Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj: Apostle of Cleanliness in Maharashtra

Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj, also known as Sant Gadge Maharaj and Sant Gadge Baba, is one of the famous social reformers of Maharashtra. A contemporary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, he was one of the influential preachers of cleanliness and hygiene hundreds of years before Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in India.

Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj Birth and Family

The original name of Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj is Debuji Zhingraji Janorkar. He was born on 23 February 1876, in Shendgaon village in the Amravati district in Maharashtra, in a low-caste family belonging to the Dhobi clan. His father’s name was Zingraji, and his mother’s name was Sakhubai.

His father died early, and he went to live in his maternal father’s house in Dapuri in Murtizapur taluka. He spent his childhood and early youth there. His maternal uncle owned large acres of farmland. There, he became an excellent farmer, herdsman, singer, and swimmer. Soon, he was married to Kuntabai, with whom he had four children.

In 1892, Debuji married Kuntabai. He had four children. On 1 February 1905, he renounced his worldly life and accepted the life of an ascetic.

How did Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj get his name?

Debuji, as an ascetic, traveled extensively. He wore torn clothes and covered his head with an earthen pot while eating. This pot, known as “gadge” in Marathi, led to him being called “Gadge” Baba (baba means Father in Marathi/Hindi). Soon, he was referred to as Gadge Baba, Gadge Maharaj, Sant Gadge Maharaj, and Sant Gadge Baba.

Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj Passion for Cleanliness

Gadge Baba frequently traveled between villages, always carrying a broom. Upon entering a village, he would sweep it clean and start cleaning gutters and roads. His goal was to promote community hygiene and eliminate superstitious beliefs from society. Through his actions, he conveyed the message of cleanliness, not just through words but also through practical examples. He emphasized the importance of cleanliness and maintaining hygiene.

Preaching of Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj

Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj devoted his entire life in spreading the social message. As part of his preaching he organized Kirtans. In these kirtans he emphasized values like service to humanity and compassion. He exhorted people to stop animal sacrifice as part of religious rituals and campaigned against vices such as alcohol abuse. He emphasized on hard work, simple living and selfless service to the poor. His sermons would be simple and straightforward. His sermons would include simple lessons like don’t steal, don’t take loans from moneylenders, don’t become addicts, don’t kill animals in the name of god and religion, don’t follow caste differentiation and social quarantining. He would often recite couplets or dohas of Sant Kabir.

Though he considers Sant Tukaram as his spiritual guru. He himself did not want to be a guru nor did he make any disciples. Prabodhankar Thackeray, who wrote Gadgebaba’s biography, had this to say –

“He would entrance people from all walks of life, from the village ignoramus to the slick urbanites, and convince them of his ideology. I find myself incapable of accurately describing his Kirtan”.

Social Reformer

Soon the followers of Gadge Baba rose in numbers. Wherever he used to go, people used to assemble and used to listen to him. Followers also started to give alms or donate money to him. From this public money he built educational institutions, dharamshalas, hospitals and animal shelters. He established a number of educational institutions, religious schools. He also established charitable rest houses for travelers known as dharamshalas.  Health was an important point in his drive of cleanliness. Hence he also established a number of dispensaries particular for the poor, homes for the orphans and the handicapped, and served the lepers.

Interaction with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was contemporary and belonged to a similar region and had a similar socio-cultural background. Both influenced and admired each other. What Baba was preaching through social interaction, Amedkar was doing the same through political intervention.

Gadge Baba had met Ambedkar many times. Ambedkar used to meet him frequently and discuss social reform. Gadge Baba had donated the building of his hostel at Pandharpur to the People’s Education Society founded by Dr Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar had described him as the greatest servant of the people after Jyotirao Phule.

Death on 20 December, 1956

Sant Gadge Baba Maharaj died on December 20, 1956 on his way to Amravati, on the banks of river Pedhi near Valgaon. Noteworthy to mention that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar died on 6 December 1956.

Legacy

In the honour of Sant Gadge Baba, the Government of Maharashtra started the Sant Gadge Baba Gram Swachata Abhiyan project in the year 2000. This programme awards prizes to villagers, who maintain clean villages.In addition, the Government of India instituted a National Award for Sanitation and Water in his honour. The University of Amravati has also been named in his honour.

Also read: Comprehensive and Brief History of Modern India Book by Brijesh Singh

Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra