Ravidas Jayanti celebrations from Feb 10; DM, ACP review preps

Varanasi: The Ravidas Jayanti celebrations will commence with the arrival of Sant Niranjan Das by the special train on February 10 here at the 15th-century poet saint's birthplace Seer Govardhanpur.
The tent city being set up for the Ravidas Jayanti, falling on February 12, is in its final stage now. Ahead of the three-day celebrations, district magistrate S Rajalingam and additional commissioner of police S Chinappa inspected the Ravidas temple in Seer Govardhanpur area and discussed events and plans with the temple authorities.
Shri Guru Ravidas Janamsthal Charitable Trust and the head of All India Ravidassiya Dharm, Sant Niranjan Das, will board a special train with other seers and devotees from the country and abroad in Jalandhar on February 9 and reach here on February 10, said GRJCT's trustee coordinator Kishanlal Saroa. He added that lighting of lamps at Ravidas Park will be done on the night of February 10. The main celebrations will start with the hoisting of the Ravidassiya flag on the morning of February 11, said Saroa, adding that it will be followed by lighting of lamp at the temple at the birthplace of Sant Ravidas. Afterwards, Satsang will be organised in Seer Govardhanpur. T
he celebrations will continue on Feb 12, followed by the departure of the seer on February 13. Saroa said that tents have been installed for the stay of devotees and all other arrangements are also being given a finishing touch.
The DM and additional CP reached Seer Govardhanpur on Wednesday afternoon to review the preparations and security arrangements for the three-day celebrations. Necessary instructions were issued to the concerned officials.
In view of a large number of devotees expected, the DM emphasised strict measures for traffic, law and order, and security. He also stressed the need for proper parking arrangements for vehicles.
The DM instructed municipal officials to ensure cleanliness, lighting, mobile toilets, drinking water, and other facilities around the entire complex and temple through a special campaign. The temple administration has been asked to appoint volunteers for cleanliness from their side to maintain order. Clear strategies were directed to be developed and implemented to control and manage the crowd effectively.