Har

The members of the Ravidassi religion believe in Guru Ravidas or Raidas as their founding prophet. The members are called Ravidasias who believe in Guru Ravidas to be their spiritual master and revere him as Satguru. He is considered one of the early northern India poet-Sants. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... A Guru (Sanskrit: ), is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, as well as in many new religious movements. ... Raidas or Ravidas (c. ... Raidas or Ravidas (c. ... In religion, a prophet (or prophetess) is a person who has directly encountered the numinous or the divine and serves as an intermediary with humanity. ... Satguru or Sadguru means true guru (Sanskrit सदगुरू sat=true), literally: true teacher. ... Sant Mat translates from Hindi into English as The Religion of the Saints. ...

Guru Ravidas founded a spiritual movement in the fourteenth century in India. He was born in a downtrodden community known as Chamars, who were considered "untouchable". According to the inhumane practice of caste, the lowest strata were particularly attracted and initiated into the Ravidasi path by other Hindus. These people were recognised and named "Ad-Dharm" meaning the Primal Spiritual Way, and were a unique community, not adhering, collaborating, cohering and attributing to any other community i.e Muslims or Christians of that time. (mountain)]]. Chamar (tanner; from the Sanskrit Charmakara) is a prominent occupational Dalit caste in India. ... Caste systems are traditional, hereditary systems of social restriction and social stratification, enforced by law or common practice, based on endogamy, occupation, economic status, race, ethnicity, etc. ... Ad-Dharm is an alternative term for the Ravidasi religion, meaning Primal Spiritual Path. ... Primal is an action Video game developed by ESCEE Cambridge. ...

Founder

Main article: Raidas

Guru Ravidas (or Raidas) is considered the founder of the Ravidasi religion by his followers, known as a Ravidasia. According to this religion, it is not a condition that a person be born in the Ravidasi community to become one. He was a great devotee of Lord Rama. Raidas or Ravidas (c. ... A Guru (Sanskrit: ), is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, as well as in many new religious movements. ... Raidas or Ravidas (c. ... Rama ( in IAST, in Devanāgarī) or Ramachandra is a legendary or historical king of ancient India. ...

Places of worship

Bhawan in Bedford

The Ravidasi place of worship is called a Gurdehera and is referred to as such by strict orthodox Ravidasis. ^[1] Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 412 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 412 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... , Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, England. ... Properly called a Ravidasia Gurdehera Sahib, the Gurdehera is the place of worship within the Ravidasi religion. ...

Technically a Ravidassia can meditate and reflect on God anywhere as Guru Ravidass stated that

God dwells within the heart and is always around us. However, there does exist a place of worship which is known as a Gurdehera or Bhawan.

It is not a strict requirement to cover one's head and to remove footwear when entering a Gurdehera, but many people do so due to the influence of Sikhism on the Ravidasi faith. Outside a Gurdehera / Bhawan there is always a red flag upon which is written the Nishaan, and above it an electric lamp symbolising enlightenment from Guru Ravidas's teachings. Langar, a communal lunch, takes place inside the Gurdehera and all are free to partake of it. The Shri Guru Sikhya Sahib is installed as the focal point in the main worship room. Arti takes place daily at the closing of the day's formal services, this consists of the famous Arti written by Guru Ravidas in which he tells God that only His name is sufficient. Translated as follows: The Guru Granth Sahib (Punjabi: , ) is the holy book of Sikhism, as well as being holy to the Ravidasi faith and the Balmiki faith. ... Aarti, rti, arathi, or rati is a Hindu ritual in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. ...

Thy Name Is My Aarti And Ablution, O Lord. Without God’s Name All Religious Paraphernalia Are False. Thy Name Is My Prayer-Mat, Thy Name My Saffron-Grater, And Thy Name Is The Saffron, Which I Sprinkle On Thee. Thy Name Is The Water, Thy Name The Sandal-Wood, And The Repetition Of The Name Is The Rubbing Thereof; This Is The Sandal Paste, Which I Take To Anoint Thee. Thy Name Is The Lamp, Thy Name The Wick, Thy Name Is The Oil, Which I Pour Therein. With Thy Name I Have Kindled The Light, With It’s Illumination My Entire Home Is Bright. Thy Name Is The String, Thy Name The Garland Of Flowers, Defiled Are All The Eighteen Loads Of Leaves, Offerings Of Ours. Why Should I Offer Thee What Thou Thyself Has Created? Thy Name Is The Whisk (Chawar) Which I Wave Over Thee. The Whole World Is Involved In The Eighteen Puranas, And The Sixty-Eight Places Of Pilgrimage, It Rotates Within The Four Forms Of Species. Thy Name Is The Aarti, Sayeth Ravidass And Thy True Name Itself Is Offered, O Lord, As The Ceremonial Food To Thee.

