda to Mark his 125th Birth Anniversary
The Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman released a special commemorative coin on Paramahansa Yogananda to mark his 125th birth anniversary.
Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister said this moment is big honour for her. She said that the Paramahansa Yogananda was great son of India, who became so recognised globally. His penetrating sharp eyes are full of divine force, she said. The importance lies in his universal message of bringing harmony among mankind and making it so acceptable globally even when communications modes were limited. India feels very strongly about this great son of the Universe who brought in harmony to all our hearts & minds.
30-Jan-2019: International conference on 8th century sage Guru Padmasambhava
Celebrating 50-years of formalization of diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan, a two-day international conference on 8th century Himalayan sage Guru Padmasambhava was held in New Delhi that saw the participation of distinguished scholars from both countries.
The conference, organised by the Centre for Escalation of Peace (CEP) and titled 'Life and Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava', was held on January 29-30. Scholars from both countries discussed the Guru who was born in India and moved towards Bhutan in the 8th century to spread Buddhism and Buddhist teachings all across the Himalayan region.
This seminar has been organized as a part of a series of events that are being organised to celebrate India-Bhutan friendship. Guru Padmasambhava was born in India and is highly respected in Bhutan. India-Bhutan relations have been good all through the last 70 years. In fact, from the earliest part of the 20th century, even during the British era, we had good relations with Bhutan.
Guru Padmasambhava visited Bhutan two times. His importance is seen everywhere. There is an image or painting of the guru in every Bhutanese home or temple. He is remembered by people almost all day long.
The two countries share formal diplomatic ties for half a century now but the relations between India and Bhutan date back to centuries and has only grown stronger with time.
The Guru spent a large amount of his time in Nalanda there and then he travelled across the Himalayas. He is known as the second Buddha because he brought Buddhism in Bhutan and other Himalayan countries.
Parallel to the conference, an art exhibition, showcasing rare artefacts associated with Guru Padmasambhava, was also held.
Thangka paintings, sculptures and photographs portrayed the life and teachings of the Guru, who is also known as the second Buddha as he played a very crucial role in spreading Buddhism in North-East India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.