Sant Ravidas Mandir: A Golden Temple of Faith in Varanasi

Nestled in the heart of Varanasi, one of India's most revered and ancient cities, you'll find a treasure trove of temples that carry immense religious and cultural significance. Varanasi, often referred to as the "city of temples," boasts not only divine sanctuaries dedicated to deities but also temples honoring their devoted followers.
 

Among these sacred sites, the Sant Ravidas Mandir stands out as a significant religious landmark. This temple is a homage to Sant Ravidas, a distinguished poet-saint and social reformer. Devotees from all corners of the country make pilgrimages to Varanasi to visit this hallowed place, seeking blessings and offering their reverence.

Sant Ravidas Mandir holds a profound place in both cultural and religious spheres, serving as a symbol of unwavering devotion and a source of inspiration for countless followers and admirers of Sant Ravidas.

Sant Ravidas Janam Sthan in Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi

Sant Ravidas Mandir holds the distinction of being the birthplace of Guru Ravidas. For his followers, this Janam Asthan Mandir in Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi, is not just a place of birth but a sanctuary of tranquility, often referred to as Begampura. It has evolved into the ultimate pilgrimage destination for those who revere Guru Ravidas.

Each year, on the anniversary of Guru Ravidas's birth, millions of people from India and around the world gather at the Mandir to pay homage. Such is the devotion of his followers that they have generously contributed to the construction of a grand temple on the very spot where Guru Ravidas was born. This temple has become the second Golden Temple of Kashi, following the renowned Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The opulent temple complex is adorned with over 200 kilograms of gold, and this treasure continues to grow annually through the donations of the faithful.

The tranquil and serene environment surrounding the temple makes it an ideal haven for prayer and meditation.

Overview of the Temple

The Sant Ravidas temple, with its resplendent white facade, is situated near the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi. Many of the temple's artifacts and structures are adorned with gold, including the palanquin used for Saint Ravidas. Devotees from various states in India, including Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, along with followers from around the world, have contributed to gilding the temple's pinnacle. The donations have included a 130-kilogram gold palanquin, a 35-kilogram gold lamp, a 35-kilogram gold umbrella, and 32 gold urns. On July 16, 1998, then-President of India K. R. Narayanan inaugurated the impressive Shri Guru Ravidass Gate, a monumental entrance to the temple complex. Access to Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan is through the Shri Guru Ravidass Gate, situated near BHU's Lanka Chauraha.

History of Sant Ravidas Mandir

The foundation stone for this magnificent Mandir was laid on Ashad Sankranti, June 14, 1965, by Hari Das and a dedicated group of Dera Ballan devotees, dispatched by Sarwan Dass to fulfill this sacred task. The devoted group successfully identified the birthplace of Guru Ravidas and commenced the construction of the temple. It is believed that Guru Ravidas resided here and practiced his devotion. The temple was completed in 1994, and it became a splendid structure with a golden roof, thanks to a special ceremony conducted by Banta Ram Ghera and Kanshi Ram, a national leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

The initial phase of the temple's construction was completed in 1972, and on February 22, 1974, Murtis of Guru Ravidas Ji and Sant Sarwan Dass Ji were installed in the Mandir. This was done to express gratitude to Sant Sarwan Dass Ji for his instrumental role in building the beautiful Mandir at Guru Ji's birthplace. In 1993, further construction work was undertaken at the Mandir, and the second phase of construction concluded on April 7, 1994, when Babu Kanshi Ram Ji placed a golden Kalash on top of the Mandir dome in the presence of Sant Garib Dass Ji, other revered saints, and a vast assembly of devoted followers.

The Story of Sant Ravidas Mandir's Construction

The revered Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Dass Ji of Dera SachKhand Ballan undertook the sacred mission of preserving Guru Ji's memory in Benaras and constructing a fitting memorial. He was a spiritual luminary, a visionary, and a revolutionary saint. He dedicated himself to promoting the teachings of Guru Ravidas Ji among the economically disadvantaged. His vision was realized when a monument was constructed at the very spot where Guru Ravidas Ji delivered the sermon of Begupura. Swami Sarwan Das Ji handpicked a dedicated team to carry out this mission. The team ventured to Varanasi, surveying the area around the Banaras Hindu University. Clues, including an Imlee tree, indicated that Guru Ravidas Ji was born in a village named Seer Govardhanpur, situated near BHU on the outskirts of Varanasi. The land was acquired, and construction of an impressive temple commenced immediately. On Ashad Sankranti, Monday, June 14, 1965, Sant Hari Dass Ji and a sizable group of Dera Ballan devotees sent by Sant Sarwan Dass Ji laid the temple's foundation stone.

Significance of Sant Ravidas Mandir

This temple holds paramount importance as the primary place of worship and pilgrimage for followers of the Ravidasi faith. Situated in Dharma Nagri Kashi, it is often referred to as the second Golden Temple of Kashi, adorned with over 200 kilograms of gold. Devotees from all over the world aspire to visit Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir in Seer Goverdhan (Varanasi) at least once in their lifetime to pay homage to Guru Ravidas. The temple stands as a magnificent tribute to Guru Ravidas's teachings and serves as a symbol of faith and unity for his followers.