Saints: Dera Sach Khand Ballan

Shri 108 Sant Baba Pipal Dass Ji

The first spiritual Master of Dera Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Dass Sachkhand Ballan was Shri 108 Sant Baba Pipal Dass Ji, A great Saint Pipal Dass ji, along with his five year old son Sarwan Dass came to village Ballan, District Jalandhar, from Gill Patti, Bhatinda. The picturesque surroundings of the village tempted the saint to make this area, the sphere of his activities. He established a Dera there. After Sant Pipal Dass left for his heavenly abode in 1928, his son Sant Sarwan Dass ji was installed Gaddi-Nashin of the temporal seat of the Dera .Baba Ji given messages to the followers to renounce illiteracy and ignorance and work hard in order to ameliorate their social and economic conditions.

Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Dass Ji

Sant Sarwan Dass Ji was born on 15th February 1895 in the family of Baba Pipal Dass Ji and Mata Sobha wanti Ji at Gill Patti Bhatinda. After the joti jot smaye of Baba Pipal Dass Ji, Sant Sarwan Dass Ji took over the Dera. He held the sangat in high esteem. He himself was a highly disciplined saint. Since the days of Baba Pipal Dass Ji, he used to come out of the village to a distant quiet place and meditated there for most of times. He attained divine enlightenment. He had padam (flower type of symbol) in his right foot. It signified his predetermined divinity. He built a Kutia of mud and sarkanda on one kanal land donated by One Shri Hazara Singh of village Bal. At this place an elegant mandir stands erected . He moulded his life to three norms SEWA-SATSANG-SIMRAN. He became famous and an example for others for noble values. He treated patients with free Ayurvedic medicines and divine blessings. Also he used to teach children. He strongly preached education among children in including girls. He liberally donated funds for schools, technical schools, colleges.

There was one raised platform in front of the kutia on which Maharaj Ji always meditated and held satsang. In course of time, Sant Hari Dass Ji joined the Dera. Later Sant Garib Dass Ji and Sant Niranjan Dass Ji dedicated themselves to the Dera and joined Sant Sarwan Dass Ji. They all joined for Sewa of the Sangat under the guidance of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji.

The writer has been fortunate enough to be close to Sant Sarwan Dass. He used to spend his night at his place at in village Bal. He always got up at 3.00 am. After bath he would sit in Samadhi. At the dawn of the day, he would go out for a long walk. Then he would come to Dera and give ayurvedic medicines to the patients, redressed individual problems of the devotees. Discussion on divinity were held with the saints and scholars. As soon on he was free from these engagements, he would start satsang. Then he would ask one or the other saint or any devotee from those present to recite Amrit Bani. This continued up to lunch. After lunch all devotees were requested to go to their homes. Maharaj Ji took rest for some time.

He would again start religious discourses in the afternoon. A little after sun set, Maharaj Ji daily went to spend his night at the village Dera. There again satsang was held Many devotees from the Village Bal used to attend night satsang. After ardas at about 10 pm, Maharaj Ji would allow them to go to their homes. This was the daily routine. Many devotees and saints used to recite sacred bani exhorting us to worship God and to do noble deeds. Many sang soul touching songs in melodious tunes conveying the message of Bhakti. There used to be calm and serene atmosphere. Indeed, Sant Sarwan Dass Ji became successful in creating a cult among the devotees to do good, to educate their Children, to work hard, to spread love and affection, to make life meaningful, to do noble deeds, to be pious, to be an ideal and worthy person and above all to always remember God. He vehemently preached against rituals and superstitions. Following the foot prints of Guru Ravidass Ji, he laid stress on equality, fraternity, dignity, brotherhood. He was very practical. He asked his followers to discard traditional customs and beliefs which are inimical to the growth of human beings. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji was highly distressed when he ever heard of oppression of the weak. He shouldered the cause of the poor and the down-trodden and dedicated his life to the welfare of humanity. He wanted their unity and that inspired them to struggle for regaining their human rights and dignity.