Religious scripture

Inside the Ravidasi Gurdehra, Hymns from the Shri Guru Sikhya Sahib are recited daily. The Shri Guru Sikhya Sahib contains 41 hymns by Guru Ravidas, which fall under the following: Raga - Siri(1), Gauri (5), Asa(6), Gujari(1), Sorath(7), Dhanasari(3), Jaitsari(1), Suhi(3), Bilaval(2), Gaund(2), Ramkali(1), Maru(2), Kedara(1), Bhairau(1), Basant(1), and Malhar(3). One with slight variations is given in both Rag Sorath and Rag Maru. The Guru Granth Sahib (Punjabi: , ) is the holy book of Sikhism, as well as being holy to the Ravidasi faith and the Balmiki faith. ...

The Shri Guru Sikhya Sahib also includes the hymns of many other Gurus, Contemporaries and Disciples, including Guru Nanak (the founder of the Sikh religion), Guru Kabir, Baba Farid etc.. who preached a spiritual path to personal enlightenment. This book contains passages from the holy book Ravidas-Deep, which was presented in the court during British rule in India in recognition of the Ravidasia religion and the Ad-Dharam community. A Guru (Sanskrit: ), is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, as well as in many new religious movements. ... Guru Nanak (Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ, Devanagari: गुरु नानक) (20 October 1469 - 7 May 1539), the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs, was born in the village of Talwandi, now called Nankana... A Guru (Sanskrit: ), is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, as well as in many new religious movements. ... KabÄ«r (also KabÄ«ra) (Hindi: कबीर, GurmukhÄ«: ਕਬੀਰ, Urdu: ) (1440—1518[1]) (born in 1398 according to some accounts[1][2]) was one of the personalities in the history of Indian mysticism. ... Fariduddin Ganjshakar (Farid-ul-Din Masaud Shakar Ganj) c. ... Enlightenment (or brightening) broadly means the acquisition of new wisdom or understanding enabling clarity of perception. ...

Relationship with Sikhism

Many followers are located in Punjab where the main religion is Sikhism. Legend has it that Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh religion, might have met with Guru Ravidass ji, during his travels. It is believed that it was at this stage that Guru Ravidass handed over his Hymns to Guru Nanak Dev. Both spoke against man made discrimination based on Caste, Colour and Creed, and preached ideas of Equality and Socialism, and this is evident from Hymns incorporated in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib. A belief that was later carried out by the later Sikh Guru's.

Places of pilgrimage

According to historians, Guru Ravidass was born on 15th January 1377 and according to the Indian calendar, Sunday Sukhal Falgin Parvithta in 1433. The birth place is located in the Uttar Pradesh State in India, in the city of Benares. It was not an urban area. The locality was known as Mandhuadhe. The community was known as ‘Kutvandla’ one of the Shudhra communities. Begumpura otherwise known as Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, at Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi, India is the ultimate place of pilgrimage for the followers of Ravidas today. Guru Ravidass disappeared from this world around 1527 AD, leaving behind only his footprints. , Uttar Pradesh (Hindi: , Urdu: , translation: Northern Province, IPA: ,  ), [often referred to as U.P.], is the most populous and fifth largest state in the Republic of India. ... Benares (also known as Banaras, Kashi, Kasi and Varanasi (वाराणसी)) is a Hindu holy city on the banks of the river Ganga or Ganges in the modern north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ... The Gopuram of temples, in south India, are adorned with colourful icons depicting a particular story surrounding the temples deity. ... , VārāasÄ« ( , Hindi: , IPA: ), also known as Benares, Banaras, or Benaras ( , Hindi: , , IPA: ), or Kashi or Kasi ( , Hindi: , ), is a famous Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. ... Raidas or Ravidas (c. ...

Religious flag

The Ravidassi religious symbol is known as the Nishaan, distinct from the Sikh Nishan Sahib. Strictly speaking "Nishaan" means "symbol" and is used in Ravidasi context to mean their mantras passed down by their Sants. There is some discussion going on amongst some Ravidasias that the symbol should be Sohang or Har. Both of these words are directly or indirectly meant for mediation or in reciting of Ravidasia hymns, and are given to individuals by their Sant. A Nishaan is the Ravidasi religious symbol, it is distinct from the Sikh Nishan Sahib. ... The Nishan Sahib is a Sikh holy flag made of cotton or silk cloth and is triangular in shape. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... Sants is a neighbourhood of Barcelona, in the southern zone of the city. ... In Tibet, many Buddhists carve mantras into rocks as a form of devotion. ... Low-power broadcasting is the concept of broadcasting at very low power and low cost, to a small community area. ... This article needs cleanup. ...

