Varanasi Hosts Dual Spiritual Celebrations with Massive Turnout
The ancient city of Varanasi became a focal point of spiritual fervor on Sunday as it simultaneously hosted two major religious events. Lakhs of devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga River on the auspicious occasion of Maghi Purnima, while just kilometers away, the 649th birth anniversary celebrations of Sant Ravidas drew enormous crowds to his birthplace in the Seer Gowardhanpur area.
Maghi Purnima: A River of Devotees
Since Saturday night, devotees had begun congregating at the various ghats along the Ganga. As dawn broke, thousands entered the sacred waters for ritual bathing, with many performing the traditional Deepdaan ceremony by offering lamps to the river. The spiritual energy was palpable as chants of 'Har-Har Mahadev' echoed through the morning air.
Following their purifying baths, most devotees joined orderly queues leading to the Kashi Vishwanath Dham temple complex to offer prayers. The district administration and police had implemented comprehensive security and crowd management measures in anticipation of the massive gatherings. Authorities utilized drone cameras to monitor the entire shrine area and approach roads, ensuring smooth movement and safety for all participants.
Ravidas Jayanti: Global Gathering at Saint's Birthplace
Meanwhile, the three-day Ravidas Jayanti celebration reached its climax with ceremonies that attracted followers from across India and around the world. The morning began with Sant Mandeep Das garlanding the statue of Sant Ravidas at Ravidas Park in Nagwan. This was followed by the ceremonial hoisting of a 120-foot tall 'Hari Nishan' flag, representing the Ravidasiya religion, on the temple premises.
These rituals are traditionally performed by Sant Niranjan Das, chairman of the Shri Guru Ravidas Janamsthal Charitable Trust and head of All India Ravidassiya Dharm. However, as he had returned to Jalandhar on Saturday, Sant Mandeep Das led all events amid devotional chants of 'Ravidas Shakti Amar Rahe', 'Jai Gurudev' and 'Dhan Gurudev'.
Devotional Activities and Community Participation
The temple complex buzzed with spiritual activities throughout the day. After the conclusion of Ravidas Amritvani recitations and bhog offerings, the temple opened for darshan to devotees who had traveled from different states and countries. Separate queues for women and men had formed since late Saturday night, demonstrating both the scale of participation and thoughtful organization.
Beyond the temple itself, the main pandal erected at the park built on Sant Ravidas's birthplace remained active with:
- Religious discourses and spiritual discussions
- Bhajan kirtan sessions featuring devotional music
- Welcome ceremonies for distinguished guests by trustees including K L Sarova
The Ravidas Jayanti fair adjacent to the celebrations attracted particularly large crowds, with followers enjoying stalls selling various items:
- Traditional garments and textiles
- Religious books and literature
- Devotional posters and artwork
- Educational toys and souvenirs
Thousands of devotees also partook in the community langar (mass cooking), consuming prasad in a display of shared devotion and community spirit.
Prominent Figures and Evening Celebrations
The celebrations saw participation from several notable personalities, including Punjab minister Ravjot Singh and Bhim Army leader Chandrashekhar, who visited the temple to pay their respects.
As sunset approached, the temple and fair area transformed with beautiful decorative lighting that illuminated the night. A series of religious processions originating from different parts of the district began converging on the temple road, creating a moving tapestry of devotion that continued late into the evening.
The simultaneous celebrations of Maghi Purnima and Ravidas Jayanti demonstrated Varanasi's enduring significance as India's spiritual capital, capable of hosting multiple major religious events while maintaining order and devotion through careful planning and community cooperation.