``Dera Ravidassia da`` 2 Frbruary 1964 AD. He Give the name Village Bal Dera. He respected saints who visited the Dera and used to exchange views on the spirituality with them. Whenever he found time he tried to meet spiritually enlightened souls.

Sant Sarwan Dass Ji was always concerned with Social well-being. When in 1932 Poona Pact was implemented by dint of hard work of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar, the fast unto death of Shri Mangoo Ram Magowalia was discontinued by serving juice at the sacred hands of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji, During his visit to Delhi in 1948 at the request of Giani Bishna Ram, Shri Faquir Singh, Shri Swaran Singh, Shri Niranjan Singh Hothi, Shri Puran Singh of Beas Pind, Shri Bhagat Singh and Shri Nama Ram Dihana, and Sant Sarwan Dass Ji used to deliver religious discourses daily at the residence of devotees. During his stay at Delhi, he alongwith Giani Bishna Ram, went to meet Dr.B.R. Ambedkar, the prophet of humanity. Dr. Sahib showed great respect to Sant Sarwan Dass Ji & was very much impressed by Sant Sarwan Dass Ji’s glowing personality and views. In 1952 Dr. Ambedkar visited Punjab. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji could not meet him personally due to some reasons but wrote a very impressive letter. To quote :

Dr. Sahib, you are a great son of community. March ahead for welfare of community & success will touch you feet and people will feel proud of you.

In 1970, a big conference was held at Dera Ballan for all-round development of dalits in which about 20,000 people participated from Punjab, Himachal, Haryana and J & K.

In those says there were stray incidents of opression and insulting the poor on the pretext of the religion, religions books, religious place, bani, Bhagat, Guru and the like. He was a great visionary saint. As if he had a premonition of future course of incidents, he held the opinion that Ravidassias should have their own supreme place of worship- the Ultimate Place of Pilgrimage. They will get emancipated when the Bani of Shri Guru Ravidass ji gets compiled to guide them. He shared his views with other leading contemporary saints, scholars, intelligentsia, dignitaries. All supported his opinion. But they extended moral support only. The onus to build a temple on the birth place of Guru Ravidass Ji fell on Sant Sarwan Dass Ji alone. He traced the birth place of Satguru Ravidass Ji at Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi. The construction of 7-storey grand temple was completed during his life-time itself. His dream was fulfilled. Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi is the supreme gift he has given to the humanity. Today pilgrims from the world over visit this holy temple and seek blessings of Satguru Ravidass Maharaj Ji.

Sant Sarwan Dass Ji fell ill. In the last satsang he held on 11th June 1972, he asked to recite

Juggan de jug beet jaange
Tainu milni na manas dehi
Juggan de jug beet jaange

After the satsang he was taken to American Hospital at Ludhiana where he left for his heavenly abode on 11th June 1972 at about 12 p.m. Huge number of followers from far and near attended his cremation on 13-6-1972 in the premesis of the Dera. His body was placed in pyre. It was lit by Sant Hari Dass Ji and Sant Garib Dass Ji. After a short while when the flames engulfed the pyre, a sudden three four feet high gush of stream of blood flowed from his body out of the pyre. It was an unprecedented phenomenon. Probably, he conveyed a message for us all for sacrifice for the poor people.

Shri 108 Sant Hari Dass Ji

Ravidass bhanai jo jaanai so jaan(u) Sant anant(i) antar nahi

Satguru Ravidass Ji says that there is no difference between an saint and the God. The saints enlighten human beings through worship of God. They get them rid of rituals and superstitions. Sant Hari Dass Ji was peace-loving, social reformer, visionary and divinely enlightened saint. He was born in 1885 in the family of revered father Hukam Chand Ji and mother Taabi Ji at village Garha near Jalandhar. His parents were religious minded. He was still a child when his parents expired. He took up occupation of shoe-making and painting. Since beginning he had leaning of hearing kirtan, singining kirtan and the company of Holy persons. He became free from worldly responsibilities after the marriage of his sister Bibi Punna Devi at village Chaheru. He cherished to find an enlightened guru.

