Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has announced February 12 as a public holiday in honour of Guru Ravidas Jayanti. Previously, the occasion was observed as a ‘Restricted Holiday’ (RH), allowing employees to choose whether to take leave or work.
With this decision, all government offices and institutions in Delhi will remain closed on February 12 to mark the birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas. The move is expected to be welcomed by his devotees, who hold the day in high spiritual regard.
An official order issued by LG Saxena stated, “The Lt Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi is pleased to declare Wednesday, February 12, 2025, as a Holiday in all Government Offices, Autonomous Bodies & Public Undertakings, under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, on account of Guru Ravidas Jayanti.”
Guru Ravidas, born in 1377 CE in Manduadih, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was a saint-poet, social reformer, and spiritual leader of the Bhakti movement. He worked toward eradicating caste-based discrimination and promoting equality, dignity, and gender parity. He was also the spiritual mentor of Meera Bai. His followers commemorate his birth anniversary with rituals such as ‘aarti,’ ‘nagar kirtan,’ and holy dips in sacred rivers.
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The LG’s decision follows the BJP’s landslide victory in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections, where it won 48 out of 70 seats, significantly reducing AAP’s previous tally from 62 to 22 seats. Meanwhile, the Congress failed to secure any seats in the capital.
