Mahakumbh of devotees throng Ganga Ghats in Kashi on Maghi Purnima, Ravidas Jayanti

Millions of devotees thronged the holy city of Kashi on the occasion of Maghi Purnima and the birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas.

After bathing in Prayagraj, the flow is now moving towards Kashi. It is estimated that five to six lakh devotees will reach Kashi.

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The ritual of bathing has been going on since morning at the Ganga Ghats in Kashi. Devotees are taking a dip at all the major ghats, including Dashashwamedh, Assi, Rajendra Prasad, Darbhanga, Shivala, Rana Mahal, Ahilyabai, Ravidas, Namo, and Rajghat.

A large crowd of devotees has also gathered at the Kashi Vishwanath Dham. No vehicles are being allowed to enter from Maidagin towards Godaulia, Assi Ghat, and Dashashwamedh Ghat. In view of the crowds, arrangements have been made for the darshan of Baba Vishwanath’s tableau. The operation of small boats in the Ganga has also been banned.

Professor Bihari Lal Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, stated that in the Indian Sanatan tradition, Maghi Purnima is a highly significant and virtuous festival of religious faith, cultural consciousness, and social harmony. Celebrated during the holy month of Magh, the festival is given special significance in the scriptures by the phrase “Maghmaso Mahapunyapradayakah.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sharma stated that Maghi Purnima is not only a special occasion for bathing in the Ganges, donating, chanting, austerities, and fasting, but also strengthens the spirit of compassion, kindness, service, and equality in Indian folk life. Bathing in confluences, pilgrimage sites, and holy rivers on this day, along with giving and performing charitable acts, fosters spiritual purification and awakens a sense of public welfare.

According to religious scriptures, bathing and donating on Maghi Purnima yield a thousandfold benefits. In particular, the donation of food, clothing, sesame seeds, ghee, and gold is highly valued. This festival reinforces the tradition of spiritual practice, restraint, and self-discipline. It is a classical belief that virtuous deeds performed on this day contribute to the attainment of the four goals of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

Meanwhile, a large crowd of devotees has gathered since morning at the Shiromani Sant Ravidas Temple in Seer Govardhanpur, the birthplace of Sant Ravidas Ji.

The Raidasis are continuing their bhajan-kirtan and recitation. Ardaas and Guru Bandgi are being offered. NRIs have arrived from across the country, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Mumbai, Bihar, Jharkhand, and many other countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Japan.

Devotees are also immersed in bhajans at the temple of Sant Niranjan Das Ji Maharaj, the throne holder of Dera Sachkhand Ballan.

L Sarova, trustee of the Shri Guru Ravidas Janmasthan Public Charitable Trust, stated that more than 500 volunteers are engaged. Guruvani will be broadcast in the devotee pandal in the afternoon.