Muzaffarnagar (UP), Jun 11 (PTI) Shukteerth is not just a spiritual site but a living testimony to India's 5,000-year-old cultural and religious heritage, which is singular in the world, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said.
Addressing a gathering of saints on the 65th death anniversary of Swami Gyan Bhikshuk Das Ji Maharaj, Adityanath said, "When the country was struggling under foreign invasions during the medieval period and its culture and religion were under attack, Satguru Ravidas Ji emerged as a divine light."
Ravidas led by example, offering the nation spiritual guidance that still resonates today, he said.
"He raised awareness against social evils and blind practices, inspired faith in action over ritual, and kindled spiritual consciousness," Adityanath said, and quoted the saint's famous saying, 'Mann changa to katoti mein Ganga' — If the mind is pure, divinity resides even in the smallest vessel.
The gathering also remembered Satguru Samandas Ji Maharaj.
Adityanath said saints have always had a role in building a cohesive society.
"It is this path that prevents (reported exodus) incidents like those in Kairana and Kandhla, provides us security, guidance, and the courage to face adversity," he said.
He paid his tributes to Shukteerth as the place that has "stood for over 5,000 years."
"If there is any tradition in the world with such a long documented history, let it come forward. Only you (referring to the saints) can lay claim to such an eternal heritage," he said.
Shukteerth, or Shukratal, in Muzaffarnagar draws pilgrims from across India.
It is the site where Sukadeva Goswami is believed to have recited the Srimad-Bhagavatam to King Parikshit, Abhimanyu's son, nearly 5,000 years ago.
Nestled along the banks of the Ganga River, the destination lies approximately 28 kilometres from Muzaffarnagar.
Ravidas, Adityanath noted, said he would be happy only when every person gets equal rights and food without discrimination.
That ambition, he said, was fulfilled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, under which 81 crore people received free food grains, even during the pandemic.
"This is the true spirit of the saints' teachings," he said.
The CM said that before 2014, roads to Sant Ravidas' birthplace Sear Govardhan were single-lane. It is now connected via a four-lane road. A grand ashram, a magnificent statue, and an 'Anna Kshetra' have been built in the area. Land has been acquired for a park and statue in tribute to the saint, he said.
The BJP leader also said that a ghat and a parking lot will be developed around the Samandas Ashram, roads there will be widened and the area beautified.
He also criticised past governments for "failing" to honour BR Ambedkar adequately.
"It was PM Modi who first commemorated Ambedkar through the establishment of Panchteerths and declared November 26 as Constitution Day. No government had done this between 1949 and 2015," he said.