Sant Tukaram Temple

In News

• The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Sant Tukaram Shila Mandir in the temple town of Dehu in Pune district.

About the Shila Mandir

• Shila refers to a rock: that is currently on the Dehu Sansthan temple premises, and that for centuries has been the starting point of Wari, the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
• The Bhakti saint Sant Tukaram had sat on this piece of rock for 13 continuous days when challenged about the authenticity of the Abhyangs he had written.

Sant Tukaram

• Sant Tukaram Maharaj was a 17th-century Marathi poet, and Hindu saint popularly known as Tuka, Tukobaraya, Tukoba in Maharashtra.
• He was a Sant of Varkari sampradaya: which venerates the god Vithoba in Maharashtra.
• Abhanga: Tukaram is best known for his devotional poetry called Abhanga and community-oriented worship with spiritual songs known as kirtans.
• The Warkari sect: Sant Tukaram and his work are central to the Warkari sect spread across Maharashtra.
• Wari pilgrimage: Sant Tukaram is credited with starting the Wari pilgrimage.
  • The Wari sees lakhs of devotees congregating in the temple towns of Dehu and Alandi to accompany the padukas of Sant Tukaram and Sant Dyaneshwar respectively as they start for Pandharpur.
• Social reforms: Tukaram accepted disciples and devotees without discriminating gender.
  • Casteless society: His message about a casteless society and his denial of rituals had led to a social movement.

Significance of visit

• This will be PM’s first visit to the temple: Traditionally, the Warkari sect has been courted by all political parties. Various influential leaders of the sect had taken a stance on various issues but steered away from politics directly.

Source: IE