->Rajathi 123 at 16:27, 21 December 2021

2021-12-21T16:27:55Z

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{{Infobox philosopher
| name = Gadge Maharaj
| image = Gadgemaharaj.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| caption =
| birth_name = Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar
| birth_date = {{birth date|1876|2|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Shendgaon Village, [[Amravati]], [[Maharashtra]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1956|12|20|1876|2|13}}
| death_place = [[Amravati]], India
| main_interests = [[Religion]], [[Kirtan]]s, [[Ethics]]
| books =
| influences = [[B. R. Ambedkar]], [[Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil]], [[Bhaurao Krishnaji Gaikwad]], [[Tukdoji Maharaj]] and [[Meher Baba]]
| signature =
| signature_size =
| website ={{URL|https://www.sgbau.ac.in/}}
}}
'''Gadge Maharaj''' (23 February 1876 - 20 December 1956; also known as '''Sant Gadge Maharaj''' or '''Sant Gadge Baba''') was an Indian [[mendicant]]-saint and social reformer from the Indian state of [[Maharashtra]]. He lived in voluntary poverty and wandered to different villages promoting social justice and initiating reforms, especially related to sanitation. He is still revered by the common people in India and remains a source of inspiration for various political parties and non-government organizations.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kulkarni|first1=Sudheendra|title=An icon for Swachh Bharat: To sustain the abhiyan, we should draw inspiration from beloved saint-reformers like Sant Gadge Maharaj|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/an-icon-for-swachh-bharat/|accessdate=10 February 2018|work=The Indian Express|date=24 February 2015}}</ref>

== Life and career ==

His original name was Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar. He was born in [[Shendgaon]] village in present-day [[Anjangaon|Anjangaon Surji]] Taluka in [[Amravati]] District of Maharashtra to a [[Dhobi]] family.<ref>
http://socialreformers.sgbaulib.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50:gadge-babas-family-background&catid=34:about-sant-gadge-baba</ref><ref name="MiltonWagle">{{cite book|title=Religion and Society in Maharashtra|editor=Milton Israel and N.K.Wagle|publisher=Center for South Asian Studies, University of Toronto, Canada|year= 1987}}</ref>{{efn|name=fn2|quote on page 138:Gadge Maharaj or Gadge Baba(1876-1956) was born in a family of the Washerman caste upper shudra caste in the district of Daryapur, not too far from the town of Riddhipur in Gautam Raul lived seven centuries earlier}}
A public teacher, he travelled from one place to another wearing his food pan upturned on his head and carrying his trademark broom. When he entered a village, he would instantly start cleaning the gutters and roads of the village. He also told the citizens of the village that their congratulations would have to wait until his work was done. Villagers gave him money, babaji used that for progress of physical as well as thinking of society. From the obtained money, Maharaj built educational institutions, dharmashalas, hospitals and animal shelters.

He conducted his discourses in the form of "[[Kirtan]]s" in which he would emphasize values like service to humanity and compassion. During his Kirtans, he would educate people against blind faiths and rituals. He would use Dohas (couplets of a song) by Saint Kabir in his discourses.{{cn|date=August 2016}}

He exhorted people to stop animal sacrifice as part of religious rituals and campaigned against vices such as alcohol abuse.

He tried to embody the values that he preached: hard work, simple living and selfless service to the poor. He abandoned his family (a wife and three children) to pursue this path.<ref>G.N. Dandekar (2009). ''Shree Gadge Maharaj''. Translated by P.J. Godbole. Published by
Mrunmayee Prakashan.</ref>

Maharaj met the spiritual teacher [[Meher Baba]] several times. Meher Baba indicated that Maharaj was one of his favourite saints<ref>Kalchuri, Bhau (1986). ''Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher''. '''14'''. Myrtle Beach: Manifestation, Inc. pp. 4924.</ref> and that Maharaj was on the sixth plane of consciousness.<ref>Kalchuri, Bhau (1986). ''Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher''. '''1'''. Myrtle Beach: Manifestation, Inc. p.190.</ref> Maharaj invited Meher Baba to Pandharpur, India, and on 6 November 1954 thousands of people had Maharaj and Meher Baba's darshan.<ref>Kalchuri, Bhau (1986). ''Meher Prabhu: Lord Meher''. '''13'''. Myrtle Beach: Manifestation, Inc. pp. 4571-77.</ref>

==Relation with Ambedkar==

[[File:Dr. Ambedkar with Saint Gadge Baba (social reformer from Vidarbha), Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil (famous educationist and social worker from Satara), Dadasaheb Gaikwad.jpg|thumb|left|[[B. R. Ambedkar]], [[Bhaurao Patil]] with Gadge Maharaj]]

Gadge Baba was highly influenced by [[B. R. Ambedkar|Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar]]. The reason for this was that the social reform work he was doing by preaching to the people through his "[[kirtan]]", Dr. Ambedkar was doing the same through politics. He was impressed by Babasaheb's personality and work. Gaadge Baba had donated the building of his hostel at Pandharpur to the People’s Education Society founded by Dr Ambedkar. He used to cite the example of Ambedkar while urging the people to get educated. "Look, how Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar became such a learned man by dint of sheer hard work. Education is not the monopoly of any class or caste. The son of a poor man can also obtain many degrees." Gadge Baba had met Ambedkar many times. Ambedkar used to meet him frequently and discuss social reform. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had described him as the greatest servant of the people after [[Jyotirao Phule]].<ref>Sant Gaadge Baba and Dr Ambedkar https://www.forwardpress.in/2017/02/sant-gaadge-baba-and-dr-ambedkar/?amp</ref><ref>Gadge Baba and Quest For Social Justice https://velivada.com/2020/02/24/gadge-baba-and-quest-for-social-justice/</ref>

==Death and legacy==
[[File:Gadge Maharaj Statue, Gadge Maharaj Dharmashala, Medical Square, Nagpur - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Gadge Baba Statue [[Nagpur]]]]
Maharaj died on 20 December 1956 on his way to [[Amravati]], on the banks of river Pedhi near [[Walgaon]].{{cn|date=August 2016}} The Government of Maharashtra started the Sant Gadge baba Gram Swachata Abhiyan project in 2000-01 in his honour. This programme awards prizes to villagers, who maintain clean villages.{{cn|date=August 2016}} In addition, the Government of India instituted a National Award for Sanitation and Water in his honour.{{cn|date=May 2018}}
The [[Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University|University of Amravati]] has also been named in his honour.

==Honors==
[[File:Gadge Maharaj 1998 stamp of India.jpg|240px|center|Gadge Maharaj on a 1998 stamp of India]]

The postal department of India had honored Gadge Maharaj by issuing a commemorative stamp in his name.<ref>Gadge Baba and Quest For Social Justice https://velivada.com/2020/02/24/gadge-baba-and-quest-for-social-justice/</ref><ref>Sant Gaadge Baba and Dr Ambedkar https://www.forwardpress.in/2017/02/sant-gaadge-baba-and-dr-ambedkar/?amp</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Maharaj, Gadge}}
[[Category:1956 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:1876 births]]
[[Category:Indian social reformers]]
[[Category:Ambedkarites]]
[[Category:Activists from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:People from Amravati district]]
[[Category:Marathi Hindu saints]]

Gadge Maharaj - Revision history

->Rajathi 123 at 16:27, 21 December 2021