Researching Our Past

Big questions

Finding Answers

Just reflecting back to the sixties, the key questions were asked about the history of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji’s birth place. It is understood that the topic at hand is the history of the Guru Ravidass Dharmik Sabha, Wolverhampton but the credit must also be given to those who played a prominent role in discovering the exact birthplace of Satguru Ravidass Ji which was also discussed in the temple meetings. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji, Dera Sach Khand Ballan, in the early sixties had initiated the process to send messangers across “Kanshi” U.P now called “Varanasi”. One such devoted person named Sh. Banta Ram Ghera Ji of the of village Aima Kazi-a true son of the community had been given the task and consequently discovered the very “tamarind” (Imli) tree under which Satguru Ravidass ji sat and earned his living. He had enough information about the Birthplace of the Master and it was all authentic.

There was an ongoing communication with education institutions to establish a “Chair” to carry out research on the life and mission of Guru Ravidass ji in India.

One such contact was with the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr. Kirpal Singh Narang, a well known scholar and an authority on Sikh History.

Anyone holding the records of the initial work will find that a collection of memorandums, letters or other documents were written by Mr. Amar Chand Mahay. It would not be wrong to say that when Dr. Dharam Pal Singal was appointed as the person who occupied the chairing the research on Guru Ravidass Ji was the result of all the painstaking effort by this very dedicated person.

It is greatly emphasised that all communication at political level was a constant reminder that we are hurt by the atrocities committed on the poor and backward classes and a request to hear their cries and put an end to such discriminatory practises.

To to sum up all the achievements of Shri Guru Ravidass Dharmik Sabha Wolverhampton, those who were involved in whatever capacity have witnessed a wave eventually becoming like a Tsunami a spark that ignited, as all over UK and almost every town/city has a Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, in most European cities, where a lot of the youth from India have migrated, there are temples opened in countries like, France(Paris), Austria(Vienna), Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, extending to International borders, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and USA.

In Punjab, India, there are about 12,800 villages and almost every village has a temple in the name of Satguru Ravidass ji and the Sabha contributed to many temples opened in the name of Guru Ji in these villages. A temple in Junagarh, Gujrat, In Tughlakabad New Delhi, in memory of the historical event of a meeting between Sikandar Lodhi and Satguru Ravidass ji. A great monument in “Kanshi” now called Varanasi, the birthplace of Satguru Ravidass ji, where hundreds of thousands visit each year, both nationally and Internationally, to pay homage to the great icon.

Like a banyan tree spreads all across, the teaching of Satguru Ji has been taken to almost every household. Efforts are being made to pursue the further development of the college in Hoshiarpur Road, Phagwara, Punjab, India.

Finally we hope this is suffice at this stage as an introduction to the brief history of this temple for the sake of future generations. It is imperative and paramount that they are aware and knowledgeable enough about the journey, struggles, achievements and accomplishments in spearheading the mission and teachings of Satguru Ravidass Ji and raising the issues and concerns of our community in India and here. We hope that the future generations learn and continue the mission of our elders seriously and continue to make their contributions, passionately, generously, impartially and fearlessly in the future.

The obligations now lie with them.