The Legend Guru Ravidass Ji Team ©
 
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Gaddi-Nashin Shri 108 Sant Niranjan Dass Ji Maharaj
          Sant Niranjan Dass Ji was born on 5th January, 1942 at village Ramdass Pur near Allawalpur in District Jalandhar to father Shri Sadhu Ram Ji and mother Shrimati Rukmani Ji. His father and mother were devotees of Shri 108 Sant Baba Pipal Dass Ji and Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Dass Ji. Whenever they were free from home chores they used to visit Dera Ballan, listen to the sermons and do seva at the Dera. They were always accompanied by their loving son Niranjan Dass. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji was very happy to see the child. (Sant Niranjan Dass Ji).
  
           Shri Sadhu Ram Ji, father of Sant Niranjan Dass Ji decided to offer his son at the holy feet of Sant Sarwan Dass
Ji. From that point onwards Sant Niranjan Dass remained at the Dera and started doing Sewa at the Dera-attending to miscellaneous jobs which he used to do running about. Seeing the speed at which he used to perform his tasks, Sant
Sarwan Dass Ji named him "Hawaigar" ("speedy one"). He grew up doing service at  the feet of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji and later with Sant Hari Dass Ji and Sant Garib Dass Ji. After Sant Garib Dass Ji left for his heavenly abode on 23rd July 1994,  Sant Niranjan Dass Ji was installed as Gaddi-Nashin (spiritual leader) of Dera Sachkhand Bal on 9th August, 1994. He started with the development of all projects devoted to the service of humankind in right earnest and the Dera has made tremendous progress under his guidance.  

        Some of the developments which took place during his lifetime are as follows:

(1) Foundation stone of the Shri Guru Ravidass Gate at Varanasi was laid on 25th May, 1997 by Shri Kanshi Ram Ji.The inauguration of the gate was done on
16th July, 1998 by the then President of India Shri K.R. Narayanan. 

(2) He laid the foundation stone of Sant Sarwan Dass High School at Hadiabad, Phagwara on 16th April, 2002.The inaguration of the school was done by Sant Niranjan Dass Ji on 5th April, 2004.

(3) He laid the foundation stone of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Sirsgarh Haryana on 31st July, 2003. The inaguration of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir , Sirsgarh Haryana was done by Sant Niranjan Dass Ji on 31st July, 2005.

(4) He laid the foundation stone of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Katraj Pune, Maharashtra on 7th December, 2003. The inaguration of Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Katraj Pune, Maharashtra was done by Sant Niranjan Dass Ji on 7th December, 2005

(5) He laid the foundation stone of the Shri Guru Ravidass Satsang Bhawan on 12th March, 2000. Shri Guru Ravidass Satsang Bhawan was inagurated on 15th Feburary, 2007 on the birthday celebrations of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji.

(6) He laid the foundation stone of the Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Eye Hospital at Dera Sachkhand Bal on 10th November, 2004. Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Eye Hospital was inagurated on 15th February, 2007 on the birthday celebrations of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji. 

(7) The holy Swarn Palki (golden palanquin) was installed in Shri Guru Ravidass Satsang Bhawan on 15th February,  2007 on the birthday celebrations of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji by Sant Niranjan Dass .

(8)  The holy Swarn Palki (gold palanquin) was installed in Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir Varanasi on 21st February, 2008 on the birthday celebration of Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji.

 
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Brahmleen Shri 108 Sant Rama Nand Ji Maharaj
          Some unique personalities take birth in this wonderful world who become immortal through their great deeds in service of society. However true saints are beacon of enlightenment for entire humanity. Divisions based on country borders, colour, caste and creed are meaningless for them. Saints are like dense shade of banyan providing shelter and solace through cool westerly breeze against extreme heat generated by misdeeds of human beings.

           Sant Rama Nand Ji’s father Shri Mehnga Ram Ji and other ancestors, who were devotees of Dera Sachkhand Ballan, migrated from village Ballan during 1910-15 to settle down at village Alawalpur, district Jalandhar. Nature finds unique ways to create new historic events. Something similar happened in the lives of this family. Leading a normal married life, Shri Mehnga Ram Ji and Bibi Jeet Kaur Ji never thought that they would be blessed with a son who would unite the entire depressed community like beads of a rossary and play a marvelous role in bringing all round glory to a place of worship Dera Sachkhand Ballan known to the whole world which future generations shall always be really proud of. Because of untiring efforts of Sat Guru Swami Niranjan Dass Ji and Sant Rama Nand Ji, now Dera Sachkhand Ballan is known as Mecca for all humanity and especially for dalits. It has always been the motto of present spiritual leaders to understand and appreciated the great legacy of past spiritual leaders and move forwards on the foot prints left by them.

