The Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Mandir is white and is located near BHU in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Many things in the temple are made of gold, including Saint Ravidas’s giant palanquin. In this temple, more than 200 kg of gold can be found, which only grows yearly because people give it more money. The serene and calming atmosphere of the temple makes it an ideal place for prayer and meditation. The Shri Guru Ravidas Gate, a huge and impressive entrance to the temple, was opened in 1998. Also, Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan can be reached through Shri Guru Ravidas Gate at Lanka Chauraha near BHU.
About Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Mandir
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Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Mandir is a religious site in the holy city of Varanasi dedicated to the renowned poet-saint Sant Ravidas. Followers worldwide have donated money to turn the top of the saint’s temple into gold. The donation consisted of a 130 kg gold palanquin, a 35 kg gold lamp, a 35 kg gold umbrella, and 32 gold urns.
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Places To Visit Nearby Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidass Mandir
If one had to describe Varanasi in two words, it would be: Temples and Ghats. But there is so much history and divinity encompassed here, that millions of tourists are attracted to this holy city every year. Varanasi, being the oldest city in India, is not just a place of worship but a centre of spiritual retreat as well.
1. Manikarnika Ghat
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Regarded as one of the holiest cremation grounds among the sacred ghats, located on the banks of River Ganga, in the city of Varanasi; visiting Manikarnika is a humbling experience like no other. It is truly one of the few places where death is celebrated because a human’s soul is believed to attain moksha (or liberation from the cycle of rebirth when cremated here. This ghat is named after Sati’s earrings which fell at this piece of land when Lord Shiva carried her corpse and wandered. Another primary reason to visit this place is that Varanasi’s Hindu genealogy registers are kept here, allowing you to make an honest attempt at tracing your family tree and family history.
Location: Garawasi, Jugul Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
Timings: Open 24 hours
2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple
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The only Jyotirlinga in the entire state of the religiously prominent Uttar Pradesh, an exploration of Varanasi cannot be concluded without visiting the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The presiding deity is known by the name of Vishwanath, literally translating to Lord of the Universe. Recent developments show that the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor connecting the Ganga river with this temple complex was inaugurated in 2021.
Address: Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001
Timings: 3 am – 11 am, 12:30 pm – 08 pm, & 09 pm – 11 pm
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3. Sarnath
Image Credit: Yusuke Kawasaki for Wikipedia Commons
If you are looking to visit around Varanasi for a day outing or a short trip, then Sarnath is the destination for you. Located 13 km northeast of Varanasi, Sarnath is among the famous Buddhist pilgrimages in India that will give you the true experience of religious sightseeing. These historical ruins are famous and still visited by many because after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, the Buddha came here to Sarnath seeking his former companions and thus gave his first sermon at this exact location. It is a popular place to visit around Varanasi after jostling your way through the frazzled ghats and gullies of Kashi, seeking peace and solitude at this sermon site.
Address: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007
Timings: Always open
Timings Of The Temple
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Today, people who follow Guru Ravidas and his teachings know about Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir, Varanasi all over the world. For them, it is not only a highly revered pilgrimage site but also a strong symbol of Dalit identity and subsequent awakening. The doors to Sant Ravidas Mandir open early in the morning, at 7:00 AM and close late at night, at 11:00 PM. From 7:30 in the morning, the devotees can line up for the morning darshan when it begins.
Related Post: Places To Visit In Varanasi
How To Reach
Shri Guru Ravidas Janam Asthan Mandir is situated at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It can be easily accessed through all the different means of transportation:
By Train: The Varanasi railway station is about 9 km away from Sant Ravidas Mandir whereas the Banaras railway station is the closest train stop and is about 7.7 km from the temple. You can easily reach this temple from either railway station by using any road transportation.
By Road: The roads that take the devotees to this temple are very well connected to the other roads that can take the visitors to all the other places in the city. This means that you can travel to this temple from any part of the country in your own car or on a public bus or in an auto rickshaw.
By Air: The closest airport is at a distance of about 27 kilometres at Babatpur – The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. You can easily proceed to visit the Sant Ravidas Temple by using public transportation or opting for a private cab from the airport.
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Now you have complete information about Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Mandir and the significance it still holds and that gives you a list of reasons to visit the holy city of Varanasi. Make sure you plan your trip to Varanasi at the earliest and don’t forget to explore all the historical and spiritual marvels of this city. Don’t miss out on exploring these wonders and book your tickets now!
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Cover Image Credit: Richa Yadav for wikimedia commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Mandir
Could Sant Ravidas treat leprosy?
At the end of every religious discourse, Guru Ravidas would give every disciple sacred water from his earthen pot as a token of Prasad. People took that and started drinking. However, a wealthy Seth considered that as dirty water and refused to drink and instead, threw it behind his back which was partially dispersed on floor and on his clothes. He, then went home and gave his clothes to the poor person who was suffering from leprosy disease. As the legend has it, as soon as the poor man wore those clothes, he started feeling soothing effects all over his body and skin whereas leprotic wounds started healing up and became healthy very soon.
How is Sant Ravidas connected to the Mughal Empire?
Babur, the founding emperor of the Mughal emperor who ruled Delhi after his victory in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 where he massacred tons of people in the belief of God. He already had an idea about the spiritual powers of Ravidas and decided to meet him at once. He went there and touched the feet of the Guru to honour him, however; instead, he was punished by the Guru for the murder of innocent bodies. Sant Ravidas taught him deeply which influenced Babur very much and he ended up becoming a great follower of the Guru and started supporting the poor in Delhi and Agra.
How much gold can be found in Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Mandir?
In this temple as a whole, there is more than 200 kg of gold which only grows every year because people give more money to it. Followers from all over the world have given money to turn the top of the saint’s temple in gold. The donation comprised of a gold palanquin which weighed 130 kilograms, a gold lamp of 35 kilograms, a gold umbrella which was 35 kilograms and 32 urns made of gold.
What is the significance of this temple?
The foundation stone of this Mandir was laid on Ashad Sankranti, June 14, 1965, by Hari Das and a big group of Dera Ballan devotees sent by Sarwan Dass for the job. Firstly, the devotees found where Guru Ravidas was born, and a temple was built there. People believed that Guru Ravidas also used to live and practise bhakti here. Eventually, the temple was finished being built in the year 1994. And the golden roof on top of this temple was put in a special ceremony.
What are the timings of this temple?
The doors to Sant Ravidas Mandir open at 7:00 AM in the morning and close late at 11:00 PM in the night. From 7:30 in the morning, the darshan begins. For people all over the world, this site is a pilgrimage and a sign of Dalit identity and awakening.
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