Shri Guru Ravi Dass Gurudwara a.k.a AD Punjab Association. Nasinu Gurudwara "Fiji Island"

In 1943 First Shree Guru Ravidass Gurudwara was established in Nasinu 6 miles.The founding fathers of this Guru Ravidass Gurudwara (a.k.a.) AD-Punjab Association came from Punjab India in early 1900s. Registered trustee's are Mr. Lachhu Ram a.k.a. Lachhu Sheemar (f/n) Khema Ram, Mr. Rakha Ram (f/n)Phila Ram, Mr. Bakshi Ram (f/n) Melu Ram, Mr. Khushi Ram (f/n) Atchu Ram, Mr. Mehnga Ram (f/n) Nathu Ram.(1986)

Background

The details of Guru Ravidass' life are controversial. According to some he was born in 1376/7 or else 1399 CE but many scholars offer later dates. Schaller estimates his lifespan as 1450-1520[4] while the Encyclopædia Britannica contents itself with a floreat of 15th-16th century CE.[5] Partly this is due to traditions that make him, the guru of Meera (according to a song attributed to her:[6] "guru miliyaa raidasjee"). However, as Schaller points out, the importance of such claims lies in their establishing the authority of a lineage of gurus (parampara). One may count oneself a disciple of a master without having actually met him.

His origin and parents are also given differently. According to history he was born in a village named Seer Govardhanpur, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India: his father Baba Santokh Das was a leather merchant (chamar) and Mata Kalsa Devi was his mother. His father got him married to Mata Lona Devi at early age and according to the Ravidas Purana he had a son named Vijaydas. A region between Ahmednagar and Benares is named after him.

The queen of Chittorgarh is said to have been a disciple (this may be connected with Meera, who was married to the ruler of Chittorgarh). It is said that the conservative Brahmins of Kashi could not stand the popularity of this "untouchable saint". A complaint was made to the king that he was working against age-old norms of social order (varnashrama dharma) - a cobbler was not supposed to talk of God or do work of advising or teaching. The ruler arranged for an assembly of learned men. Ravidas was also invited and was felicitated publicly. A procession was arranged (shobha yatra) and the king himself participated.

Begumpura Shehr

("land without sorrow") is a term coined in a poem by Guru Ravidass. Begampura is the name of an idealized city where there is no suffering or fear, and all are equal[7]. The verse is seen as reflecting both a sense of poverty and caste humiliation, and a desire to find a utopia without suffering:

The regal realm with the sorrowless name they call it Begumpura, a place with no pain, no taxes or cares, none owns property there, no wrongdoing, worry, terror, or torture. Oh my brother, I've come to take it as my own, my distant home, where everything is right... They do this or that, they walk where they wish, they stroll through fabled palaces unchallenged. Oh, says Ravidas, a tanner now set free, those who walk beside me are my friends.

Guru Ravidass & Kabir

Guru Ravidass is also associated with other great north Indian Saints. And one among them is Sant Kabir. Both of them sung poems relating to elimination of caste and elimination of Brahminism and in a great story where a great debate between them is represented as a saguna versus nirguna (without qualities) devotion debate.[9] The Dohas and Bhakti songs written by Guru Ravidass have always taught to spread love and care among the people’s hearts. Also tried to bring the Hindus and Muslims together and this is evident from his thoughts which have been expressed in his songs. Guru Ravidass uttered his belief saying that:

"Ka Mathura, Ka Dwarika, Ka Kashi Haridwar,Raidas Khoja Dil Aapna, Teh Miliya Dildar", That is one can meet God in his own heart even if he does not go on any pilgrimage.

Splitting from Sikhism

Guru Ravidass fulfilled Guru Nanak Dev's request by donating old manuscripts, which contained a collection of Guru Ravidass' verses and poems. The earliest collection of these poems are available in the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy book). It was complied by Arjan Dev, the fifth guru of the Sikhs. It contains 41 verses by Guru Ravidass. However, after the conflict between Ravidassias and Sikhs, the Ravidassias split from Sikhism, forming the Ravidassia religion with a new holy book, Amritbani Guru Ravidass Ji. Based entirely on the writings and teaching of Guru Ravidass, it contains 240 hymns[10] and all Ravidassias temples utilize it.

Guru Ravidass is regarded as a major figure in the Bhakti Movement, a Hindu religious movement which opposed caste considerations. Guru Ravidass taught in times dominated by the rigidity and narrow-mindedness of the caste system, but he upheld the equality of all mankind saying, "the deed, not the creed, makes man high or low". He emphasized the fundamental tenets underlying all religions. As a proponent of the Bhakti Movement, his contribution was truly great, spreading the philosophy of spiritual self-realization through Bhakti, and dispelling the darkness of "ajnana", with "jnana" (wisdom). Born in humble surroundings in the house of a cobbler, Guru Ravidass emerged as a great philosopher-poet and social reformer of his age. It is said that when his father gave him money to establish himself in the family business, Guru Ravidass instead spent the money to help the poor and needy. Guru Ravidass, being a 'charmkar' by birth was denied entry into temples. The maharaja and rani of Chittor became his disciples, and the poetess-saint Meera adopted him as her spiritual guru. In his teachings, Guru Ravidass says: "God is everywhere, in you and me."

How to escape? I recite the name Ram. Lord, if you are sandalwood, I am water; With the fragrance in all parts of my body. Lord, if you are a cloud, I am a peacock; Looking for you like a chakora for the moon. Lord, if you are a lamp, I am the wick; With a light burning day and night. Lord, if you are a pearl, I am the thread; Together like gold and bracelet. Lord, you are the master and I servant; thus is the devotion of Raidas.[11]