A family that binds us with Varkari Sampradhaya throughout the world.Sri Tukaram Ganapati Maharaj, Adhikari of the Samsthan along with Uttharadhikaari his son and Shishya, Sri Raghunathdas Maharaj travels around the world spreading the words of the Marati saints. They hail from the village Kadayanallur in Tirunelveli district. Vittal Vihar is the small mandir and home of them. Following the instructions of Sri Krishna Premi Maharaj the Guru of Sri Tukaram Ganapati Maharaj, he stared learning Abhangs and slowly found his Varakari Sadguru, Sri Baba Maharaj Satarkar in a Harikeerthan in Pandarpur and started following him and learnt all the nuances of Varkari Sampradaya therein. Now every year hundreds of South Indians with the guidance of Sri Tukaram Ganapati Maharaj and Sri Raghunathdas Maharaj go along with them for the Varkari Yaathra.
The activities of VISHWA VARAKARI SAMSTHAN are:
To spread the Bhakthi cult through discourses and bhajans in every nook and corner of the world.
Protection of orphaned Cows (Go-Samrakshana) – Cows are to be protected even if they are not yielding milk. This is equal to taking care of one’s parents at their old age. Hence Shri Tukaram Ganapathi Maharaj is maintaining a Goshala, to take care of old cows through a trust by name, Go Samrakshana Trust, which is a non-profitable organisation. At present, this Goshala provides shelter, fodder and medical care for 45+ Cows past their milk yielding age.
To give Naamadeeksha (making people chant Bhagavannaama) irrespective of caste, creed, religion.Samsthan organises to take along many numbers of devotees to take part in VARAKARI YATRA from Alandhi to Pandharpur during Ashadi Ekadashi.
To conduct Akhanda Sankeerthana Mela, Lekur Vihar (classes for kids), Parivar Classes (Abhang classes), Abhang shibir (residential camps and Non-Residential Camp). Every year an Abhang Mela is conducted at Kadayanallur, in which many Bhagavathas from different parts of India render their divine programmes. Bhagavatha Mela has been organised in various holy places like Pandarpur, Alandi, Paitan and Shringeri
To Train Keerthankars for spreading the Varakari Sampradaya and give them Deeksha (authorization).Propagation of Varakari Sampradhaya through correspondence course in the name of “DnyanSagar” is conducted by Samsthan. Also Naama Prachaar is done through Sant Charithram (life history of saints) books, CDs and VCDs of Harikeerthan by Maharaj. A monthly periodical in the name of “MARGADHARSHAN” is being run by the Samsthan which renders Marathi Santh Charithram, works of Azhwars&Nayanmars, Bhagavad Gita, Abhangs and other interesting divine dharmic works.
As we would have heard thousands of times as Namasankeerthan is the only easiest weapon that can help person to emerge as the winner against all forms of evil in the world and establish bhakthi.
Vishwa Varakari aims at spreading spirituality through:-
Akhanda Nama Sankirthan (Non-stop NamaSankirtan) conducted annually
Bhagavatha Mela being organised in various holy places like Pandarpur, Alandi,Paithan, Shringeri.
Naama Prachaar through books, CDs and VCDs of Harikeerthan by Maharaj
Shri. Tukaram Ganapathi Maharaj, the Founder and Adhikari of Vishwa Varakari Samsthan, hails from Kadayanallur, a village in Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu. Being born in a pious family of devotion to chanting bhajans, Guru Maharaj too, had a deep flair, in singing bhajans from childhood.
Spiritual Journey :
Under the auspicious guidance of his Guru, Shri Krishna Premi Maharaj, his enlightenment deemed ripe for mastership. Knowing his natural passion for Bhajans, his Guruji directed him, to learn Marathi Abhangs and Varakari Sampradaya, a widely practised tradition in Maharashtra. He collected cassettes of Hari Bhakta Parayan, Shri. Baba Maharaj Satarkar, who holds the distinction of 150-year heritage of performing Varakari Sampradaya Harikeertan. Listening to the cassettes, he learnt Marathi Abhangs and his perseverance in learning, led him to an unmatched grip of the Varakari Sampradaya.
Shri. Baba Maharaj Satarkar was astonished to find the proficiency with which Shri. Tukaram Ganapathy Maharaj, chanted the Marathi Abhangs, when they both met each other first. In an assembly of 50,000 devotees, in front of Shri.Dehukar, the 10th descendant of Jagadguru Tukaram Maharaj, at Dudivare, Shri.Baba Maharaj gave him Deeksha (Initiation) to start Vishwa Varakari Samsthan and authorized him, the ‘Adhikari’ of Vishwa Varakari Samsthan.
Furthermore, his chanting of Harikeertan, in its native form, made Dr. Sadanand Shridhar More, of The Dehu Samasthan of Maharashtra, who is the tenth Descendant of Jagadguru Shri Tukaram Maharaj, provide the Authority of Documents (‘Shuddha Patrika’).
He started his unbounded Spiritual Journey thereupon.
Shri Tukaram Ganapathi Maharaj, performed Abhang Harikeertan, travelling extensively, throughout India and to countries, viz., USA, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Dubai, Great Britain, Quwait, Bahrain and Omen, setting aside his own priorities, for the sake of welfare of the world.
Through his performance of Abhang Harikeertan, with unconditional devotion to Lord Vittal, he electrified the atmosphere and inspired many to turn to spiritualism. He gave deeksha to his virtuous son, Shri Raghunath Doss Maharaj, and authorized him, the Uthradhikari of Vishwa Varakari Samsthan. So far, thousands of devotees in TamilNadu alone, have taken Deeksha from him, after willingly taking oath for the duties of Varakaris.
Awards and accolades
Shri. Tukaram Ganapathi Maharaj has been bestowed awards by many prominent organisations. To name a few
The recognition award by the Pennsylvania State University in appreciation for his performance.
The title "Sankeertana Kesari" by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal, the 36th illustrious lineage of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetam, Shringeri
"Bhagavatha Kainkaryamani" award by Maharaja of Travancore.