              Shri 108 Sant Rama Nand Ji was born on February 2, 1952 in  the house of blessed parents Shri Mehnga Ram Ji and Shrimati Jeet Kaur Ji. He was of saintly nature from the very birth. His charming looks created a captivating spell on the people of the locality. He completed his graduation from Doaba College, Jalandhar. He invariably used to be in deep thoughts as a student. He liked company of saints from his childhood which had to lead him to divine enlightenment because of his devotion. Some members of the family started strong opposition demanding that Rama Nand should be kept away from the company
of saints. There were frequent religious discourse in the house. Sant Rama Nand Ji used to pray to God every moment in meditation even while carrying out domestic work. Ultimately, Rama Nand Ji was at service of the sacred feet of Shri 108 Sant Hari Dass Ji, Dera Sachkhand, Ballan. He was blessed with ‘Naamdaan’ by Shri 108 Sant Hari Dass Ji. Sant Rama Nand Ji continued meditation of God while staying in the beautiful temple built in memory of Baba Pipal Dass Ji at village Ballan from 1973 onwards. Sant Rama Nand Ji remained in service of the devotees and conducted religious discourses singing devotional hymns daily during the life times of Brahamlin Shri 108 Sant Hari Dass Ji and Shri 108 Sant Garib Dass Ji.

           It is worth elaboration here that Sant Rama Nand Ji received ‘Naamdaan’ from Shri 108 Sant Hari Dass Ji and he was initiated as a saint by Shri 108 Sant Garib Dass Ji. He also had the good fortune of travelling with the latter to several countries for preaching and spread of teaching of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji. Latter he visited several countries under the directions of present spiritual head Shri 108 Sant Niranjan Dass Ji and helped construction of many temples and linking devotees in foreign countries with the preaching of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji. He endeared himself amongst all foreign devotees. Devotees were left spell bound after listening to the sweet melodies of his spiritual discourses.

         He was an able administrator who managed the affairs of Dera in an elegant manner. While preaching and spreading the teachings of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji through congregation of saints throughout the world, he always played leading role in carrying out the various tasks in the service of humanity under many charitable projects run by Dera Sachkhand Ballan. He provided praise-worthy services as Editor of ‘Begampura Shaher’ published by Dera Sachkhand Ballan for which he was honored by Dalit Literary Academy with a prestigious award. It was for the first time when he created history delivering his speech about Shri Guru Ravidass Ji at the House of Commons in United Kingdom. He was a great scholar of Gurbani and expert in explaining complicated details of same through extremely simple examples. Whenever he rendered hymns accompanied by spiritual music, all devotees present at the site remained spell bound.

          Not only he established Shri Guru Ravidass Sangeet Academy at Dera Sachkhand Ballan but his visionary instincts could identified many talented missionary singers, poets and writers who were honored with gold medals. Jalandhar Doordarshan telecasts programmes named "Amritbani Shri Guru Ravidass Ji" and "Begampura Shahar Ka Nao" rendered in his captivating voice.

          Sant Rama Nand Ji made very special contribution to the construction of buildings of various institutions being run by Dera Sachkhand Ballan. When the new buildings of following establishments were under construction, Sant Rama Nand Ji used to take a leading role as a skilled worker and despite request from devotees for taking rest, he lead by example working for hours giving inspiration to one and all :
 
Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir, Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi.
Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Hospital, Adda Kathar.
Shri Guru Ravidass Satsang Bhawan, Ballan.
Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir Hadiabad, Phagwara. 
Sant Sarwan Dasss Model High School Hadiabad, Phagwara.
Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Eye Hospital, Ballan.
Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Sirgarh, Haryana.
Karambhumi of Baba Pipal Dass Ji and birth place of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji, Gill Patti, Bathinda.
Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir, Katraj,  Pune.

          Sant Rama Nand Ji was an untiring and determined warrior who worked day and night to accomplish the missionary tasks without ever feeling tired or upset. He often used to say "Whatever time one can devote in service of Maharaj Ji, only that is useful, how does one know whether any opportunity will be available again or not".

          While Shri 108 Sant Nirinjan Dass Ji, present spiritual head, Dera Sachkhand Ballan and minister of Guru-Ghar exponent of Gurbani kirtan, devotee of God, great ‘Vaidya’, epicenter of Shri Guru Ravidass Mission and precious diamond of Sant samaj Shri 108 Sant Rama Nand Ji were on a mission to preach and spread the teaching of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji, enemies of humanity attacked and seriously injured them inside  Shri Guru Ravidass Mandir in Vienna, Austria. Even after being hit by bullets, Sant Rama Nand Ji continued to chant name of Jagatguru Ravidass Ji echoing that he still wanted to do a lot for preaching and spread of his mission. But destiny willed otherwise and he left this short lived world for his heavenly abode early morning on 25th May, 2009

           Sant Rama Nand Ji embraced martyrdom while relentlessly spreading the preaching of Jagatguru Ravidass Ji Maharaj "Satsangat Mil Rahiye Madho Jaise Madhup Makhira" (O God! bless us to remain united in prayers like honey bees) advising till his departure for his heavenly abode, the followers of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji to stay always united at the world level.