However, there is a long established Ravidasi flag which has been in use for centuries, its explanation is as follows:

Chaar Janju (four sacred threads) The Brahmins usually put these on according a few scriptures. Guru ]]Raidas]] demolished this by arguing on the basis of logic and spirituality. He explained the four different states of time relating to four disciplines and rituals of religion Dharma.   (Sanskrit) (Devnagari: धर्म) or Dhamma (Pali) is the underlying order in nature and human life and behaviour considered to be in accord with that order. ...

Square (The Heavy Stone)

According to legend, Raidas made the heaviest stone float on the River Ganges. The logic behind this miracle is the enlightenment and overall uplift of every individual. Lack of knowledge and wisdom one sinks to depths of darkness, knowledge makes the stone and steel float.

Sunrays (Thirty four rays of Sunlight)

As a downtrodden people, the Dalit were not allowed to be educated or could afford to be so. The Guru Raidas spoke and communicated in local dialect, and established 34 words script which later became modified by a Sikh Guru and was known as the Gurmukhi script at a later stage. This enabled the Dalit to enjoy and progress in understanding and communicating their philosophy. The Ravidassi Guru's name is Ravi, meaning sun. The universe is illuminated due to the suns otherwise it would be in darkness. The second half of his name is Dass meaning "servant," therefore the Satguru of the Ravidasi religion is the "Servant of Illumination." By following his example, Ravidassia people are striving to become enlightened, as was their Guru. In South Asias caste system, a Dalit; often called an untouchable; is a person of shudra; the lowest of the four castes. ... A Guru (Sanskrit: ), is a teacher in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, as well as in many new religious movements. ... Raidas or Ravidas (c. ... The Gurmukhi (ਗੁਰਮੁਖੀ or ਗੁਰਮੁੱਖੀ) script, derived from the Later Sharada script and standardised by Guru Angad Dev in the 16th century, was designed to write the Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) language. ... According to Hinduism, Ravi is Surya, the Sun. ... Satguru or Sadguru means true guru (Sanskrit सदगुरू sat=true), literally: true teacher. ... Enlightenment (or brightening) broadly means the acquisition of new wisdom or understanding enabling clarity of perception. ...

Circle

The whole universe - the sacred Kara (or bangle) and the Charanamrit (or bowl of holy water). This circle depicts the whole universe, which is contained and run in God's order. Guru Ravidas produced the holy water in a round bowl. The circle also represents the round golden bangle presented to him by Mirabai his follower. Kara may refer to: Kara (Kaushambi), a town in Kaushambi near Allahabad Kara (Togo), a city in northern Togo Kara (Norse mythology), a character in Norse mythology Kara class cruiser, a Soviet Cold War warship design Kara (Sikhism), a type of bracelet worn in South Asia, and a requirement to... Mirabai (मीराबाई) (1498-1547) (sometimes also spelled Meera) was a female Hindu mystical poet whose compositions are popular throughout India. ...

Slogans & chants

The following slogans have been used in Ravidassia community worship since around 1490 CE, and are still used today:

1. “Jo Bole So Nirbhey” - “Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ki Jai”.
2. “Jo Bole So Nirbhey” – “Ravidassia Dharma Ki Jai”.
3. “Jo Bole So Nirbhey – Sadh Sangat Ki Jai”.

Whenever any Ravidassi receives, meets, writes or addresses another he or she is suppose to say “Jai Gurudev”.

See also

• Sant Mat
• Shri Guru Ravidas Mission London

Sant Mat translates from Hindi into English as The Religion of the Saints. ... The Shri Guru Ravidas Mission London (originally known as Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha – East London) is a registered religious charity . ...

References

1. ^ http://www.gururavidas.org.uk/ point 15: # To address our place of worship as Ravidasia Gurdehera Sahib’ all the time and for all the purposes.

^ Adi Granth 29, cited in Hawley, John S. and Jurgensmeyer, Mark (eds.), Songs of the Saints of India (2005) p.17, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-505221-8

^ Guru Ravidass Marg, Harnam Singh Lakha, Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha UK undated.

External links

• Shri Guru Ravidas Mission London
• Guru Ravidas Site
• Gur Ravidas Sabha UK
• Guru Ravidass Sabha.Com
• The Writings of Raidas in Gurmukhi