Param paras gur bhetiay purab likhit lilat

He heard fame of Baba Pipal Dass Ji. He visited village Bal. In those days Satguru Pipal Dass Ji was staying in a small kutia. One day when Sant Hari Dass Ji visited Dera, Baba Pipal Dass Ji was not there. Sewadars told him that Baba Pipal Dass Ji had gone to village Haripur. Sant Hari Dass Ji followed and reached Haripur. At that time Baba Pipal Dass Ji was speaking in a satsang. When he looked at Baba Pipal Dass Ji he felt blissful. He felt that he had found an enlightened guru. Sant Hari Dass Ji prayed for naam-daan. Sant Pipal Dass ji told that he would come to his village a day after and that he would be initiated. Baba Pipal Dass Ji visited village Garha a day after and blessed Hari Dass Ji with naam-daan. For most of the time Sant Hari Dass Ji remained absorbed in meditation. He used to visit Dera frequently and stayed there for days together. He also developed affection and regard for Sant Sarwan Dass Ji.

Baba Pipal Dass Ji left for his heavenly abode on 26 Assu Thursday Bikrami Samvat 1985. Sant Hari Dass Ji was very sad. Baba Pipal Dass Ji had told Sant Sarwan Dass Ji that he had blessed Hari Dass Ji with the Naam Daan and that BHEKH be also blessed later. He would also come to Dera permanently. He also prophesied that Hari Dass Ji will be an enlightened saint and that he will enlighten many others. After some time he organised a Sant Sammelan at village GARHA which was attended by Sant Sarwan Dass Ji, Muslim Faqir Sayyad Ghulam Jalani and many other saints participated. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji exhorted the human beings to chant Name of God to enlighten our souls to avoil pains of Birth and Death. Faqir Sayyad Ghulam Gilani said in his speech that Sant Sarwan Dass has the Noor of Allah on his face. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji blessed BHAGWA DRESS to Sant Hari Dass Ji. Since then Sant Hari Dass Ji freed himself from worldly entanglements and belongings. He learnt Gurmukhi from Sant Sarwan Dass Ji. He studied amritbani.

Sant Hari Dass Ji was fond of planting trees in the Dera. The mango trees planted and watered by him increase beauty of the Dera even today. He used to teach the children in the Pathshala in the Dera. He often used to say that if ‘Mata shatroo pita vairi jo na balo pathita’. The parents who do not impart education to their children are their enemies. Sant Hari Dass Ji was plaim speaking. He spoke the language the children understood. He loved children very much. Sant Hari Dass Ji preached satsangat, Bhajan Simran, ekta, smaanta, Bhaichara.

On the direction of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji, he laid foundation stone of Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Seer Govardhanpur, Benaras on 14 June 1965. This is a 7-storey temple today. Devotees from all corners of India and abroad throng to this sacred place. Sant Hari Dass Ji stayed at Benaras for some days after laying the foundation stone. Imli tree under which Guru Ravidass Ji used to hold satsang was dry. Sant Hari Dass Ji watered this sacred tree so long as he remained there. The imli tree has grown up to a big green tree. Pilgrims bow before this imli tree also.

After Joti Jot samai of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji on 11 June 1972 Sant Hari Dass Ji became third Gaddi Nasheen of the Dera. He started construction of temple in the sweet memory of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji on 10th August 1972. It was completed in short span of period. It was inaugurated on 11th June 1974. Idol of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji was installed in the temple on that day. He used to say that if Sant Sarwan Dass Ji had survived for 10 more years, he would also have become a saint. He built a 5-stroey temple in a sweet memory of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji at Dera Bal. Satsang Hall was also constructed in the Dera. He always preached for naam-simran and abstaining from intoxicants.