            Sant Rama Nand Ji is no more physically with us because of most unfortunate incidence at Vienna, Austria, but his noble thoughts shall always be with us to lead us on the right path.


 
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Brahmleen Shri 108 Sant Garib Dass Ji Maharaj
          Sant Garib Dass Ji was born in the year 1925 in a village called Jalbhe which is in Jalandhar District. His father was Shri Nanak Chand and mother Shrimati Har Kaur Ji. When he was only six months old his father expired. After this tragic incident his mother took care of the little child. He was the youngest of five brothers.

          He used to visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan occasionally. The teaching and ideology of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji impressed him greatly. So he started coming to the Dera more often. Within a short period he won the heart of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji.

          Shri Kartar Chand took the 13 year old Garib Dass Ji to Ludhiana for helping him in the business of silk weaving. There he received a letter from Sant Sarwan Dass Ji asking him to come to the Dera immediately for some urgent work. Without wasting any time he reached the Dera. There he was instructed to remain in the Dera from that point onwards. He humbly followed the instructions of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji.

         One day Sant Sarwan Dass Ji told him, "Garib Dass, detach  yourself from the materialistic world and serve the Almighty God." "Har ke naam bin jhuthe sakal pasare". Garib Dass Ji very  obediently prostrated at the feet of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji and vowed to devote his  whole life to the service of Almighty God and Humanity. Apart from delving into  the fathoms of Gurbani, he learned to prepare Ayurvedic medicines and treated  many patients who came to the Dera with various ailments. The young boy had now  grown in wisdom and stature under the patronage of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji and in  the company of Sant Hari Dass Ji. Therefore Swami Sarwan Dass Ji used to entrust  him with many jobs of responsibility. Whereas Sant Sarwan Dass Ji had deputed  Sant Hari Dass Ji to lay the foundation stone of the Janam Asthan Mandir at  Varanasi, the task of actual construction of the Mandir was entrusted to Sant  Garib Dass Ji. He used to lead a team of Sewadars to Varanasi for this purpose. Construction of the temple was completed by him in the most difficult conditions and challenging circumstances.

         When Sant Garib Dass Ji became the Gaddi-Nashin (spiritual leader) of Dera Sachkhand Bal on 7th February, 1982 he wanted to construct a hospital in the memory of his Guru, for giving medical aid to the poor people. A milestone in the history of the Dera Sachkhand Bal was created on 22nd October, 1982 when Sant Garib Dass Ji laid the foundation stone for Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Hospital at village Dheypur-Koopur, Adda Kathar. This hospital made a humble beginning with it’s inauguration on 1st January, 1984. Today it is a 150 bed hospital providing quality service in eight specialties at very nominal rates to the people who cannot afford costly medical aid. For those people who cannot meet even the nominal rates, the expenditure is met by Dera Sachkhand Bal. Additionally all expenditure of capital nature such as machinery or building extensions is met by the Dera.

            Sant Garib Dass Ji also realised the importance of having a newspaper, which would serve the cause of the  community. So he started a weekly named ‘Begumpura Shaher’, thus giving a voice to the poor people.

             During his lifetime the Langer Hall and major portion of Yatri Niwas at the Dera were built.

            He laid the foundation stone of Sant Sarwan Dass teaching block in the Industrial Training Institute at Phagwara and got a spacious hall built there. 

            During his lifetime, he wanted to see the Janam Asthan Mandir at Varanasi in full glory. He got "Swarn Kalash" installed at the Mandir in the Presence of Babu Kanshi Ram Ji. He paid a historic visit to the Mandir along with a number of Dera followers from 16th June to 23rd June 1994 as if he had a premonition that he will be leaving this world very soon. One month after returning from Varanasi, he left for his heavenly abode on 23rd July, 1994.


 
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Brahmleen Shri 108 Sant Hari Dass Ji Maharaj
         Shri 108 Sant Hari Dass Ji Maharaj was the third Gaddi-Nashin (spiritual leader) of Dera Sachkhand, Ballan. Sant Hari Dass Ji was born in 1895 at village Garha in Jalandhar District. His father was Shri Hukum Chand Ji and his mother was Shrimati Taabi Ji. He used to take interest in religious matters since his childhood. 

          Sant Hari Dass Ji had heard about Baba Pipal Dass Ji from the followers of Baba Ji. He showed keen interest to meet Baba Ji. After meeting Baba Ji, Sant Hari Dass Ji requested Baba Ji to give him the gift of "Naamdaan". Baba Pipal Dass Ji Maharaj accepted his request and initiated him. After receiving "Naamdaan", Sant Hari Dass Ji devoted his entire life to serving Baba Ji & later his son Sant Sarwan Dass Ji.

