Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan for Sant Ravidas’s 650th year
On 29 July 2026, Guru Purnima, the UP Chief Minister launched the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan at Seer Govardhan, Varanasi, the birthplace of Sant Ravidas, to mark the saint’s 650th Prakash Varsh. The drive runs till Maghi Purnima on 20 February. Kalash with sacred soil were handed to representatives of all 75 districts.
- Date
- 29 Jul 2026 (Guru Purnima)
- Place
- Seer Govardhan, Varanasi
- Occasion
- 650th Prakash Varsh of Sant Ravidas
- Campaign
- Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan, to Maghi Purnima (20 Feb)
- Districts
- all 75 got sacred-soil kalash
The Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan: what happened?
Sant Ravidas was a Bhakti saint of Kashi who preached equality and rejected caste discrimination. The State is using his 650th year for a social harmony campaign across villages.
- At Seer Govardhan, Varanasi, the CM launched the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan for the 650th year of Sant Ravidas, running from Guru Purnima to 20 February Maghi Purnima. [UP CM press note]
- He said a leather park will be named after Sant Ravidas and a textile programme after Sant Kabir. [UP CM press note]
What was announced?
- A leather park will be named after Sant Ravidas, and a new textile programme after Sant Kabirdas.
- Bhadohi district will again be known as Sant Ravidas Nagar; the State will take this forward.
- A residential school in Sant Ravidas’s name in every district, on the lines of Atal Awasiya Vidyalaya.
- Canopies over public statues and boundary walls for parks named after Sant Ravidas, Maharshi Valmiki and Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
- Slum renewal schemes in UP will be dedicated to Sant Ravidas and Maharshi Valmiki.
What did Ravidas teach?
- An equal society free of caste discrimination: “Aisa chahun raj main, jahan mile saban ko ann”.
- “Man changa to kathauti mein Ganga”: a pure mind matters more than ritual.
- His guru, as per the press note, was Jagadguru Ramanandacharya.
What can Prelims ask on the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan?
- Sant Ravidas’s birthplace: Seer Govardhan, Varanasi.
- “Man changa to kathauti mein Ganga” is linked to Sant Ravidas.
- Bhadohi district was earlier named Sant Ravidas Nagar.
Read all of July 2026 in the monthly UP current affairs compilation →
How to use this in Mains
- Naming a leather park after Ravidas ties a Bhakti saint to the trade of his community.
Quotable data pointAt Seer Govardhan, Varanasi, the CM launched the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan for the 650th year of Sant Ravidas, running from Guru Purnima to 20 February Maghi Purnima [UP CM press note].
UP Information Dept, CM press note 2026-07-29: मुख्यमंत्री ने सीर गोवर्धन, जनपद वाराणसी में सद्गुरु संत श्री रविदास जी महाराज के 650वें प्रकाश वर्ष के अवसर पर ‘समरस संकल्प अभियान’ का शुभारम्भ किया (Hindi PDF)
Exam angle
GS-V/VI: Bhakti saints of UP. Note Seer Govardhan, the 650th Prakash Varsh and the Bhadohi renaming plan.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The saying "Man changa to kathauti mein Ganga" is associated with
Answer (b) & explanation
UP CM press note, 29 Jul 2026.
Seer Govardhan, the birthplace of Sant Ravidas, is in
Answer (b) & explanation
UP CM press note, 29 Jul 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is the Samrasta Sankalp Abhiyan?
A social harmony campaign launched on 29 July 2026 for Sant Ravidas's 650th Prakash Varsh, running till Maghi Purnima on 20 February.
Where was Sant Ravidas born?
At Seer Govardhan in Varanasi.
What will Bhadohi be called?
Sant Ravidas Nagar again, as per the CM.
Keep studying
Go deeper
facts from cited sources only; numbers machine-checked against source text; faculty review pending