Gadge Maharaj

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Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar (February 13, 1876 - December 20, 1956), popularly known as Sant Gadge Maharaj or Gadge Baba was born in Shedgaon village in Amaravati District of Maharashtra. He was a saintly social reformer, a wandering mendicant who held weekly festivals with the help of his disciples across Maharashtra. His reforms and visions for villages in India is still a source of inspiration for various political parties and non-government organizations.

When he saw the sorrow in the life of poor he decided to devote his life for the common man. He saw poverty and faith of common man in religion , so he built many Dharmashala (free inn), so that poor people can avail the facility. He built banks of rivers(ghat) at pilgrimage. The construction work was done through small donation from common man. He was illiterate and yet he possessed great vision. He always stressed the need of education. He enlightened the masses through devotionals called kirtana in which he preached them 'not to take unnecessary loans, not to believe in superstitions, not get addicted by habits like liquor.'

Gadge was a big man who dressed to attract attention. He wore his eating pan on his head and always carried a broom in his hands. He has been called 'The Do-It-Yourself Preacher'. He traveled across the length and breadth of India. On arrival in a village he would lead his entourage in briskly sweeping the streets clean. His mornings invariably began with 2 hours of sweeping and cleaning. Not a drop of water passed his lips until he had done that. He affected people everywhere. Money poured in for his projects. He built inns, schools, animal shelters and medical centres that thrive till this day. Yet he stayed rarely for more than a couple of days at any place. He was forever in a hurry and on a mission. His meetings --satsangs-- would begin with a token nod to God and quickly arrive at his pet themes. His mantra was "Give". He used to say: "Give food to the hungry, shelter to the needy, clothes to the naked, protection to animals and trees, aid for girls' marriages".

His philosophy was,

"Live clean and simple. Shun intoxicants. Care for the environment."

Gadge Maharaj dedicated his life to the fight against social injustice. He died on December 20, 1956 on his way to Amravati, on the banks of river Pedhi near Valgaon.

[edit] References

• Government of Maharashtra Article
• Amravati Information
• GoodNewsIndia