         Sant Sarwan Dass Ji always kept Sant Hari Dass Ji with him, showed great affection for him and deputed him for important religious duties. He was specially assigned the task of laying the foundation stone of Shri Guru Ravidass Janam Asthan Mandir at Seer Goverdhanpur, Varanasi. This historic task was done by him on 14th June, 1965 along with the followers of Dera Sachkhand Bal.

          After Sant Sarwan Dass Ji left for his heavenly abode on 11th June, 1972, Sant Hari Dass Ji was installed as Gaddi-Nashin (spiritual leader) of Dera Sachkhand, Bal.

          Sant Hari Dass Ji started the construction of the temple at Dera Bal on 10th Aug, 1972 in the memory of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji Maharaj. Within one year the construction of the temple was completed and it was inaugurated on 11th June, 1973 on the first Barsi Samagam (anniversary celebrations) of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji. The murti (marble sculpture) of Sant Sarwan Dass Ji Maharaj was installed in the temple. This temple is famously known as "Dera Sachkhand Bal".

             He also constructed a hall for the devotees. This hall is known as the "Sant Hari Dass Satsang Hall".

             He was against child marriage. He bestowed "Naamdaan" on thousands of disciples.

             Sant Hari Dass Ji left for his heavenly abode on 6th Feb, 1982. Every year on 7th of February, Hari Manav Ekta Sant Sammelan is celebrated in the memory of Sant Hari Dass Ji, at Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Hospital, Kathar, District Jalanadhar.

 
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Brahmleen Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Dass Ji Maharaj
          Sant Sarwan Dass Ji always remained with Baba Pipal Dass Ji during his religious sojourn to various villages. He took to meditation of God at a very early age. He was bestowed with "Naamdaan" from Sant Harnaam Dass Ji. After Baba Pipal Dass Ji left for his heavenly abode in the year 1928, he started initiating the disciples of the Dera onto the spiritual path. He healed thousands of his followers through his spiritual power and free Ayurvedic medicines.

          He envisaged a great awakening and empowerment of human beings through education. Therefore, he laid great stress on the education of children. He firmly believed that those parents who do not care for the education of their children are their greatest enemy. He translated this idea in his own life by collecting children from adjoining villages in his "Kutia" and teaching them, providing them with all facilities and incentives. Those whom he taught during his life time fondly remember and revere him and are now helping generously in establishing educational and health institutions devoted to his memory.

           During Sant Sarwan Dass Ji's visit to Delhi in the year 1948 at the request of Giani Bishna Ram, S. Faqir Singh, S. Swaran Singh, S. Niranjan Singh Hothi Bal, S. Puran Singh, S Bhagat Singh, Shri Nama Ram Leel, Sant Sarwan Dass Ji used to deliver religious sermons at the residence of devotees. During his stay at Delhi, Sant Sarwan Dass Ji along with Giani Bishna Ram, went to meet Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Dr. sahib showed great respect to Sant Sarwan Dass Ji and was very much impressed by Sant Sarwan Dass Ji’s personality and views.

             In 1952 Dr. Ambedkar visited Punjab. Sant Sarwan Dass Ji could not meet him personally but wrote a very moving letter to him.
              

 
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                The first spiritual Master of Dera Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Dass Sachkhand Bal was Shri 108 Sant Baba Pipal Dass Ji, who hailed from village Gill Patti, District Bathinda (Punjab). His original name was Shri Harnam Dass Ji. His parents were of a religious nature. He was married to Bibi Shobhawanti Ji. He and his wife had two sons named Shri Sewa Dass Ji and Shri Sarwan Dass Ji. After the sad demise of Bibi Shobhawanti Ji, Baba Pipal Dass Ji left village Gill Patti along with his son Sarwan Dass Ji. After traveling through various villages Baba Pipal Dass Ji reached village Sarmastpur near Jalandhar. After a short stay in this village he moved to the village of Ballan near Jalandhar. The people of Ballan showed utmost regard to Baba Ji. Therefore, he decided to stay there along with his son Sarwan Dass Ji at a place where the original Dera is situated at present. There was a dry Pipal tree near this place of worship. Baba Pipal Dass Ji started watering this Pipal tree which ultimately became green in due course of time. People of the village, having seen this miracle, started calling Baba Ji as Sant Pipal Dass Ji.

              He was a scholar of Punjabi and well-wersed in the Bani of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Slowly the people from nearby villages started coming to Baba Ji for spiritual guidance. Thus Sant Baba Pipal Dass Ji established the Dera in the village where the followers of Guru Ravidass Ji started paying their obeisance. Throughout his life Sant Baba Pipal Dass Ji blessed his disciples with "Naamdaan" and fulfilled their wishes.
       

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