Punjab Newsline | Amritsar
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has chalked out an extensive program to commemorate the 650th birth anniversary of Bhagat Ravidas Ji, with events planned across the country to highlight his life, teachings, philosophy and social message.
As part of the celebrations, a special function will be organised at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in Amritsar on February 18, 2027. The main anniversary celebrations will take place on February 19 and 20 at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib. The programme was finalised during a meeting of the sub-committee chaired by SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Dhami said seminars would be organised at various educational institutions across the country to discuss Bhagat Ravidas Ji’s life, philosophy and contribution to Gurbani. The first seminar will be held on November 12 at Babbar Akali Memorial Khalsa College, Garhshankar, followed by programmes at Mata Gujri Khalsa College, Kartarpur, on November 21; Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, on November 26; and Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, on December 5.
Further seminars will be organised at Guru Nanak College, Budhlada, on December 12 and at Panth Rattan Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra Institute of Advanced Studies in Sikhism, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, on December 15. A seminar is also scheduled at Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana, on January 4. Similar programmes will be organised in Delhi and Haryana.
Besides academic activities, Gurmat Samagams and Kirtan Darbars will be held at various historical gurdwaras. The series will begin on November 14 at Gurdwara Sri Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi. Other programmes will be organised at Gurdwara Sri Garna Sahib, Bodal, Hoshiarpur, on November 21 and Gurdwara Sri Charankawal Sahib, Banga, on November 28. A Gurmat Samagam and Kirtan Darbar will also be held at Gurdwara Sang Ji, Dhesian, Jalandhar, on December 5.
Religious programs are also planned at various gurdwaras in Ludhiana, Mohali, Barnala, Talwandi Sabo, Batala and Ferozepur, as well as at Saki Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
A major highlight of the celebrations will be a grand Nagar Kirtan starting from Kashi (Varanasi), the birthplace of Bhagat Ravidas Ji, on January 20, 2027. After a Gurmat Samagam in Kashi, the Nagar Kirtan will begin its journey and culminate at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
The SGPC will also publish booklets on the life and history of Bhagat Ravidas Ji in different languages to spread his teachings among wider audiences. The February edition of the Gurmat Parkash magazine will be dedicated to his life, while a special commemorative souvenir will also be published.
Dhami said separate committees would soon be constituted to ensure the systematic organisation and successful completion of the anniversary celebrations.
