Chief Minister Participates in Kalash Vandan Maha Abhiyan Marking the 650th Birth Anniversary Year of Saint Guru Ravidas
Raipur, August 4, 2026/
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the Kalash Vandan Maha Abhiyan organised at Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium, Raipur, on the occasion of the 650th birth anniversary year of Saint Guru Ravidas Maharaj. On the occasion, he announced that Saint Ravidas Jayanti (Maghi Purnima) will be observed as a public holiday across Chhattisgarh from 2027 and that the sale of meat and liquor will remain prohibited across the state on the day.
The Chief Minister also announced that a Rajya Alankaran Award in the name of Saint Guru Ravidas would be instituted among the honours conferred on Chhattisgarh State Foundation Day. He further announced that a major junction in Nava Raipur would be named after the saint. He added that, in consultation with the Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, efforts would be made to inscribe Saint Ravidas’ famous message—
“Aisa Chahun Raj Main, Jahan Mile Saban Ko Ann.
Chhot-Bado Sab Sam Basain, Ravidas Rahain Prasann.”
—within the Assembly premises.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Sai said that the life of Saint Shiromani Guru Ravidas Maharaj is an eternal message of social harmony, equality, devotion, dignity of labour, and social justice. He said the saint’s teachings remain as relevant today as they were centuries ago, inspiring society to rise above discrimination, untouchability, and social divisions while embracing humanity, equal rights, and spiritual consciousness. He said these ideals form the foundation of a developed, harmonious, and strong India.
The Chief Minister said that India has always been the sacred land of saints and sages who guided society whenever it faced injustice, discrimination, oppression, and social inequality. He said Saint Ravidas courageously opposed social evils and inspired people through his message of equality, devotion, and righteous conduct. Referring to the saint’s famous saying, “Man Changa To Kathauti Mein Ganga,” he said it continues to inspire people towards inner purity and spirituality.
Highlighting the significance of the campaign, Shri Sai reverentially carried a sacred Kalash containing holy soil and water brought from Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi, the birthplace of Saint Ravidas, and offered it before the saint’s portrait after traditional prayers. He described the Kalash as a symbol of social harmony and national unity.
The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is progressing with the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” He added that the Prime Minister’s guiding principle of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” reflects the commitment to preserving India’s cultural and spiritual heritage while pursuing development.
He said that the sacred soil and water brought from the birthplace of Saint Ravidas are being carried to monasteries, temples, and centres of faith across the country, transforming the Kalash Vandan Abhiyan into a national movement for social harmony. Appreciating the 11-member delegation led by Dr. Sanam Jangde that brought the sacred Kalash from Seer Govardhanpur, he said the initiative would play a significant role in taking Saint Ravidas’ teachings to every section of society.
The Chief Minister handed over the sacred Kalash to representatives from all districts and flagged off vehicles carrying them to villages across the state. He expressed confidence that the campaign would spread Saint Ravidas’ message of harmony, equality, and social unity to every village, every community, and every household.
Cabinet Minister Shri Guru Khushwant Saheb said that Saint Guru Ravidas eliminated social discrimination and spread the message of equality and social unity. He said the State Government is committed to taking the saint’s teachings to every section of society through the Kalash Vandan Abhiyan.
Addressing the programme, Shri Ajay Jamwal said that Saint Ravidas’ message of social harmony is relevant across the world and urged people to remain vigilant against forces that seek to divide society based on caste, religion, and discrimination.
Smt. Saroj Pandey said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country continues to honour its cultural heritage. She added that Saint Ravidas’ teachings on equality, dignity of labour, Sanatan values, and social harmony remain relevant today and should reach every household.
Revenue Minister Shri Tank Ram Verma, Food Minister Shri Dayal Das Baghel, Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade, MLA Shri Anuj Sharma, MLA Shri Motilal Sahu, MLA Shri Indra Kumar Sahu, MLA Shri Sampat Agrawal, MLA Shri Rohit Sahu, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Charm Shilpkar Board Shri Dhruv Kumar Mirdha, Vice-Chairman of the Gau Seva Ayog Shri Rajeev Lochan Maharaj, Mahant Kheluram Paigwar, Saint Yudhishthir Lal, several public representatives, members of the saint community, and a large number of devotees were present at the programme.
