Need for the universal teachings of Sant Tukaram

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The thoughts expressed by Sant Tukaram Maharaj hundreds of years ago are universal, and the modern world needs these teachings that emphasise moral values, said descendant of Sant Tukaram and a commentator on saint literature, Prashant Maharaj More.

The department of history, archaeology and liberal arts at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University has been organising the History Festival since 2015 in memory of the department’s first head, prof R. S. Gupte. The festival was inaugurated on Tuesday at the history museum by former pro-vice chancellor Dr Pravin Wakte. Prof Dulari Qureshi presided over the programme. Head of the department Dr Geetanjali Borade and Prashant Maharaj More were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the topic ‘The Bhakti tradition of Marathwada’, Prashant Maharaj More shared his insights with the audience. In his inaugural address, Dr Pravin Wakte said that Marathwada is the land of saints, and there had been a demand since 1981 to establish a Sant Peeth to showcase this tradition to the world. The Sant Peeth was eventually started at Paithan in 2021–22, where subjects such as the Warkari tradition and Eknathi Bhagwat are being taught.

The presidential address was delivered by prof Qureshi. The introductory remarks were presented by head of the department Dr Geetanjali Borade. In the afternoon session, kirtankar Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Bandgar of the Warkari sect from Sangola spoke on ‘The social contribution of Warkari saints in Marathwada’.

The programme was compered by Dr Swarnamala Mhaske, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Rahul Bachate. Dr Kumar Bhavar, Dr Amol Kulkarni, Sudhir Balkhande, Machhindra Chaudhary, Dr Kamaji Dak, Dr Ravi Gavande and Dr Sachin Borade contributed to organising the event.

Photo caption:

Former pro-vice chancellor Dr Pravin Vakte, Prashant Maharaj More, Dr Geetanjali Borade and other dignitaries at the inauguration of the History Festival at the university’s history museum.