Guru RavidasJayanti was observed on February 16.

Why in news?

• Guru Ravidas Jayanti was observed on February 16, 2022, in the honour of birthday of Guru Ravidas.
• This festival is celebrated with joviality in North India, specifically in Punjab.
• The day marks the birthday of Indian mystic poet-saint, Ravidas and is celebrated on MaghPurnima.

About Guru Ravidas

• Guru Ravidas or BhagatRavidas was a renowned saint, who is remembered for his contribution to Bhakti movement. He was contemporary to saint Kabir.
• Guru Ravidas was born in Seer Goverdhanpur village in Uttar Pradesh in an underprivileged family.
• He was an advocate of human rights and a progressive thinker who spread the message of equality by means of his poems and teachings based on spirituality.
• His written verses are included in Sikh scriptures “Guru Granth Sahib”.
• MeeraBai, who was an eminent personality in Hindu spiritualism, recognised Guru Ravidas as her spiritual guide.
• He is considered as the founder of 21^st-century Ravidassia religion.