He used to read out to the sangat

Sangat kariye saadh ki bandion kare khuda
Loha kanchan hot hai dekho paras laa.
Dekho paras laa su mat kar mano haasaa
Sabh ban chandan hot hai jahan bawan ka vaasaa.
Keh(i) girdhar kavi gai nadi sansei ki tariye
Wadde bhaag jab hoi Santan di sangat kariye.

Sant Hari Dass Ji often said that this world is musafirkhana and mithya.

Jinde meriay ni tera koi nahi, aiwen koor havelian mallian ni () chhad dena ih des ih maapian da phir aan na dekhengi galiyan ni () charkha tand na pavna mile tainu, jadon kant ne chithian ghalliyan ni () Tuun vi ronwdi jaawengi aiss shehron jiwen agliyan rondian challian ni ()

Shri Gurnam Chand Judge had 3 daughters. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji blessed. He got 2 sons also. He visited Dera in 1973. His 3 daughters and one son Bobby went to the nearby flowing canal In the course of washing hands in the running water in the canal, his son Bobby fell into the canal and drowned. After hearing this news Smt. Gurbachan Kaur fell unconscious. Sant Hari Dass Ji went to the canal with the devotees to find out the boy. After search for one hour, the boy was seen floating at a distance of 1km. in the canal. The boy was dead. The body was brought to the temple and placed before the idol of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji. The parents of the boy prayed to Sant Hari Dass Ji to have mercy. Sant Hari Dass Ji humbly prayed to Sant Sarwan Dass Ji to help and infuse breath in the boy. The boy was then sent to Dr. Shingara Singh at Jalandhar. The doctor examined the boy. The doctor told the boy that the boy was alright. The entire episode was told to the doctor. The doctor told them that it was the mercy and blessings of the saints that the boy is alive even though he drowned and floated in the canal for one hour. In the meantime, the boy came to senses. The doctor asked the boy as to what had happened. The boy told that sant khoondi de naal mainu bechaunde si, tun ithe ki karan aya si. In response to the prayer of Sant Hari Dass Ji, Sant Sarwan Dass Ji saved the boy.

Sant Hari Dass Ji left for his heavenly abode on 6th February, 1982 at 11.00 am. His Barsi is celebrated on 6th February each year with all devotion.

Shri 108 Sant Garib Dass Ji

Sant Garib Dass Ji became fourth Gaddi-Nasheen of the Dera. He inherited a rich legacy of spirituality as well as social service to humanity from his predecessor saints of the Dera. He was born in the family of revered father Nanak Chand Ji and revered mother Har Kaur Ji at village JALBHEY near Adampur in district Jalandhar in 1925. Sant Niranjan Dass Ji was appointed as his assistant. He continued the activities of the Dera, started by Sant Sarwan Dass Ji, with greater fervour and devotion. He was a qualified vaid. He treated patients. Even those patients who were suffering from serious diseases were cured.

He talked very little and always served the sangat. He used to say that speaking too much is not necessary in SEWA and SIMRAN. He first visited England in 1985 along with Sant Rama Nand Ji. The foundation stone of famous Guru Ravidass temple at Birmingham (U.K) was laid by him. It was also inaugurated by him. Foundation stone of many other Guru Ghars in India and abroad were laid by him. He blessed large number of foreign devotees with naam daan. He involved younger generation with Guru Ravidass Mission. He visited U.K. six times, America thrice and Canada once only.

His greatest contribution to human welfare was setting up of Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Hospital, at Koopur-Dhaypur (Kathar) in district Jalandhar dedicated to the memory of his Guru Sant Sarwan Dass Ji. Throughout his life he served patients. By establishing the hospitsl on 22nd October, 1982, he ensured care of the poor patients even after his death. Starting ‘Begumpura Shehar’ weekly was equally a great step in the direction of spreading Guru Ravidass Mission to the masses.

