Archive · 23 Sep 2026
AAP Plans Guru Ravidas Yatras Ahead of Punjab Elections
Punjab’s government is planning a large celebration for Guru Ravidas’s 650th Parkash Purab.
Four religious processions will travel through many cities and towns.
They will meet at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib on December 3.
The processions will start from Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda and Jammu.
Other events will include prayers, music programmes, school competitions and academic discussions.
The government says the programme will spread Guru Ravidas’s teachings.
The celebrations are happening before Punjab’s 2027 election.
This makes the event important because many Dalit and Ravidassia voters live in Punjab.
The Bhagwant Mann government announced four Shobha Yatras for Guru Ravidas’s 650th Parkash Purab.
The processions will begin from Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda and Jammu before converging at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib on December 3.
Sri Akhand Path Sahib will start on December 4, followed by the Bhog ceremony on December 6.
The celebrations include drone shows, academic seminars, school essay competitions, discussions and Kirtan Darbars across Punjab.
The programme comes ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, when Dalit and Ravidassia voters are expected to be politically important.
- Who
- The Punjab government, including Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, announced the programme.
- What
- A statewide and inter-state programme featuring four Shobha Yatras and other events will mark Guru Ravidas’s 650th Parkash Purab.
- When
- The processions will run from November 30 or December 1-2 and converge on December 3; the Akhand Path begins December 4 and the Bhog is on December 6.
- Where
- The yatras will travel through Punjab and neighboring areas, starting from Varanasi, Faridkot, Bathinda and Jammu, and ending at Sri Khuralgarh Sahib.
- Why
- The stated purpose is to promote Guru Ravidas’s teachings and writings; the timing also gives political parties an opportunity to engage Dalit and Ravidassia voters ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
- Occasion
- 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj
- Convergence site
- Sri Khuralgarh Sahib
- Number of processions
- Four Shobha Yatras
- Convergence date
- December 3
- Prayer programme
- Sri Akhand Path Sahib begins December 4; Bhog is scheduled for December 6
- Political context
- The celebrations take place ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections
- Announcing minister
- Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema