KHURALGARH, 6th February 2026:
Marking a decisive institutional commitment to the legacy of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, the Punjab government on Friday formally launched year-long celebrations for the 650th Guru Purb, laying out a clear sequence of religious, cultural and academic initiatives that will run across the state until February 20, 2027. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated the commemorations with the announcement of sustained congregations, Sant Sammelans, katha-kirtan programmes, conventions and university-level seminars, while simultaneously unveiling major infrastructure commitments including the expansion of a Sri Guru Ravidass Memorial at Khuralgarh and the establishment of a Sri Guru Ravidass Bani Research Centre near Dera Ballan at Jalandhar.
Stressing that financial constraints would not be allowed to dilute the scale or spirit of the observances, the Chief Minister assured that all directions of the Sant Samaj would be fully implemented, situating the year-long religious programme within the broader governance framework of the AAP government that prioritises education reform, expanded public healthcare with cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh, and policy decisions guided by public welfare.
Addressing the state-level function organised to commemorate the 649th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann congratulated the Sangat and said, “It is our collective duty to spread the message of Guru Ji across the globe. Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji envisioned an egalitarian society free from all forms of discrimination.”
Describing himself as a humble participant in the sacred congregation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann assured that “the state government will leave no stone unturned to celebrate the upcoming 650th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji in an unsurpassed manner.”
Recalling recent initiatives, the Chief Minister said, “The state government has recently commemorated the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji through a series of events. Likewise, year-long programmes have been chalked out to celebrate the 650th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji in an unprecedented manner.” He added that he felt blessed to be connected to this sacred land, noting that “Guru Ji delivered a powerful message of equality from here and spent more than four years at this place.”
Highlighting steps taken to institutionalise the legacy of the revered Guru, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “To perpetuate the teachings and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji, the state government has established Chairs at Punjab University and Guru Nanak Dev University to undertake research.”
He further said, “As guided by the Sant Samaj, the state government will organise a wide range of events to mark the 650th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji. All of us are fortunate to have received this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate Guru Ji’s Parkash Purb.”
Reiterating his government’s commitment to social justice, the Chief Minister said, “We will work tirelessly to ameliorate the woes of the weaker and underprivileged sections of society, in complete consonance with the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji.” He added that “the state government is duty bound to ensure the well-being of the poorest of the poor, for which several path-breaking initiatives are being undertaken,” and said that “with the blessings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, our government has been voted to power with a thumping majority.”
Elaborating on Guru Ji’s philosophy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji gave the message of welfare of entire humanity and equality of all sections of society, thereby laying the foundation of a truly egalitarian social order.” He added, “Guru Ji envisioned an ideal society where no one suffers in any form, and our government is fully committed to carving out such a society based on the teachings and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji.”
The Chief Minister further said, “The life and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji continue to guide humanity towards building an egalitarian society. Guru Ji was a great spiritual ambassador and a messiah of the poor and underprivileged, who taught us to lead a virtuous and noble life.” He added that “this Parkash Purb is an occasion for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the creation of a society where every human being lives with self-respect and dignity, without any discrimination.”
Referring to Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideology, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In line with the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar, our government is empowering the weaker sections of society through quality education.” He added that “the Schools of Eminence established by the state government will realise Babasaheb’s dreams by grooming poor but bright students for a prosperous future.”
The Chief Minister also urged the devotees to pray for peace, progress and prosperity of Punjab, saying that “with the blessings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji, the state government will soon carve out a new, vibrant and progressive Punjab.”
Highlighting healthcare reforms, the Chief Minister said, “The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is being implemented across Punjab as the state’s largest health reform programme.” He added, “Every family is now entitled to cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh. Earlier, this limit was Rs 5 lakh, which has now been doubled.” Bhagwant Singh Mann said that “around 65 lakh families will benefit from this ambitious scheme, which is aimed at the welfare of every section of society.”
Giving a clarion call to the people, the Chief Minister said, “We must follow the path shown by Sri Guru Ravidass Ji to eradicate the various social evils prevailing in society.” He added, “The bani of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji is a lighthouse for entire humanity. Guru Ji showed the world the true path of humanity, and this bani can play a pivotal role in emancipating society from the challenges it faces today.”
Referring to major infrastructure initiatives, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government has already constructed a world-class memorial at Khuralgarh at a cost of nearly ₹148 crore as a humble tribute to Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji.”
He added that “the memorial includes tourist facilities, multi-level parking, Minar-e-Begumpura, Sangat Hall, a state-of-the-art auditorium and other amenities.” Reiterating Guru Ji’s universal message, he said that “Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji stood for the welfare of entire humanity and equality of all sections of society.”
The Chief Minister further revealed, “The state government has purchased 12 acres of land in villages Faridpur and Nau Gaza in Jalandhar at a cost of ₹10 crore for setting up the Sri Guru Ravidass Adhyan Centre near Dera Ballan.” He said, “This state-of-the-art centre will emerge as a major research hub dedicated to the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji and will serve as a beacon of learning, devotion and propagation of Guru Ji’s bani.”
Addressing the gathering, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said, “I feel fortunate to have the privilege of visiting the sacred land of Khuralgarh, which bears the footprints of Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji.”
He added, “From this land, Guru Ji gave the message of human equality, and today the Punjab government and the Aam Aadmi Party are following this very path by ensuring equal rights for all sections of society.”
Manish Sisodia said that “in Punjab today, while upholding the principle of equality, the government is providing education, healthcare and other facilities to every individual,” adding that “not just Punjab, but the entire country needs such a vision where every person is treated equally.”
Several Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, representatives of the Sant Samaj and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