He laid foundation stone of Sant Sarwan Dass Memorial Teaching Block at Guru Ravidass ITI College, Phagwara. He built a model Sarai for stay of the pilgrims in the Dera. A grand ‘Sant Sarwan Dass Memorial Gate’ was built jointly by Sangat of village BAL and the Dera by him on Jalandhar-Pathankot Road, Bal. He got it inaugurated from Sant Ishar Dass Ji, Gopal Nagar, Jalandhar, on 11th June 1994.

On 11th June 1994 (the Barsi Smagam day of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji) he told the sangat that a big smagam will be held at Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Varanasi in the end of June 1994, and that all should accompany him. This journey was undertaken by rail from 16th June to 23rd June 1994 in which many of his followers from foreign countries also participated. It was very hot and humid in Varanasi. When the sangat asked Maharaj Ji why he chose such a weather to undertake this pilgrimage, he replied that “I wanted to show you conditions under which we worked to construct this temple.” A hugely attended Dharmik Smagam was held on this occasion. Those people who were part of this trip will never forget this pilgrimage.

Only one month after returning from Varanasi, he fell ill. He was admitted in a Jalandhar Hospital. He left for his heavenly abode on 23rd July 1994 at 2.55 PM. His body was kept for “Antim Darshan” in Sant Hari Dass Satsang Hall from 23rd to 25th July 1994 when he was cremated. Thousands of people bade him tearful farewell.

Shri 108 Sant Niranjan Dass Ji

Sant Niranjan Dass Ji became gaddinasheen of the Dera on 25-7-1994. He is a visionary, a thinker, steadfast in his convictions, divinely emancipated, perfect in simplicity, suave, accessible and truly a saint of the common man. His heart beats and soul vibrates with the sangat. He is dynamic in approach. He embodies the rich legacy of Baba Pipal Dass Ji, Swami Sarwan Dass Ji, Sant Hari Dass Ji, Sant Garib Dass Ji and his former Wazir Qaum de Amar Shaheed Sant Rama Nand Ji. Whosoever bows at his feet with purity of mind, he feels himself exalted.

He was born in the family of revered father Sadhu Ram Ji and mother Rukmani Ji on 6th January 1942 at Ramdasspur (near Alawalpur) in district Jalandhar. His parents were devotees of Baba Pipal Dass Ji and Swami Sarwan Dass Ji. They often visited this Dera and attended satsang. Child Niranjan Dass also used to come with his parents to the Dera. Swami Sarwan Dass Ji was very happy to talk with child Niranjan Dass.

Sant Niranjan Dass Ji started staying with Sant Sarwan Dass Ji at the age of 8 years. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji once asked Shri Sadhu Ram the name of this boy. He told that his name is Niranjan Dass but he is very lazy in doing work. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji said that he has named him as HAWAII GIR. This boy is not lazy but he will be even faster then wind. Shri Sadu Ram thanked Satguru Ji. Since then when Maharaj Ji called Hawaii Gir, he would come running at once.

Years gone by. Hawaii Gir had grown young. He had become more responsible now. He was very prompt in doing work. He was looking after the arrangements in the Dera himself.

Sant Niranjan Dass Ji has visited UK. USA, Canada, Spain, Holland, Italy, France, Germany, Dubai, Greece and a host of other countries along with Sant Rama Nand Ji. He laid foundations stones of Guru Ghars in all these countries.

As a Gaddi Nasheen, with the assistance of Sant Rama Nand Ji, he took keen interest in developmental work at the Dera, Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Hospital, Kathar, Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Varanasi, Begumpura Shehar weekly paper, Sant Sarwan Dass Model School Phagwara, Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Eye Hospital, Guru Ravidass Satsang Bhawan, Guru Ravidass Dharam Asthan at Sirsgarh (Haryana), Guru Ravidass Dharam Asthan at Puna, Baba Pipal Dass Ji Sadhna Sthal,Gill Patti Bhatinda and other social activities. 31 Kalshes were installed at Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Varanasi. Four storey building was constructed for stay and additional land was purchased at Varanasi for the convenience of the pilgrims. Europeans devotees offered a Golden Palki for Kashi Mandir. Gold Plating of central dome of the Kashi temple was completed and inaugurated on 30th January, 2010, the auspicious occasion of 633th Jayanti of Guru Ravidass Ji.

A special train is run from Jalandhar to Varanasi and back every year on Jyanti Purb for the convenience of the pilgrims since 2000. The Special Train Yatra is every body’s wish. It is very interesting journey.

During all these years, Qaumi Shaheed Brahmleen Sant Rama Nand Ji played key role in running the affairs of the Dera and completion of the projects under the patronage of Sant Niranjan Dass Ji. Sant Surinder Dass Bawa Ji has also been a big help in managing routine day to day affairs. After the assassination of Amar Shaheed Sant Rama Nand Ji, Sant Surinder Dass Bawa Ji extended whole-hearted support with fervour to Sant Niranjan Dass Ji. Virtually he occupied the place in the hierarchy of the Dera which was earlier held by Sant Rama Nand Ji. It was the farsightedness and vision of Sant Niranjan Dass Ji that in the changed scenario he boldly supported announcement of Ravidassia religion by the Sant Samaj and installed ‘Amrit Bani Satguru Ravidass Maharaj Ji’ at supreme Ravidassia pilgrimage – Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi immediately. The declaration of new Ravidassia religious has been received by the Ravidassia community, wherever they are, with open arms. This step has created instantly selfrespect, liberty and dignity in a Ravidassia. Now he is no longer dependent on others for puja path. His own fearless God whom the poor are so dear is all pervading and all powerful.

Neechai uooch karai meraa gobind
Kahoo te na darai.

He is as strong as rock in going ahead for Shri Guru Ravidass Mission. Entire Ravidassia community is with him.

Some of the developments which took place during his lifetime are as follows:-

1. Foundation stone of the Shri Guru Ravidass Gate at Varanasi was laid on 25th May, 1997 by Shri Kanshi Ram Ji.The inauguration of the gate was done on 16th July, 1998 by the then President of India Shri K.R. Narayanan.


2. He laid the foundation stone of Sant Sarwan Dass High School at Hadiabad, Phagwara on 16th April, 2002.The inaguration of the school was done by Sant Niranjan Dass Ji on 5th April, 2004.


3. He laid the foundation stone of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Sirsgarh Haryana on 31st July, 2003. The inaguration of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir , Sirsgarh Haryana was done by Sant Niranjan Dass Ji on 31st July, 2005.


4. He laid the foundation stone of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Katraj Pune, Maharashtra on 7th December, 2003. The inaguration of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Katraj Pune, Maharashtra was done by Sant Niranjan Dass Ji on 7th December, 2005


5. He laid the foundation stone of the Shri Guru Ravidass Satsang Bhawan on 12th March, 2000. Shri Guru Ravidass Satsang Bhawan was inagurated on 15th Feburary, 2007 on the birthday celebrations of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji.


6. He laid the foundation stone of the Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Eye Hospital at Dera Sachkhand Bal on 10th November, 2004. Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Eye Hospital was inagurated on 15th February, 2007 on the birthday celebrations of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji.


7. The holy Swarn Palki (golden palanquin) was installed in Shri Guru Ravidass Satsang Bhawan on 15th February, 2007 on the birthday celebrations of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji by Sant Niranjan Dass Ji.


8. The holy Swarn Palki (gold palanquin) was installed in Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir Varanasi on 21st February, 2008 on the birthday celebration of Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji.

Shri 108 Sant Ramanand Ji

Amar Shaheed Sant Rama Nand Ji was a unique person of Ravidassia community. His thoughts were unique, his actions were unique and his shahadat was unique. So far there is none in the history who has spread Guru Ravidass Mission to the extent he has done. He was crusader in taking Guru Ravidass Mission to new heights. He traveled extensively in all major countries of the world with Sant Garib Dass Ji and Sant Niranjan Dass Ji. He recited hoarse the bani and teachings of Guru Ravidass Ji. As if he had magic powers, when he took his seat on the stage, there was pin-drop silence among the audience and no one would leave the pandaal till the end. His explanations of inner meanings of amrit bani were immensely appealing. Great was the task of spreading Guru Ravidass Mission in the world and greater still was his zeal to do it. He was poet, a writer, singer, engineer, agriculturist, teacher, vaid, administrator, speaker, builder and above all a spiritually enlightened saint. He worked tirelessly for uniting masses in the spirit of

satsangat mil raheeye maadho
jaise madhup makheera.

He valued the writers, orators, singers, and others who made significant contribution in field of Guru Ravidass Mission and Dr. Ambedkar Mission. He honoured more than 51 such distinguished persons with gold medals.

Sant Rama Nand Ji was born in the family of his revered father Mehanga Ram and mother Jeet Kaur Ji on 2nd February, 1952 at Ramdasspur near Alawalpur in district Jalandhar. He was a tyaag murti since boyhood. He graduated himself from Doaba college Jalandhar in 1972. He liked company of the holy persons. Members of his family did not like it. For most of his time he remained busy in SIMRAN. However, after some time, Sant Hari Dass Ji initiated him. He was blessed with Bhekh by Sant Garib Dass Ji. Whenever Brahmleen Sant Garib Dass Ji and Gaddi Nasheen Sant Niranjan Dass Ji visited a foreign country, Sant Rama Nand Ji always accompanied them. He was instrumental in inspiring foreign Sangat to Naam Simran. The audience were, indeed, spell bound while listening his satsang.

He was an able administrator. He was the chief executive of the Dera. Under the guidance of Sant Niranjan Dass Ji, he ran the dera management most efficiently. He himself monitored the performance of each project.

Sant Rama Nand Ji will be ever remembered for his unparallelled contribution is dissemination of teachings and Bani of Guru Ravidass Ji throughout the world. He was a tireless preacher. He could handle the stage of lacs of audience. He was soft spoken but strict in his principles.

He was editor of ‘Begumpura Shehar’ weekly and an award was conferred on him by Bhartiya Dalit Sahitya Academy for his contribution to Dalit Sahitya. He was first in history to read out his speech on Guru Ravidass Ji in British Parliament on 28th May, 2007. He was a scholar of Bani.

The immediate impact of Shihadat of Sant Rama Nand Ji was that the entire Ravidassia qaum in India was united at one platform. When we make indepth critical study of past history of Ravidassia community, we find that these people have since beginning been making efforts to regain their lost glory. They had carried out strong movements as detailed below for their liberty:

All these movements were started for separate identity of Ravidassia Qaum. In foreign countries the Ravidssias have aleady got registered their community as Ravidassia and they have already got their Har(i) da nishan registered with the authorities concerned. There were massive protests and demonstrations in all countries of the world against the assassination of Sant Rama Nand Ji. Entire world now recognizes that there is Ravidassia Qaum.

In this background there was introspection, contemplation and deliberations by the Ravidassia community all over the world. The result of all this exercise was that Ravidassia Religion and ‘Amritbani Satguru Ravidass Maharaj Ji’ as religious book were announced on 30th January, 2010 by the Sant Samaj in the presence of more than 10 lakhs of Ravidassia followers at Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi, on the auspicious occasion of 633rd Jyanti of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji. It was vociferously welcomed by all the followers present at the function. They shouted loud slogans “Jo bole so nirbhai, Satguru Ravidass Maharaj ki Jai”. Utmost happiness prevailed among Ravidassias in the world. ‘Amritbani Satguru Ravidass Maharaj Ji’ was installed immediately at Shri Guru Ravidass janam Asthan Mandir, Seer Govardhanpur, Varanasi. All people could have darshan of Guru Ravidass Ji in the full moon on that night. This phenomenon was never witnessed before. It is a good omen for announcement of Ravidassia Religion.