After the culmination of ‘Akhand Path’ (non-stop recitation of the Sikh Holy Scripture Shri Guru Granth Sahib) over a period of 48 hours, at Luton’s Guru Ravidass Sangat (Cardigan St. Luton) many dignitaries, including High Sheriff, Mayor, MPs, Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillors and PCC, joined in the auspicious 645th birthday celebrations of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji, who was a great saint, philosopher, poet, social reformer and a prominent religious visionary of social equality in north India during 14th and 15th century.
Through his spiritual devotion Guru Ravidass Ji had enhanced the cause of equality, social freedom and justice for all, particularly for those who were oppressed, exploited and marginalized.
The princely courts were amongst his supporters, many of whom had eventually become his disciples. Forty of his ‘shabads’ (sacred sayings) are included in the Sikh Holy Scripture.
The melodious ‘Kirtan’ (devotional singing) was all about loving and serving all.
Dignitaries in their speeches appreciated Luton’s Ravidassia community’s efforts to outreach and serve the wider community.
Honouring some guests with Siropa – a length of cloth bestowed on someone as a mark of honour, General Secretary Mr Sanjiv Kumar said, “Two years of COVID has affected all our faith communities so much and in ways we never had imagined. During this time, Gurudwara’s services to community were massively supported by many of our external partners and organisations. The Siropa was a very small token of appreciation and a way of thanking all of those extraordinary people, who supported acknowledged and guided us through our journey of supporting others.”
At Guru Ravidass Ji’s 645th Birthday celebrations, traditional Siropa – a length of cloth was bestowed as a mark of honour upon a few guests, including David Jonathan (Johny) & Mohammad Ryad Khodabocus of GRASSROOTS, Luton Council of Faiths & Near Neighbours Programme for their support to the community.