Guru Ravidas was a 15th–16th century Bhakti saint (Nirguna Bhakti Tradition), mystic poet, and social reformer.

• Also called  Raidas, Rohidas, or Ravidas
• Born in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Traditionally regarded as a disciple of Ramananda and a contemporary of Kabir.

Philosophy and Teaching

• Emphasizing devotion to a formless God, social equality, and the rejection of caste discrimination.
• Rejected ritualism, superstition, and empty religious practices.
• He put forward the idea of  Begumpura (“City without Sorrow”).

Note

• 41 hymns of Guru Ravidas are included in the Guru Granth Sahib
• Meera Bai accepted Guru Ravidas as her spiritual guide (Guru).
• Many of his poems are also in the Panch Vani text of the Dadu Panthi tradition within Hinduism.

Source: The Indian Express