Pune Airport To Be Named After Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj

Maharashtra government approved a proposal to name Pune airport as Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Pune International Airport.

Airport renaming proposal put forward last month

Last month, Murlidhar Mohol proposed naming the airport after the 17th-century saint, noting that Lohegaon, where the airport is situated, was the village of Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s mother. 

Procedure to Change Name

• According to the procedure, the state government submits the proposal to the central government, which then makes the final decision.
• To rename an airport, a resolution must first be approved by the state assembly. 
• It then requires approval from the Union cabinet before being officially notified in the Gazette of India.

About Sant Tukaram Maharaj

• 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 Warkari (Varkari) sampradaya which venerates the god Vithoba. 
• He was part of the egalitarian, personalized Varkari devotionalism tradition.

Abhangas

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.